Suggestions for Battery Tender

[RussMcB]

I like the cigarette lighter suggestion. Thanks.

Originally Posted by PhillipsLT5

alligator clips, hood up, car near 110 power, all good

This works, of course, but one thing I haven't liked about that is the under hood lights are always on (so I've been laying the hood down lightly).

[Dynomite]

I have always disconnected the negative battery terminal if the vehicle is expected to sit for a couple weeks. I am now going with this battery disconnect. Always have full battery power even after a couple months of battery disconnect. No messing with having to have electrical power and hood open or partially closed and no concern about electrical shorts when sitting with power connected (and electrical cords) for a while.

[93 Vette]

I have used the Battery Tender Plus, Battery Tender Jr and the Battery Tender International 2 Bank versions for the past 15 years or so. In fact I have about 4 running at any given time in my garage. I use the cigarette lighter adapters for 3 of my cars and a ring terminal harness directly attached to the battery on a 4th vehicle for quick connections. I have even used one in the past to keep the battery in my riding mower charged up by attaching the ring terminal harness directly to the mowers battery.

On the ZR-1 that I recently purchased the previous owner had a battery disconnect terminal attached to the battery. After a few weeks of owning the car I went out to the garage one morning and the car woudn't start at all. Turns out that the battery disconnect went bad and stopped making contact even when in the connected mode. I removed the battery disconnect and all was good again. For now I'll stick with using the Battery Tenders although I like the idea of not having cords running around my garage.

Also, if you do use the alligator clips you can still keep the hood open by removing the under hood light fuse located near the drivers side headlight.

Matt

[RussMcB]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

I have always disconnected the negative battery terminal if the vehicle is expected to sit for a couple weeks. I am now going with this battery disconnect. Always have full battery power even after a couple months of battery disconnect. No messing with having to have electrical power and hood open or partially closed and no concern about electrical shorts when sitting with power connected (and electrical cords) for a while.

Well, heck, then. I suppose I could just use one of these. :-)

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by RussMcB

Well, heck, then. I suppose I could just use one of these. :-)

Not with side mount battery cables

[RussMcB]

That type of disconnect isn't mounted directly to the battery, It would need cables to and from wherever it is mounted. On race cars they are mounted where the safety workers can get to it quickly, but you could mount it anywhere you wanted on (or inside) the car.

[PhillipsLT5]

Originally Posted by RussMcB

I like the cigarette lighter suggestion. Thanks.
This works, of course, but one thing I haven't liked about that is the under hood lights are always on (so I've been laying the hood down lightly).

pull fuse or unplug or pull bulbs

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

I have always disconnected the negative battery terminal if the vehicle is expected to sit for a couple weeks. I am now going with this battery disconnect. Always have full battery power even after a couple months of battery disconnect. No messing with having to have electrical power and hood open or partially closed and no concern about electrical shorts when sitting with power connected (and electrical cords) for a while.

Sulfation: While disconnecting the battery will prevent parasitic discharging, due to "keep alive" loads, etc, the discharging as result of internal chemical interaction between the electrolyte and the lead plates (sulfation) will continue even if the battery is disconnected. (Google Sulfation of lead acid batteries for more details)

So, for best results, it is best to use a Battery Tender (or the like) to keep the sulfate from being able to form in the first place.

Just sayin...

[efnfast]

My Tender is plugged in the outlet over head where the garage door plugs in, so the cords drops straight down. (No cords running around garage.) I did attach the transformer to the ceiling so it wouldn't fall out on the hood of the car. I use the alligator clips. I also keep my lights unplugged. Hope to pick up a set of LED's some day.

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by efnfast

My Tender is plugged in the outlet over head where the garage door plugs in, so the cords drops straight down. (No cords running around garage.) I did attach the transformer to the ceiling so it wouldn't fall out on the hood of the car. I use the alligator clips. I also keep my lights unplugged. Hope to pick up a set of LED's some day.

Same with me. I installed a duplex overhead (piped from the old center garage door opener outlet) and plug in the power cord for my lift and an extension cord for the Battery Tender or whatever else I need power for. No cords underfoot.--Bob