Connecting Batter Tender
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
I wish more people would use the method the chargers instructions suggest. When I bought my charger I got the same advice on CF that you did - red on red and black on black which is wrong. Members can say, I've never had a problem yada, yada etc but one day they may just have a problem and a fire or an exploded battery is not something fun to deal with. It takes just as long to hook the charger to a ground then it would the negative terminal so why do it incorrectly?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 21
From: Olathe, Kansas
Whenever jumping, charging, removing, installing, disconnecting or reconnecting the battery of a vehicle:
Always CONNECT the positive (red) terminal first then CONNECT the negative (black) terminal last.
Always DISCONNECT the negative (black) terminal first then DISCONNECT the positive (red) terminal last.
It is best to follow this procedure even though connecting/reconnecting the cables is done with the Battery Tender unplugged:
Connect your Battery Tender following the above procedure before you plug it in. Always make the connections first before you plug the unit in.
When you disconnect your Battery Tender, first unplug it, wait a moment for the unit to shut down, then disconnect the cables following the above procedures. Always unplug the unit first before you disconnect it from the battery terminals.
Keep the Battery Tender away from flamable items and on top of a non flamable surface. Do not keep it on the garage floor or near a water spiket or anywhere that it can get wet. Do not locate the Tender too close to the car battery. An extension cord is not recommended but if one is necessary, make sure that it meets the specs stated in the Tender's owners manual. Don't use a thin wire indoor extension cord like the type used inside for lamps.
Always CONNECT the positive (red) terminal first then CONNECT the negative (black) terminal last.
Always DISCONNECT the negative (black) terminal first then DISCONNECT the positive (red) terminal last.
It is best to follow this procedure even though connecting/reconnecting the cables is done with the Battery Tender unplugged:
Connect your Battery Tender following the above procedure before you plug it in. Always make the connections first before you plug the unit in.
When you disconnect your Battery Tender, first unplug it, wait a moment for the unit to shut down, then disconnect the cables following the above procedures. Always unplug the unit first before you disconnect it from the battery terminals.
Keep the Battery Tender away from flamable items and on top of a non flamable surface. Do not keep it on the garage floor or near a water spiket or anywhere that it can get wet. Do not locate the Tender too close to the car battery. An extension cord is not recommended but if one is necessary, make sure that it meets the specs stated in the Tender's owners manual. Don't use a thin wire indoor extension cord like the type used inside for lamps.
100% with this procedure. I use it for my CTEK Multi 3300 and have had zero problems. The order of connecting the cables and plugging it in AFTER connecting to the battery, and unplugging the unit BEFORE removing the connections is most important.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
If you attach the ring terminals permanently to the battery, then you only need to connect/disconnect the supplied male/female plug when using the float maintenance charger...
