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Back in 2019 when I bought my ZR1 I posted a thread in that forum section about charging the car via underhood charge points (like BMW builds into their cars). The responses were helpful but more workarounds than factory-designed. Just recently I found online that there ARE designated charge/jump-start points under the C7's hood. Attached are pics of my ZR1 hooked up to my battery tender.
That post you "discovered" is true to be a direct connection to the battery BUT it cannot take a real battery charger connected to that spot. It'll do just fine and dandy with the C-tek battery maintainer but that's all the juice you can run at that point to the battery. I have my C-tek hooked up to that point and hook up every time I park it in the garage.
Doesn't the ZR1 already have the convenient built-in charging port in the back like other C7s?
- No, it's not at all convenient if you want to use a charger with conventional alligator clips. And it's not convenient if the charger you have hardmounted on the ceiling to service multiple vehicles in that particular bay cannot reach the trunk's port. Being able to charge (or jump) a car from the front or rear is convenient.
Originally Posted by eboggs_jkvl
That post you "discovered" is true to be a direct connection to the battery BUT it cannot take a real battery charger connected to that spot. It'll do just fine and dandy with the C-tek battery maintainer but that's all the juice you can run at that point to the battery. I have my C-tek hooked up to that point and hook up every time I park it in the garage.
- No, it's not at all convenient if you want to use a charger with conventional alligator clips. And it's not convenient if the charger you have hardmounted on the ceiling to service multiple vehicles in that particular bay cannot reach the trunk's port. Being able to charge (or jump) a car from the front or rear is convenient.
Considering all the personal obstacles you have listed I guess you are stuck will the underhood wiring connections. I believe for the most of us just connecting a battery tender's one cigarette plug in the charging port is pretty damn convenient.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 05-01-2021 at 12:45 AM.
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If it works for you, that’s what matters. I do not have to take into account the other issues you mention when connecting the battery tender to my car.
As a recent C7 owner (8 months), do the C7's have the same battery draining issues that the C6 did or are they better or worse?
So far, I've never experienced the problem with either car, but with a couple exceptions they've been driven more than once a week and maybe that's the difference.
As a recent C7 owner (8 months), do the C7's have the same battery draining issues that the C6 did or are they better or worse?
So far, I've never experienced the problem with either car, but with a couple exceptions they've been driven more than once a week and maybe that's the difference.
- I can't speak to C6s, but I've left my C7 ZR1 for over a month without a tender and it still fired up.
I use a magnetic connection to hook my c-tek up on the front. My wires from the magnetic connection go to the post that you show in your picture with the ground lead fastened to a fender ground post. If I forget to disconnect the c-tek, the magnetic connection just parts and the plug simply falls to the ground as I back out and I drive away without issues.
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 05-02-2021 at 08:09 PM.
Yes it does, but a lot of old guys refuse to use this option for some reason. Boomers…
My electrical connections are more convenient to be on the front of the car due to my garage configuration. I also don't want a wire connected that "might" be forgotten and drive away with the connection still intact. Boomer? Not really, just work with the situation, adapt and overcome the obstacles!
I guess I could back in to the garage but then I'd have to climb over the console and get out on the passenger side. Did I mention that I am 77 years old? Climb is not a strong word in my vocabulary at my age!
As a recent C7 owner (8 months), do the C7's have the same battery draining issues that the C6 did or are they better or worse?
So far, I've never experienced the problem with either car, but with a couple exceptions they've been driven more than once a week and maybe that's the difference.
I found my C6 was worse with the battery drain than my C7.
Significantly worse.
- I can't speak to C6s, but I've left my C7 ZR1 for over a month without a tender and it still fired up.
I deserted my ZR1 for 5 months hibernating in my Northeast garage and in the spring I checked the battery voltage. It was low, 11.6V. I hooked up my smart battery charger (not trickle) and after a full charge I started the car. It fired up without a hiccup and ran perfect. I did not want a trickle charger on the car for 5 months while I was a thousand mile away.
P.S. I do not have an active OnStar subscription on the C7 ZR1. My C6 ZR1 would go dead in less than a month.
Yes it does, but a lot of old guys refuse to use this option for some reason. Boomers…
Hey now! I use it often. Haven't had a dead battery but I like to keep it nice and fresh. Besides, never run a vehicle for any period of time after jumping a start. Alternators are used to maintain, not deep charge. Every had a voltage regulator go bad?...especially after jumping and driving at night with lights on. May be better now but I won't do it. If ever it is dead I will deep charge with my trusty high output charger before driving and putting a load on it.
04-30-2021, 07:13 PM
SOLVED: Underhood charging
