battery maintainer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: burlington ont
battery maintainer
i went out today and bought myself a battery maintainer. it's supposed to charge the battery and/or maintain for long periods, a float charge. i have 3 adaptors, cig lighter, terminal and clamps. i have never used one of these before so i'm not sure what to do. it plugs into a regular wall outlet, do i take the battery out, or do i hook it up with the battery in the car. which adapter do i use? does the unit have to stay outside of the car. the instructions or lack of said i need to keep it away from the battery because of potential gas's. i'm stumped, help please
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls IA
Battery Tender
Plug the cigarette lighter adapter and roll down your window slightly. run the cord outside of the car and plug it into the wall outlet. I've no problems using this method for the last 3 years. I'm sure someone will have other ideas for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks CA.
I've used one for over 10 years.
Sits under the hood, clamps to the terminals, plug it in.
At one time I had 4 Corvettes at once and used it on all of them.
Never had a problem...............
Sits under the hood, clamps to the terminals, plug it in.
At one time I had 4 Corvettes at once and used it on all of them.
Never had a problem...............
Last edited by GS Ron; Oct 22, 2007 at 06:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: burlington ont
oh, i get it. i could mount the unit to my garage wall, it's a really nice unit that allows me to. i don't know why but i understood that people would connect it to their battery and leave the unit in the engine compartment. learn something new everday. this forum rocks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Depending on which model you have, some ARE wall mountable. Mine justs sits on my garage workbench and plugs into the auxilliary power supply in the center console. They work just as well connected to the battery.
I've been using one on my Harley for over 10 years. Just bought another one to use on the 'Vette for when it sits idle during the winter months. I'm sure you'll like haveing one, and knowing your 'Vette will always start!
I've been using one on my Harley for over 10 years. Just bought another one to use on the 'Vette for when it sits idle during the winter months. I'm sure you'll like haveing one, and knowing your 'Vette will always start!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
oh, i get it. i could mount the unit to my garage wall, it's a really nice unit that allows me to. i don't know why but i understood that people would connect it to their battery and leave the unit in the engine compartment. learn something new everday. this forum rocks.
Make sure no one can trip over the extension cord while it's plugged in!
RonJ ...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Have used different models. One we bought and mounted to battery box on Grand Cherokee hooked to battery terminals and run extension cord to it(has been used for three years in Colo. where temps get down below zero. Have one that plugs into 120 volts and sits on floor and connects to terminals. Both have worked well for a number of years. 
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I use the clamps and just run the cord over the fender with the hood popped - then just plug it into the wall. No problems whatsoever.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I mounted mine on one column of my lift. The power cord just reaches the battery which is routed beneath the car. I permanently mounted the harness to the battery with ring terminals and the quick disconnect.
Good advice on not tripping over the cord(s) or forgetting to unplug it when you take the car out. It's only happened to me ONCE!
Good advice on not tripping over the cord(s) or forgetting to unplug it when you take the car out. It's only happened to me ONCE!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Battery Minder Hook Up
Hi, I've got the Battery Minder from batterymart.com. It came with alligator clips and a quick disconnect plug with eyelets on one side. The charger itself plugs into any 110 outlet. I connected the eyelets directly to the battery before tightening the side posts. The cord on the eyelets was only 18", and the cord on the Minder side was about 36". So I spliced about another 18" of wire between the quick connect and the eyelets ends and ran the wire safely through the engine bay to an area under the front bumper, and secured it with straps. The quick disconnect end has a good cover secured with a plastic strap to keep the end clean when not in use. Now I can just plug in the 2 ends when parked in the Garage without even opening the hood. It works out real well and easy. The thing to remember is to always make sure that any cord touching any metal has extra insulation around it to preclude any chance of shorting.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I don't drive my car daily and therefore, have had my 01 hooked up to a battery tender since I purchased the car in Nov 2000. The box is plugged into a nearby outlet and sits on the floor of my garage (on the passenger side of the car) and the wires are routed up the fender area and under the hood to the battery. The hood is closed.
Most of the time the car cover is on too!
Works like a champ
Mordi
Most of the time the car cover is on too!
Works like a champ
Mordi