Battery tender
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Schenectady NY
Originally Posted by JC in XTC5
I use the clips on the battery terminal as well - quick and easy.
I also put a timer on the lead so battery only charges a couple of hours per day; and has worked well for past two years.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Just North of Buffalo NY
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I have the Battery Tender Plus hooked up to my car and just use the big clips to hook up to the battery. I leave the hood unlatched with the wires running over the fender and then just put my car cover back on the car.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 129
From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I have the Battery Tender Plus hooked up to my car and just use the big clips to hook up to the battery. I leave the hood unlatched with the wires running over the fender and then just put my car cover back on the car.
This is exactly what I do as well, works great! 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I have the battery tender plus and i just hook it up i have never put the cables down through the inside of the car when i cover the car i leave the part where the plug from the tender hooks up to the extension cord open so the cable cords are exposed the tender i have seating on a stepstool about two feet from the car.I dont think the lighter charging will charge for along time they are only ment for when you change your battery it is for short term use.......
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Ok so since my car is going to live under a cover in my driveway for the winter (Dec-Mar), I was thinking to leave this thing on my passenger floor, run the permanent wiring thru the firewall for it, and run the power cable out the bottom of the passenger door and down my driveway to an outdoor outlet. I dont want it outside exposed to the elements, and under the car will do no good as when the snow melts it will get destroyed. Does anyone see a problem with that?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: High Point, NC
I have them hard wired on both the vettes. I have the red top batterys in both cars so I used the top terminals for the battery tender. On the 2000 I have the wire coming out the fender vent. I just disconnect the batery tender put the cap on the connector and tuck the wire in the vent and I am ready to go.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
Ok so since my car is going to live under a cover in my driveway for the winter (Dec-Mar), I was thinking to leave this thing on my passenger floor, run the permanent wiring thru the firewall for it, and run the power cable out the bottom of the passenger door and down my driveway to an outdoor outlet. I dont want it outside exposed to the elements, and under the car will do no good as when the snow melts it will get destroyed. Does anyone see a problem with that?
Personally, I like to leave the device outside the car so I can easily see the LED (red or green) and know that it's functioning correctly. My car sits inside a heated shop though. Since your car has to sit outside, at least use something under the device which will insulate the carpet/mat from heat. You might have to worry about critters chewing on the electrical cord or someone tripping over it. If the cord has to be run a long distance, be sure you use a heavy gauge extension cord to get full current.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Nov 20, 2006 at 08:22 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Originally Posted by 426 Hemi
Probably not but is the cigarette lighter on the same circuit as the underhood light, i.e. turns itself off after a period of time?
Guess I need to go out to the garage and take a look at it
Larry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 818
Likes: 7
From: Senecaville Ohio
Never have seen a Battery Tender brand with a cigarette plug. Guess this is a new convenience. I had my husband install the permanent hook up on the battery. Not the alligator clips. This way it is easy for me to hook up all the time. It has a nice top to close it off when not in use. I also bought a cord extender offered online to make the whole thing longer making it easy to park where I want and not have to be next to the plug.
Laurie
Laurie
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by hotwheels57
The BATTERY TENDER PLUS (or BATTERY TENDER JR.) do create a little heat...I'd be concerned about damaging the carpet/mats if it were my car...but it's your car.
Personally, I like to leave the device outside the car so I can easily see the LED (red or green) and know that it's functioning correctly. My car sits inside a heated shop though. Since your car has to sit outside, at least use something under the device which will insulate the carpet/mat from heat. You might have to worry about critters chewing on the electrical cord or someone tripping over it. If the cord has to be run a long distance, be sure you use a heavy gauge extension cord to get full current.
Personally, I like to leave the device outside the car so I can easily see the LED (red or green) and know that it's functioning correctly. My car sits inside a heated shop though. Since your car has to sit outside, at least use something under the device which will insulate the carpet/mat from heat. You might have to worry about critters chewing on the electrical cord or someone tripping over it. If the cord has to be run a long distance, be sure you use a heavy gauge extension cord to get full current.
Anyone else in my predicament? Maybe I can get the JR and leave it under the hood, theres less to catch fire and probably more than enough room in the battery tray...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
Yeah I figured on that, So my thought was to remove my nice lloyds mats and just stuff the stocker there then put something underneath.... non flamable. I'm really not sure I mean how hot do they get? I dont want something to melt, and I also dont want to come home to a car fire one day....
Anyone else in my predicament? Maybe I can get the JR and leave it under the hood, theres less to catch fire and probably more than enough room in the battery tray...
Anyone else in my predicament? Maybe I can get the JR and leave it under the hood, theres less to catch fire and probably more than enough room in the battery tray...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by rrichar2591
I use the one from Sears and it will get a little warm but I would not call it hot. Set it on a brick or piece of wood and then keep an eye on it for a few hours. After that, you'll sleep easier. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I have the Battery Tender Plus hooked up to my car and just use the big clips to hook up to the battery. I leave the hood unlatched with the wires running over the fender and then just put my car cover back on the car.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Peru IL
Battery Tender
I bought two of the Battery Tender four-banks. Installed them one each on the opposite sides of the garage walls. The heat sinks vent upwards keeping the units cool. I use the BT's 25-ft. extentions threaded up onto the ceiling which will reach anywhere I need to go in the garage. Cars are connected via clamps to BT running the cord down from the engine compartment and along the wall. Connected, I have two cars, two motorcycles, four scooters. Battery Tender brand have outstanding performance. Buy a four-bank--the extra connections will quickly fill up. Tractor battery here, boat battery there. You get the idea. Tis better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Randy
Randy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
Yeah I figured on that, So my thought was to remove my nice lloyds mats and just stuff the stocker there then put something underneath.... non flamable. I'm really not sure I mean how hot do they get? I dont want something to melt, and I also dont want to come home to a car fire one day....
Anyone else in my predicament? Maybe I can get the JR and leave it under the hood, theres less to catch fire and probably more than enough room in the battery tray...
Anyone else in my predicament? Maybe I can get the JR and leave it under the hood, theres less to catch fire and probably more than enough room in the battery tray...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by hotwheels57
The BATTERY TENDER JR. is waterproof, but only produces .75amp of power. That's fine for long term on a strong battery. It's also small enough to rest somewhere in your engine compartment during the winter...just don't forget it when you start the car...sounds worse than a cat.
