Batterey Tender Custom touch...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Concord California
Batterey Tender Custom touch...
Since my C5 is a weekend warrior, I just replaced the battery about 2 months ago. So with the new batterey I decided to install a Batterey Tender, but I didn't want to have to keep hooking it up. So I designed a Batt. cover with the built in Tender attached behind it, I dremeled out the LEDs and hook it up. Now I just pop the hood, pull out the yellow power lead and connect it to the outlet in the garage. Enjoy...
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Could you post a pic of the underside of the cover - would like to see how you mounted the battery tender. Neat idea.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: british columbia
I like this, looks very clean.
If its anything like my car the battery tender is stuck to the top of the battery, so he put the holes in the cover, to plug it in, and still be able to see the operating lights.
Good job.
If its anything like my car the battery tender is stuck to the top of the battery, so he put the holes in the cover, to plug it in, and still be able to see the operating lights.
Good job.
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That's probably why I can't get a picture in my head because my tender is the size of a small toaster so it sits outside the car. I would really like to see the other side of the battery cover.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Somerset, NJ
I guess its a nice idea for the setup you have but my Battery Tender Junior came with an extra lead to plug my Battery Tender into instead of using the lead with alligator clips like come with most chargers. Using that extra lead and leaving it bolted up to a separate ground and power lead to the C5 battery it is left out of sight so I don't see a need for the battery cover on my car. My Battery Tender Junior itself stays outside of the car. When I feel the need to use it I just plug it into the lead that is already hooked up very neatly under the hood and plug the Battery Tender Junior itself into a wall socket.
Last edited by ffas23; Aug 24, 2011 at 05:08 AM. Reason: Spelling
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Concord California
Yea, I had a couple of ideas, buy just using the cable leads connected to the batterey meant I still had to have a place for the unit itself. This works fo rme. As far as heat, the batt. area is isolated in a tube, no real heat issue here, but time will tell.
Safety Car
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neither do i. i wasn't completely able to follow exactly what you did (as far as mounting) and exactly how you now get it connected. i would think the engine heat would be a big problem with the electronics eventually. the temps in the engine compartment in the summer will definitely have a detrimental affect on the circuit in the tender sooner or later (and i would bet it will be sooner.my "tender" also came with a second "harness" that can be hardwired to the battery terminals to make connection to the charger as simple as plugging the harness on the battery into the harness on the charger. the charger sits on the shelf in the garage next to the ac outlet ready to go.
Last edited by srs244; Aug 24, 2011 at 04:22 PM.
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Compliments on your ingenuity but I got to tell you I would be considered about having that installed under the hood. No where near an electrical engineer so maybe someone can weigh in. Maybe my concerns are not appropriate but I have my set up outside the car for storage.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Melbourne FL
Nice idea. But, I also would be concerned about the amount heat exposure. And with my tender I've got to be able to access the controls on it to set it to the "gel" battery setting each time it is connected and disconnected as it resets to the defaults when power is disconnected.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Concord California
I purchased "Granite Ditital" not very cheap, but the best Batt. Tender on the market. I have limited space, where my C5 is parked next to my motorcycle, no room to place the charger (unless on the floor). So now you guys know why I installed it in the vehicle, it worked for me this way, I have a power cord hanging from the ceiling, quick and easy, for me that is. I'm not telling anyone to do this, I was just sharing it so others have an option as to how some members do it, it may not work for you, maybe the heat may damage it. I appreciate the concerns, time will tell.. Enjoy the charge...