Battery Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: Westchester County, NY
Battery Question
I put a new Die Hard in my car and haven't used it much since winter. I bought a charger/trickler since the battery was dead. Last Sunday, I took it out and drove for an hour and had no problems. Now, a week later, I have to charge it again.
Is it possible that leaving the key in the ignition drains the battery or could my problem be worse?
Thanks
Is it possible that leaving the key in the ignition drains the battery or could my problem be worse?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Even here in southern California, my '99 can't sit for more than about 10 days without needing a charge. I use a "Battery Tender" plugged into my cigarette lighter when it sits for a while. It's pretty convienient, and works great. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: Westchester County, NY
I'm using a new Schumacher Speed Charge and after fully charging it automatically stays on trickle. I have been removing it after about 30 minutes. When I took it ourt lat week, the dash had 13.7-13.9 volts. It seems that everything is off in the car, except I have been leaving my key in the ignition.
Thanks. I really appreciate your help.
Jeff
Thanks. I really appreciate your help.
Jeff
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
It's actually called a "Battery Tender Plus" and I got it at Pep Boys for aroung $30-50 if my over-40 brain cells remember correctly. It's a little green box that I secured to the top of my garage door opener.
I used an old drop-down light assembly that I wasn't using, and cut off the AC plug at one end and the lamp on the other.
I then soldered the output wires of the battery tender where I removed the AC plug, and a cigarette lighter plug (I think it came with the Battery Tender) to the pull-down wire where I removed the lamp. When not in use, I just release the pull-down wire and the wire coils back into the pull-down lamp reel. Really convienient and works well.
Don
I used an old drop-down light assembly that I wasn't using, and cut off the AC plug at one end and the lamp on the other.
I then soldered the output wires of the battery tender where I removed the AC plug, and a cigarette lighter plug (I think it came with the Battery Tender) to the pull-down wire where I removed the lamp. When not in use, I just release the pull-down wire and the wire coils back into the pull-down lamp reel. Really convienient and works well.
Don
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Thanks for the offer to let me make one for you Jeff.. I'm $200/Hr on the weekends plus parts. 
It's really not that difficult. Only 2 wires on each end. Just keep the polarity the same on each end with the positive lead as the center lead on the cigarette lighter plug. It's actually just a coiled up DC extension cord for the Battery Tender.
Don
It's really not that difficult. Only 2 wires on each end. Just keep the polarity the same on each end with the positive lead as the center lead on the cigarette lighter plug. It's actually just a coiled up DC extension cord for the Battery Tender.
Don
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