I'd like install the plug on my C4 as the alligator clamps are difficult to align. The pos attachment is pretty simple, right next to the battery a terminal is readily accessible. The neg is another matter The ECM box is right above the battery and seems nicely grounded. Any reason I should not use one of the box cover screws as a ground for the battery maintainer? Would it be better to use the mounting bracket.

 

Get a couple of these: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0358&ppt=C0005 (looks to be the right size) to replace your existing cable bolts and you have mounts for both positive and negative ends.

 

If you have a Deltran Battery Tender you can directly plug into the cigarette lighter with their adapter. http://www.batterytender.com/Accesso...r-Adaptor.html

I use this so I don't even have to open the hood. I just pull into the garage, open the car door and reach down to grab the cigarette adapter connected to the Battery Tender and plug it in before I exit the car. Simple and easy. If you have a different brand I'm sure you adapt the plug to fit.

 

I have head of this and evan seen it. but could never bring myself to do it. fear of fire.

 

I've been feeding my battery through the lighter socket for years. I connected the charger to a lighter plug that has a built-in fuseholder:







Works great, and could not be easier to connect/disconnect. No mods required to the car, nothing to connect directly to the battery. Easy to move from one vehicle to another.

I've set up chargers like this for several friends, who've also been using them for years and love it.

With the fuse in the lighter plug that I added to the charger, plus the fuse that's in-circuit with the wiring harness that feeds the lighter socket in the car, I have zero worries about this hook-up starting a fire.

Live well,

SJW

 

My 91 has a ground strap from the fire wall to the frame that is grounded just behind the battery. May have to take the battery out to get to it. Schumacker has a maintainer that has a permanent connection with a two prong connector to hook to the charger. I got mine at Tractor Supply.

 

I also use the cigarette lighter adapter. It's quick and easy. Been doing it for over 10 years without any problems.

 

I agree w/ you; far as using the cig lighter especially for unattended use.

The issue is the cig lighter provides a "point contact" at best. (Think of a very tiny wire to carry the charging current.) If that contact is further compromised with corrosion/ash, etc, then the issue becomes compounded.)

However, the current from a battery tender is usually quite low which reduces the heat potential, and if the contacts are clean - well, even better. And, still better, some tenders only pulse the battery, which also goes a long way toward reducing over-heating.

But, on the flip side, it IS an unattended connection, after all. And, there ARE better ways to access the battery (e.g., eyelet rings on the battery terminals or the clamps intended for the battery terminals (like the ones that come on the Battery Tender chargers) - which don't pose a problem.

I use the battery spring clamps that come with the Battery Tender. I leave them on the battery all the time - never a problem! Removing the charger before taking the car out, I simply put the protective cap on the end of the wire and coil the pig-tail up and stuff it between the battery and the inner fender till I get back. (That way I don't have to be struggling to get to the battery terminal tucked under the ECM.)

I use the cig lighter to run my Garmin nav-aid, or charge my phone, but I'm always present when those items are running; never running unattended. The fact that I don't smoke and the contacts are clean helps as well. If someone wants to say I'm paranoid...well, I've been called worse! In my defense, although I haven't ever had a melted a cig lighter socket or had a fire either, as a gas station mechanic I have seen several cig lighter sockets that did over-heat for various reasons - the source of my paranoia, I guess!

So, I'm w/ you. Others are welcome to do what they want. But, NO cig ligher here, far as battery charging/maintaining goes, especially when the pig-tail is right there - all I have to do is pop the hood and voila!

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-install.html

 

I use the clamps and put my Battery Tender right on the battery - I didn't want to use the cigarette lighter. For good measure, I disconnected the lights under the hood and left the hood unlatched.

 

I've used the terminals that hcbph mentions for years and pass the pigtail thru one of the gills to charge and cap it up and tuck it inside when not. Works great for outside or inside charging...