Vette trickle charger
02-12-2014, 08:19 PM
#2
I have been using into the cigarette lighter for the last 3 months in the cold northern Minnesota and it works great, keeps it fully charged, I was skeptical in the beginning, but it works great on my 427 and is actually better since my battery is in the trunk.
02-12-2014, 08:22 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
02-12-2014, 08:46 PM
#5
Both of lighter plug in the ash tray, and the outlet in the center lid are constant hots, so either one will work fine.
Myself, since I like to keep the windows closed (let them auto index closed when you shut the doors), installed a plug under the hood for the Ctek at the battery, and plug in there instead (just pop the hood and leave it cracked open). This keeps the charger up and away (mounted on the wall) instead of being in the car or laying on the ground instead, and since the hood is cracked open, it reminds me that I have to unplug the tender before I get in and drive out of the garage.
To note, there are a few mods on adding a plug at the back key slot area above the license plate, as well as a magnetic plug that gets mounted at the front of the car that will work as well. The magnetic plug at the front of the car has promise (still a touch too much of a eye sore when not using it), since if you forget to unplug the tender before driving off, the tender side wire fitting will pop right off car mounted receptor when you back out.
Myself, since I like to keep the windows closed (let them auto index closed when you shut the doors), installed a plug under the hood for the Ctek at the battery, and plug in there instead (just pop the hood and leave it cracked open). This keeps the charger up and away (mounted on the wall) instead of being in the car or laying on the ground instead, and since the hood is cracked open, it reminds me that I have to unplug the tender before I get in and drive out of the garage.
To note, there are a few mods on adding a plug at the back key slot area above the license plate, as well as a magnetic plug that gets mounted at the front of the car that will work as well. The magnetic plug at the front of the car has promise (still a touch too much of a eye sore when not using it), since if you forget to unplug the tender before driving off, the tender side wire fitting will pop right off car mounted receptor when you back out.
02-13-2014, 04:28 PM
#6
Safety Car
02-14-2014, 01:06 AM
#7
Drifting
Have to play the devil's advocate here...
... but why aren't you running them directly to the battery terminals under the hood? That way, you don't need to worry about fuses and other problems. Just a direct line to the power supply.
... but why aren't you running them directly to the battery terminals under the hood? That way, you don't need to worry about fuses and other problems. Just a direct line to the power supply.
02-14-2014, 07:01 AM
#8
Race Director
The lighter socket in the dash and the aux. power socket in the center console are both always hot and each has it's own individual fuse. 15A or 20A, I can't remember which.
Regardless, either connection has more than enough capacity to handle the small amount of current supplied by a battery tender.
I've been connecting mine this way for 7+ years with no other "problems".
And........GM sells a Corvette branded tender that comes with a lighter socket adapter. But the 'Corvette Tax' is a bit steep.
Whatever brand you decide to get, plugging it into a surge-protector/suppressor is a good idea.
Regardless, either connection has more than enough capacity to handle the small amount of current supplied by a battery tender.
I've been connecting mine this way for 7+ years with no other "problems".
And........GM sells a Corvette branded tender that comes with a lighter socket adapter. But the 'Corvette Tax' is a bit steep.
Whatever brand you decide to get, plugging it into a surge-protector/suppressor is a good idea.
02-14-2014, 08:18 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
The lighter socket in the dash and the aux. power socket in the center console are both always hot and each has it's own individual fuse. 15A or 20A, I can't remember which.
Regardless, either connection has more than enough capacity to handle the small amount of current supplied by a battery tender...
Regardless, either connection has more than enough capacity to handle the small amount of current supplied by a battery tender...
They are identical and 1 amp from the tender with a dead battery or 0.01 amp continuous is not an issue.