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Hard Wired Battery Charger Solution

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Old Jun 12, 2020 | 11:24 AM
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Default Hard Wired Battery Charger Solution

I am trying to create a solid system to connect a battery tender to an 87 to charge when not in use. I had been relying on alligator clips, but they do pop off the terminals every now and again. Has anyone successfully used the setup below to maintain battery charge? I have the positive wire with ring terminal connected to the post in the middle right of the picture. I have the negative wire with ring terminal connected to the ground in the lower left of the picture. Both locations already have a wire running to the positive and negative battery cables. I then have the charger disconnect plug mounted next to the brake booster. Does this make logical sense or will I need to get the charger hooked directly to the battery itself. I have a feeling this will work, but I am also concerned of creating a potential short in the electical system.
Thank you.




Last edited by 87redroadster; Jun 12, 2020 at 11:42 AM.
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Old Jun 12, 2020 | 01:53 PM
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That should work, but why not just attach the ring terminals to the battery posts? I did buy some bolts that had a means to attach a ring terminal.


I routed the Battery Tender cable to the front where it exits near the air dam (my charger is mounted on the wall in front of the car).

Steve
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Old Jun 12, 2020 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by NavAir
That should work, but why not just attach the ring terminals to the battery posts? I did buy some bolts that had a means to attach a ring terminal.


I routed the Battery Tender cable to the front where it exits near the air dam (my charger is mounted on the wall in front of the car).

Steve
I did this as well. Not on my C4, but on my Camaro. The rings on the tender are not big enough. Of course, you could also cut and solder/crimp new larger rings on.
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Old Jun 12, 2020 | 05:52 PM
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Thank you Steve. That is what i am looking for. I used to have large ring terminals wedged between the cable and the battery and had the tender plug end accessed through the gills on that body panel. However, after two or three tries at that setup I would end the threads on the cable bolts stripped. Can you tell me where you got those particular bolts as they look to have threads on the back to screw another bolt with the charger ring terminals to?
Thanks again,
Tom
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Old Jun 12, 2020 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 87redroadster
Thank you Steve. That is what i am looking for. I used to have large ring terminals wedged between the cable and the battery and had the tender plug end accessed through the gills on that body panel. However, after two or three tries at that setup I would end the threads on the cable bolts stripped. Can you tell me where you got those particular bolts as they look to have threads on the back to screw another bolt with the charger ring terminals to?
Thanks again,
Tom
Something like this should work for you:

https://www.wirthco.com/side-terminal-bolt-stan…

you can pick them up on eBay...
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Old Jun 17, 2020 | 12:01 AM
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Thank you Steve. I ordered a set. Appreciate the helpful info.
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Old Jun 17, 2020 | 02:57 PM
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I think having the tender hooked up directly to the battery terminals will be better in the long run. I put the multimeter on the +/- and got 6.8v from the charger without a battery installed, but the full 12v using alligator clips with the tender directly to the tester. I wonder if there isn't some added resistance/loss by using the wiring I started with?
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Old Jun 17, 2020 | 03:11 PM
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Mine just plugs into the cigarette lighter plug... didn't want to fumble around with one under the hood and looks stock. Grab it on the wall when I walk in, lay it across the floor to the console and then close the door if its parked long term. No evidence once it's out either and the accessory line is of large enough gauge to not be an issue with the charger.
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