Disconnect Battery when charging?
 

My owners manual (2000 C2 Cab) says to disconnect the battery when using a charger or the alternator could be damaged. Is this for real? I would have to reset my clock, radio presets, radio theft code, etc. - a real pain.

How about for a low amperage charger, say 2 to 5 amps?

Can I use a battery maintainer/tender without disconnecting the battery? I'm going into my 1st New England winter with this car and its already cranking slowly.

That should not be necessary for either type of charger.

I dont disconnect the battery for my trickle charger (c-tek).

The official c-tek charger plugs into the cigarette lighter so my theory was if that can charge without it being disconnected then mine can too.

OP ,
This may help - read what JFP says:
http://986forum.com/forums/performan...nditioner.html
Ctek Mus 4.3:

I have the same charger wired to my battery (with the c-tek quick release connection).

In Australia the cigarette lighter is off without ignition by design