battery tender
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 14
From: Baltimore Md.
battery tender
Does anyone use a battery tender outside? My car sits outside all year with two covers on, and I would like to hook up a tender so the battery doesn't die. I guess the main problem is keeping the box from getting wet from rain or snow.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You can get adaptors that hook into the cigar lighter. That way the box could sit in the car and you just route the wire from the power socket.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 153
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From: Southern CA
Yes they make weatherproof models too. I used my indoor model outside too on occasion for a couple of weeks on my camry. I simply put it under the front of the car and ran the cables straight up to the battery. The tendor was covered by the car. I then ran a weatherproof extension cord to power it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
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St. Jude Contributor
Doug
I used a Batery Tender all last winter on Linda's Neon outside in my driveway. I found room under the hood for the actual Tender unit to sit then ran the AC line from the engine bay to the ground and ran the AC extension line under the car and up to the garage.
This way the hood can be closed all the way and the lines are all protected.
It worked fine
I used a Batery Tender all last winter on Linda's Neon outside in my driveway. I found room under the hood for the actual Tender unit to sit then ran the AC line from the engine bay to the ground and ran the AC extension line under the car and up to the garage.
This way the hood can be closed all the way and the lines are all protected.
It worked fine
Last edited by Glennm27; Nov 18, 2007 at 08:11 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Danville Virginia
Doug
I used a Batery Tender all last winter on Linda's Neon outside in my driveway. I found room under the hood for the actual Tender unit to sit then ran the AC line from the engine bay to the ground and ran the AC extension line under the car and up to the garage.
This way the hood can be closed all the way and the lines are all protected.
It worked fine
I used a Batery Tender all last winter on Linda's Neon outside in my driveway. I found room under the hood for the actual Tender unit to sit then ran the AC line from the engine bay to the ground and ran the AC extension line under the car and up to the garage.
This way the hood can be closed all the way and the lines are all protected.
It worked fine
Chuck
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Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Bucks County Pa
Battery Tender Extensions
Hi, The easiest way and least expensive is to splice in a set of wires in the amount of footage that you need to keep the actual box inside the house. You can do it by using wire between the end clips and the box, splicing on both ends. I use 16 guage primary wire, but you could probably get away with 18 guage for up to 100 feet. Most battery maintaineing companies sell a set of extension wires, but they are usually more expensive than using your own wire. Just make sure your splices are tight and well taped, and keep the spliced areas out of the weather. Been doing it this way for many years with no problems. Also it is a good idea to install a set of ring terminals on the battery with sufficient wire to run to somewhere under the front bumper. Terminate the wire with an insulated quick connect/disconnect, and fasten with strap ties to something convenient. In this way you can just plug in to the quick connect anytime you want without even opening the hood. Just make sure the corredponding wires coming from the terminal match the end going to the battery as to polarity, and insulate with wire loom any wires touching metal and or hot engine parts. You can usually do this with the ends the companies include with their battery maintainers and some additional wire and tape.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
I did just what you described with my previous BATTERY TENDER PLUS, using two conductor, 16 gauge. You can buy it in bulk from any hardware store. One side is smooth and one side is ribbed to identify positive from negative for polarity. I wouldn't suggest using anything smaller with longer distances. It could cause the wires to become to hot with resistance. This was also recommended by DELTRAN, the manufacturer of the BATTERY TENDER products.
I made a 10 ft extension using oem GM "Weatherpack" connectors to splice in the extension in case I wanted to remove it for any reason. I used shrink tubing with the adhesive on the inside to insure it completely weather proof.
I made a 10 ft extension using oem GM "Weatherpack" connectors to splice in the extension in case I wanted to remove it for any reason. I used shrink tubing with the adhesive on the inside to insure it completely weather proof.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,054
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From: Perry Hall MD
Doug
Go to Harbour Freight and buy their $7 Battery Tender. It is a float charger and will not over charge your battery. I have been using it since I got the 03. Hook the terminals to the battery, route the wire to the ground near the radiator. I plug mine in and put the plugs on top of the tire. They stay try. If you want to see it call me.
Go to Harbour Freight and buy their $7 Battery Tender. It is a float charger and will not over charge your battery. I have been using it since I got the 03. Hook the terminals to the battery, route the wire to the ground near the radiator. I plug mine in and put the plugs on top of the tire. They stay try. If you want to see it call me.
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Good info. I keep the car in the garage all winter, but didn't know that you could get an extension like that.
