Trickle charger question.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 919
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From: Kiersteadville New Brunswick
Trickle charger question.
I'm going to be putting the '99 away tomorrow for it's winter rest, up at my Mother-in-laws nice insulated garage. I've never stored any of my MG's with the battery in, I've always brought them home but from what I understand, I should leave this one in. I picked up an Intelligent Battery Charger/Maintainer last week to use. My question is what the best spot to connect the black clip in the engine bay for proper grounding?
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Kiersteadville New Brunswick
I figured someone would say that, and thanks for CAPITALIZING it. I feel kinda dumb now.
Actually, the manual I got with the charger states NOT (yes, in capital letters as well) NOT to hook the negative clip to the negative terminal when the battery is in the car.
This is why I'm inquiring as to a good grounding spot for that clip.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
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From: Marana, Arizona
Just pull the battery out if you're not going to drive it at all for several months. That is the GM directive. I've done it several time - no problems. I didn't even loose my radio presets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,687
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From: Mo.
I figured someone would say that, and thanks for CAPITALIZING it. I feel kinda dumb now.
Actually, the manual I got with the charger states NOT (yes, in capital letters as well) NOT to hook the negative clip to the negative terminal when the battery is in the car.
This is why I'm inquiring as to a good grounding spot for that clip.
Thanks
Actually, the manual I got with the charger states NOT (yes, in capital letters as well) NOT to hook the negative clip to the negative terminal when the battery is in the car.
This is why I'm inquiring as to a good grounding spot for that clip.
Thanks
There is a chassis ground about a foot in front of the battery, right along side of the coolant res. You can't miss it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I have left mine in the car for several years now and hooked the negative to the battery with no problems. My Optima is now 7 years old and going strong. If you want to hook the negative teminal elsewhere, just search around with the clip until you find something that you can hook to and makes the charging light come on. You may have to scrape a little paint off something to get a good connection. Some also just put an accessory plug on the charger and plug it in through one of the accessory ports in the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 404
From: Bmore Maryland
I hook up my battery tender to the negative terminal on the battery and it has worked fine for me for years. BUT, if the instructions for your device says otherwise use the advice of SSTG and attach it to the chassis ground near the coolant tank.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Kingston Ontario
I figured someone would say that, and thanks for CAPITALIZING it. I feel kinda dumb now.
Actually, the manual I got with the charger states NOT (yes, in capital letters as well) NOT to hook the negative clip to the negative terminal when the battery is in the car.
This is why I'm inquiring as to a good grounding spot for that clip.
Thanks
Actually, the manual I got with the charger states NOT (yes, in capital letters as well) NOT to hook the negative clip to the negative terminal when the battery is in the car.
This is why I'm inquiring as to a good grounding spot for that clip.
Thanks
They (manufacturer) cover there backside; even though it's a charger/maintainer that they claim won't spark at hook-up. Spark at a venting battery is the safety concern. Boom!
Always safest to make connections at the battery and then power up the charger.
Dan
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By any chance, is it a CTEK charger?
They (manufacturer) cover there backside; even though it's a charger/maintainer that they claim won't spark at hook-up. Spark at a venting battery is the safety concern. Boom!
Always safest to make connections at the battery and then power up the charger.
Dan
They (manufacturer) cover there backside; even though it's a charger/maintainer that they claim won't spark at hook-up. Spark at a venting battery is the safety concern. Boom!
Always safest to make connections at the battery and then power up the charger.
Dan
That's what I do with my charger. I make the connections at the battery (positive) and then the frame (negative). I then plug the charger into the outlet. I run the cords out through the seam between the fender and light bucket and place the charger on the floor next to the car. Works great!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 488
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
I have my CTEK connected to the battery + and the frame grounding point just forward of the coolant reservoir. The unit itself is mounted on the radiator shroud...I snake the cord down and out in front of the radiator itself.
I run it any time the car sits idle for more than 5-6 days. No issues for two years and counting...
I run it any time the car sits idle for more than 5-6 days. No issues for two years and counting...
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I have always hooked my Battery Tender Plus to the positive/negative terminals on the battery, but as long as you can find a good ground elsewhere, you can put the negative connection there. Sad that you have to put the car away so early, but living up north causes that to happen. Hopefully it will be an early spring next year.
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I have left mine in the car for several years now and hooked the negative to the battery with no problems. My Optima is now 7 years old and going strong. If you want to hook the negative teminal elsewhere, just search around with the clip until you find something that you can hook to and makes the charging light come on. You may have to scrape a little paint off something to get a good connection. Some also just put an accessory plug on the charger and plug it in through one of the accessory ports in the car.