BATTERY CONDITIONER for ZL1... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stymie · 01-07-2014, 10:24 AM

I have used the SEARCH function, but I'm wondering what the current, best solution in COLD climates is to keep my battery charged.

Quick Question about GM part #20929740... a battery trickle charger/conditioner for the 2011-2013 CORVETTE. I sent GM an e-mail regarding it asking: will this unit function in a 2012 ZL1 Camaro too? Their response: NO way of telling if it will work in BOTH vehicles! WTF? On one end there's the cable with standard cigarette lighter socket PLUG... err, 12v power accessory socket PLUG (as used for RADAR detectors & cell phones), the "conditioner" UNIT & a short extension cord with standard 110v plug for a wall outlet.
I'm pretty sure the plugs on both ends will fit. My questions is: in a 2012 ZL1... is the accessory power socket LIVE even when the KEYED ignition switch is NOT set to "accessory"? If it is LIVE, it should meet my needs. If I have to insert a key & rotate it to accessory, I will have to find another solution.
Thanks for any helpful advice on this part & have a most excellent NEW YEAR. It's been well below ZERO here with SNOW, so I cannot drive the car w/o damaging the TIRES to keep the battery charged.

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?addtocart=1&addpartnumber=20929740&sin glepart=1&partnumber=20929740

ISurvivednmu · 01-07-2014, 10:30 AM

I would buy a CTEK. They seem to be currently the best smartcharger out there on the market. They have a setting to put the charger in a cold weather charge for under 41 degrees.

Here is some info on them and pictures.

Stephen12ZL1 · 01-07-2014, 10:30 AM

Get a battery tender and use one of the provided ends to connect to the underhood positive lug and nearby strut tower bolt for a ground. Plug it in and forget about it. It maintains charge very well. http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender.../dp/B00068XCQU

G Money · 01-07-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISurvivednmu

I would buy a CTEK. They seem to be currently the best smartcharger out there on the market. They have a setting to put the charger in a cold weather charge for under 41 degrees.

Here is some info on them and pictures.

+ 1 Works great !

lbls1 · 01-07-2014, 10:54 AM

I am trying out the Deltran Solar Battery Charger as we speak. I hope it works!

SamHouseIII · 01-07-2014, 11:12 AM

I use the battery tender brand, but the smaller version. Picked it up at Walmart.

tpower · 01-07-2014, 11:31 AM

I have a CTEK on the Caddy and Battery Tender on the ZL1 no issues

stymie · 01-07-2014, 11:41 AM

Thanks for those suggestions!

QUESTION: Is the interior 12v power accessory "socket" LIVE without having a key in the ignition rotated to "accessory-mode"? Does it matter if the ALARM is activated with the doors locked & the windows going up that final 1/2"?

I would PREFER to just use the interior 12v accessory power socket for simplicity's sake (lack of space too in cramped confines; small garage). Folks who own late model Corvettes seem to like this product for convenience sake. I just don't know if the ZL1's socket is LIVE all the time; I'm assuming it is LIVE for the Corvette.

THANKS!

stymie · 01-07-2014, 11:44 AM

The charger for the Corvette (hopefully, the ZL1 will work with it) looks like this...

Sickness91Z28 · 01-07-2014, 12:02 PM

http://www.geniuschargers.com/G3500

I went with this one, love it. Has a mode for 32 degrees and below as well

ISurvivednmu · 01-07-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stymie

The charger for the Corvette (hopefully, the ZL1 will work with it) looks like this...

You see that its a CTEK charger right?

64stingray · 01-07-2014, 12:28 PM

the 12v. accessory sockets are only alive as long as the switch is on or the retained power is on which is 10 minutes after you turn the ignition off or until you open the door. after that, no power to either sockets.

Badbubba · 01-07-2014, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64stingray

the 12v. accessory sockets are only alive as long as the switch is on or the retained power is on which is 10 minutes after you turn the ignition off or until you open the door. after that, no power to either sockets.

Yep.

Normagene · 01-07-2014, 01:47 PM

I went w/the BT Jr, $25 at Walmart.com. Which is $12 less than in-store, placed my order and got an email back 15 minutes later telling me to pick it up at my local Walmart. Crazy it cost $12 more if I just walked in and grabbed it off the shelf??? Instead I went to the on-line pickup area in the back and somebody rang it up and out the door I went. Works great!

01-07-2014, 10:24 AM	#1
stymie Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: KC, MO Posts: 438	BATTERY CONDITIONER for ZL1... I have used the SEARCH function, but I'm wondering what the current, best solution in COLD climates is to keep my battery charged. Quick Question about GM part #20929740... a battery trickle charger/conditioner for the 2011-2013 CORVETTE. I sent GM an e-mail regarding it asking: will this unit function in a 2012 ZL1 Camaro too? Their response: NO way of telling if it will work in BOTH vehicles! WTF? On one end there's the cable with standard cigarette lighter socket PLUG... err, 12v power accessory socket PLUG (as used for RADAR detectors & cell phones), the "conditioner" UNIT & a short extension cord with standard 110v plug for a wall outlet. I'm pretty sure the plugs on both ends will fit. My questions is: in a 2012 ZL1... is the accessory power socket LIVE even when the KEYED ignition switch is NOT set to "accessory"? If it is LIVE, it should meet my needs. If I have to insert a key & rotate it to accessory, I will have to find another solution. Thanks for any helpful advice on this part & have a most excellent NEW YEAR. It's been well below ZERO here with SNOW, so I cannot drive the car w/o damaging the TIRES to keep the battery charged. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?addtocart=1&addpartnumber=20929740&sin glepart=1&partnumber=20929740

01-07-2014, 10:30 AM	#3
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	Get a battery tender and use one of the provided ends to connect to the underhood positive lug and nearby strut tower bolt for a ground. Plug it in and forget about it. It maintains charge very well. http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender.../dp/B00068XCQU __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

01-07-2014, 10:54 AM	#5
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,022	I am trying out the Deltran Solar Battery Charger as we speak. I hope it works! __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

01-07-2014, 11:12 AM	#6
SamHouseIII I Carry! Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fletcher, Ok Posts: 2,722	I use the battery tender brand, but the smaller version. Picked it up at Walmart. __________________ I am a Modaholic!! Please Help!! Do Not feed my addicition....See build... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261540 From Oklahoma, Join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/okcamaros/

01-07-2014, 11:31 AM	#7
tpower DBLCHBY III Drives: 15 1LE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Team Canada Posts: 2,789	I have a CTEK on the Caddy and Battery Tender on the ZL1 no issues __________________

01-07-2014, 11:41 AM	#8
stymie Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: KC, MO Posts: 438	Thanks for those suggestions! QUESTION: Is the interior 12v power accessory "socket" LIVE without having a key in the ignition rotated to "accessory-mode"? Does it matter if the ALARM is activated with the doors locked & the windows going up that final 1/2"? I would PREFER to just use the interior 12v accessory power socket for simplicity's sake (lack of space too in cramped confines; small garage). Folks who own late model Corvettes seem to like this product for convenience sake. I just don't know if the ZL1's socket is LIVE all the time; I'm assuming it is LIVE for the Corvette. THANKS!

01-07-2014, 11:44 AM	#9
stymie Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: KC, MO Posts: 438	The charger for the Corvette (hopefully, the ZL1 will work with it) looks like this...

01-07-2014, 12:02 PM	#10
Sickness91Z28 Reaper Crew Drives: Blown 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 985	http://www.geniuschargers.com/G3500 I went with this one, love it. Has a mode for 32 degrees and below as well __________________ 2010 Camaro SS SLP TVS2300 Blower, Blower Cam, Lingenfelter Heads, Meth Injected, 5lbs of Boost@700 BHP Pedders XA Coilovers

01-07-2014, 12:28 PM	#12
64stingray Drives: 64vette,2010 2SS,2013 Zl1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: kanata,on,can. Posts: 89	the 12v. accessory sockets are only alive as long as the switch is on or the retained power is on which is 10 minutes after you turn the ignition off or until you open the door. after that, no power to either sockets.

01-07-2014, 01:47 PM	#14
Normagene Drives: 2013 Ashen Gray M6 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: South Eastern, Mass Posts: 2,615 View My Garage	I went w/the BT Jr, $25 at Walmart.com. Which is $12 less than in-store, placed my order and got an email back 15 minutes later telling me to pick it up at my local Walmart. Crazy it cost $12 more if I just walked in and grabbed it off the shelf??? Instead I went to the on-line pickup area in the back and somebody rang it up and out the door I went. Works great!