Battery protection

[Swift93]

Is the battery protection option just a tender or does the factory do a more elegant installation and plugin?

[Boomer]

I assume the CTEK I have for my C7 can be used with the C8. It is "just a tender" the exact item of which can be bought cheaper in the secondary market. Don't know if the C8 tender will be different. Good question.

[Mobius]

I suspect it is the same as the C7 battery tender, just with the C8 logo.

I use the C7 battery tender very consistently, but IMHO there are better CTEK units available than the GM-licensed one, and at similar (or lower) prices.

CTEK also sells a cig lighter adapter, which I've used with another one of my CTEKs on my C7 - worked great, and I've used the RECONDITION mode with that CTEK unit on my 5+year old C7 battery, once a year.

I plan to use that (more advanced) CTEK with my C8.

Every time I get in the car, "I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar", thanks to CTEK.

[whl3]

Yes, there is a 12V plug in. I doubt if the car is equipped with just that plug-in if the option is not checked. Since the battery on the C8 is accessible under the "shelf" behind the "frunk", it may have easier access than was the battery on the C7 that was buried beneath the carpet in the right rear of the hatch. Yes, you can buy for less money, but the option is a "clean" installation and IMO, worth the $100.00.

[John]

Good question. I will add it to my NCM 25th Question Ask list. Thanks whl3!

[whl3]

John, on one of the pictures of the "frunk", I thought I saw the little flap covering the 12V plug-in adapter on one of its side walls!

[Mobius]

Yes, there is a 12V plug in. I doubt if the car is equipped with just that plug-in if the option is not checked.

That's a good point, but don't all C7s come with the trunk cig port for the battery tender, regardless if the battery protection package is selected?

I seem to recall that the C8 pics I've seen also have a trunk (or frunk) cig port.

Fortunately, John will get the definitive answer.

[brad66]

I think I've seen the port in a picture but don't remember where I saw it. It is on the passenger side of the vertical wall that runs along the wheel well.

[Teamzr1]

Car battery used to be 12 volts output,
Then due to all the current drain with the controllers having functions stored in a temp memory
newer batteries put out 13 volts and when engine running with Alt voltage is about mid 14 volts

Depending on this new B bus system and a lot more controllers drawing more current load

Question is, is C8 battery higher voltage output ?

if so older battery tender may not work correctly since it senses voltage levels to determine it's output to battery

So maybe worth finding this out to determine if off the shelf 3rd party tenders can be used or not

Maybe the photo I saw made it look like, but almost seemed the C8 battery was a bit longer ?

As to a tender I still prefer as with my other Corvettes is hardwire from battery posts wiring that then is routed to a outside under corner spot
so tender can be plugged in there and no need for opening/closing a hood, window, or hatch

[Boomer]

12 Volt plug-in like my C7 is all I need. Nothing more. Probably need the tender less since my C8 will come equipped with OEM AS tires.

[Bikerjulio]

Car battery used to be 12 volts output,
Then due to all the current drain with the controllers having functions stored in a temp memory
newer batteries put out 13 volts and when engine running with Alt voltage is about mid 14 volts

Depending on this new B bus system and a lot more controllers drawing more current load

Question is, is C8 battery higher voltage output ?

if so older battery tender may not work correctly since it senses voltage levels to determine it's output to battery

So maybe worth finding this out to determine if off the shelf 3rd party tenders can be used or not

Maybe the photo I saw made it look like, but almost seemed the C8 battery was a bit longer ?

As to a tender I still prefer as with my other Corvettes is hardwire from battery posts wiring that then is routed to a outside under corner spot
so tender can be plugged in there and no need for opening/closing a hood, window, or hatch

Sorry but this doesn't make sense. It's the alternator that puts out when the engine is running.

The resting rate of my newish battery is 12.4 V.

The charging voltage of my tender is 13.5 V and the voltmeter in the car will show 13.5-14 V when running.

These are nominal voltages that have been around almost forever with "12V" cars.

Oh and my car is a 2010.

[Teamzr1]

It is common for me since the C5s to see 13.2ish volts with the key off, parked and at the battery posts as shown below

When car is at idle, no HVAC or headlights on, common I see via OBD-II is around 14.4ish volts, as shown below

My point is people assuming their existing tender will be fine, might not in that theirs was designed to output from 1/2 to 1 AMP maximum

Since C8 has even more controllers, that have settings into temp memory then when a C8 is parked there could be even higher current draw
and requires a newer tender that has a higher current output so people may want to think about this and decide do they use their old tender,
get the one as a GM option
Or find a 3rd party one that meets the current draw C8 requires

Even more draw could be this GM auto controller software logic via wireless that means some controllers do not stay in a sleep mode and
when updating is done other controllers may wake up and draw more, plus the Onstar that is on

[V1 VR]

So many questions.........I’ll spend $100 and let it go. Who ever ends up with my C7 will get the C7 tender and me well I’ll just smile at the C8 when it gets plugged in with its new tender..... easy.

[ABorC]

That's a good point, but don't all C7s come with the trunk cig port for the battery tender, regardless if the battery protection package is selected?

I seem to recall that the C8 pics I've seen also have a trunk (or frunk) cig port.

Fortunately, John will get the definitive answer.

yes, all C7's have the port in the trunk regardless of whether you buy the ctek

[Racer86]

Sorry but this doesn't make sense. It's the alternator that puts out when the engine is running.

The resting rate of my newish battery is 12.4 V.

The charging voltage of my tender is 13.5 V and the voltmeter in the car will show 13.5-14 V when running.

These are nominal voltages that have been around almost forever with "12V" cars.

Oh and my car is a 2010.

Your “newish” battery is only charged to 75% if your battery voltage is 12.4 volts.