Battery Tender Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Brenham Texas
Battery Tender Question
I just got my Optima Red Top replaced and have ordered the
Battery Tender.
May seem like a dumb question but how do you folks run the wires that
connect it ?
By that I mean, I keep a cover over the car.
Is the cable run under the car or just hangs over the fender. ( don't like that but ...)
Thanks for the info.
Battery Tender.
May seem like a dumb question but how do you folks run the wires that
connect it ?
By that I mean, I keep a cover over the car.
Is the cable run under the car or just hangs over the fender. ( don't like that but ...)
Thanks for the info.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
I've done it two ways, leave the hood cracked ( to vent any possible gas release during charging) and put a towel on the fender where the wire contacts the car. Second option is to drop the AC power cord down throught the engine compartment to the garage floor. Just have to remember its there and don't start the car with it hanging in the engine compartment.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: .... NJ
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
I wired mine to a cig. lighter plug, Just plug it into the lighter instead of opening the hood and hooking up wires. plugs or clamps.
Covered in the garage no problem.
Covered in the garage no problem.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
My wire runs down and out the engine compartment by the RF tire. I can leave the hood cracked or closed that way, and put the car cover on. The device can get a little warm so be careful where you place it (possible scorching?). I believe you can either buy extended lengths of wire from the manufacturer (DELTRAN) or make your own with 12/2 wire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
i just have my hood popped open and mine is hardwired. Then for the power cable i just have that monkey cable wire on the extension cord so that it doesnt scratch the paint. works great.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
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I use the Battery Tender and just keep the hood popped and run the alligator clips to the battery posts. Works well for me. I also use a cover on the car and have no problems.
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The Battery tender cable from the Tender to the battery is in two pieces with a plug to connect the two. The part that connects to the battery is about 18-24" long, the other is about 4 or 5 feet. I drop the short one down near the fan (before connecting to the battery) and connect it to the other cable under the car. THEN pull it back up to connect to the battery.
I can then close the hood and cover the car, leaving the battery tender under the car.
I can then close the hood and cover the car, leaving the battery tender under the car.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 6
From: Rochester NY
My car is kept covered all of the time. I run the cable down under the battery and out the vent in the fender and plug it into the longer cable there. The cable then comes out under the cover and I have it wrapped in a cloth to protect the finish on the car.
I find that easier to get to than having the cable come out from under the car. I tuck the cable back into the vent opening when the cable is unplugged. Has worked well for me.
I find that easier to get to than having the cable come out from under the car. I tuck the cable back into the vent opening when the cable is unplugged. Has worked well for me.