Battery Tender without outlet - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CarlZL1 · 10-19-2013, 08:14 AM

Hello everyone!

I just bought my Camaro SS this summer and it will be my first time storing it during the winter. The self-storage facility unfortunately does not have an electrical outlet for my battery tender. I was wondering could I hook it up to a portable battery supply (which I will bring home and recharge weekly)? I heard disconnecting the battery is not a good idea because it resets all the electronics.

Please advise and thanks in advance!

Fred 6528 · 10-19-2013, 08:23 AM

Is there anyway to go with the solar panel to charge it

CarlZL1 · 10-19-2013, 08:28 AM

Unfortunately no. The area is enclosed completely and won't have access to sunlight.

angryv6 · 10-19-2013, 09:23 AM

This^^^

VR Code R6P · 10-19-2013, 09:32 AM

Just go drive it once a month when the roads are nice and dry. It is better for the car than sitting all the time.

1sicss · 10-19-2013, 09:36 AM

stored mine in a storage unit last year, no tender needed just go and start it about once a week, not good to let a car sit for months with out starting them.

Goober · 10-19-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sicss

stored mine in a storage unit last year, no tender needed just go and start it about once a week, not good to let a car sit for months with out starting them.

It's not a good idea to just start a car once a week unless you drive it for a while and let it get to full operating temp. It is actually better to not start the car at all. At least this is what I've heard. Tender is the way to go.

Netraa · 10-19-2013, 10:23 AM

Here is a better idea... Move down to Texas. Last year, I was driving around in my convertible with the top down in January in short sleeves.

1sicss · 10-19-2013, 06:56 PM

Goober

Quote:

It's not a good idea to just start a car once a week unless you drive it for a while and let it get to full operating temp. It is actually better to not start the car at all. At least this is what I've heard. Tender is the way to go

all I know is the longer a car sits the more the oil left in the top of the motor drains to the pan making for a dryer start , I also let it run until it got to operating temp, and moved it back and forth inside the unit(shifting the auto trans thru the gears) and drove it on days the streets were clean and dry. this year she's home sweet home in the garage

LS1hawk · 10-19-2013, 07:37 PM

Don't start it once it's stored. If you really want to keep the battery charged take it with you. Not too hard to set the time and date in the spring.

RollaMo · 10-19-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goober

It's not a good idea to just start a car once a week unless you drive it for a while and let it get to full operating temp. It is actually better to not start the car at all. At least this is what I've heard. Tender is the way to go.

You heard correctly

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sicss

Goober all I know is the longer a car sits the more the oil left in the top of the motor drains to the pan making for a dryer start , I also let it run until it got to operating temp, and moved it back and forth inside the unit(shifting the auto trans thru the gears) and drove it on days the streets were clean and dry. this year she's home sweet home in the garage

Getting it out and actually driving it, is the way to go.

Without getting everything (engine oil, trans fluid, and even exhaust system) up to operating temps, you run the very real risk of just causing more long term wear.
Cold temps and initial start ups will create condensation in the fluids and exhaust system.
If you don't get the fluids up to temp, that condensation will lead to sludge creation.
And condensation is bad for the exhaust system as well.

Starting it up and idling, or even moving it back and forth inside the unit will not get everything up to the proper operating temps.

If you can't get the car out and drive it for a good 10-15 miles, your better off just letting it sit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1hawk

Don't start it once it's stored. If you really want to keep the battery charged take it with you. Not too hard to set the time and date in the spring.

flyinlow · 10-19-2013, 10:47 PM

Disconnect the battery, its not going to hurt anything. Yes, you will have to reprogram your clock.

midnighter · 10-19-2013, 10:54 PM

Battery tender without outlet is like party without hot girls, "worthless".

menendez1293 · 10-19-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyinlow

Disconnect the battery, its not going to hurt anything. Yes, you will have to reprogram your clock.

I would agree with this unless you need to pass emissions. When you pull your battery all of that gets rest and you need to do a lot of driving cycles to pass again. Much simpler to just put a tender on it.

Note I am talking about people who are modded and tuned

10-19-2013, 08:14 AM	#1
CarlZL1 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Windsor Posts: 3	Battery Tender without outlet Hello everyone! I just bought my Camaro SS this summer and it will be my first time storing it during the winter. The self-storage facility unfortunately does not have an electrical outlet for my battery tender. I was wondering could I hook it up to a portable battery supply (which I will bring home and recharge weekly)? I heard disconnecting the battery is not a good idea because it resets all the electronics. Please advise and thanks in advance!

10-19-2013, 09:36 AM	#6
1sicss Drives: 2011 camaro 2ss/rs Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: stone's throw from lake erie in ohio Posts: 203 View My Garage	stored mine in a storage unit last year, no tender needed just go and start it about once a week, not good to let a car sit for months with out starting them. __________________

10-19-2013, 07:37 PM	#10
LS1hawk Drives: 11 SGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PA Posts: 479	Don't start it once it's stored. If you really want to keep the battery charged take it with you. Not too hard to set the time and date in the spring. __________________

10-19-2013, 08:23 AM	#2
Fred 6528 Drives: 2011 ss Join Date: May 2013 Location: va Posts: 983	Is there anyway to go with the solar panel to charge it

10-19-2013, 08:28 AM	#3
CarlZL1 Drives: Camaro 2ss Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Windsor Posts: 3	Unfortunately no. The area is enclosed completely and won't have access to sunlight.

10-19-2013, 09:23 AM	#4
angryv6 Lake Erie Monster Drives: 02 Hyundai Santa Fe and 13 300 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 917	This^^^

10-19-2013, 09:32 AM	#5
VR Code R6P Drives: 2011 Race Red GT500 w/ SVT Perf Pkg Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: eastern CO Posts: 578	Just go drive it once a month when the roads are nice and dry. It is better for the car than sitting all the time.

10-19-2013, 10:23 AM	#8
Netraa Drives: 2014 2ss/rs Join Date: May 2012 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 293	Here is a better idea... Move down to Texas. Last year, I was driving around in my convertible with the top down in January in short sleeves.

10-19-2013, 10:47 PM	#12
flyinlow Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 568	Disconnect the battery, its not going to hurt anything. Yes, you will have to reprogram your clock.

10-19-2013, 10:54 PM	#13
midnighter Account Suspended Drives: nothing Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: a hole Posts: 17,906	Battery tender without outlet is like party without hot girls, "worthless".