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Battery Question

Old Mar 22, 2009 | 03:30 PM
  #1  
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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
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 04:58 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 05:02 PM
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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
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 05:04 PM
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Don- Can you tell me the brand name etc. of what you bought?
We all know that everything is better in California!
Thanks for your help.
Jeff
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 06:43 PM
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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
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 06:47 PM
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Thanks Don-if you want to make one for me, it would be great!
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 09:38 PM
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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
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 11:07 PM
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Thanks again Don!
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