battery tender , dumb question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
battery tender , dumb question
my first dumb question.......this year . my sons 97 honda vcr sets in the driveway with a battery tender on it . question is , can i unplug battery tender and leave it connected to battery for a day or so without doing damage to battery or tender . worse : it's supposed to get 18 below zero and i don't know what anti freeze is set to so want to hook up light bulb instead to ,hopefully , avoid a frozen block or radiator . . be kind i'm old . . .peace...........ps. alternative is to put honda in garage and a vette outside . this suggestion has not gone over well with my wife , the owner of the vettes .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
The tender is connected one of two ways. Either with two battery clips which you just unclip or the tender is connected using "lug" connections which have to be unbolted. In both cases you will notice there is a plug in the wiring that can be disconnected to allow the use of the clips or lug connections. I would just use that plug to disconnect the tender so it does not get rained on.
I don't know if leaving the tender connected but unplugged will provide some battery drain or not. What I recommend is what I would do.
I don't know if leaving the tender connected but unplugged will provide some battery drain or not. What I recommend is what I would do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Good idea, the tender should not be drawing enough current to be an issue in parallel with a light bulb. Could also test the coolant to see how low a temp it can support. If you don't have a tester they are cheap or just drive his car to an auto store and they should be able to test.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Good idea, the tender should not be drawing enough current to be an issue in parallel with a light bulb. Could also test the coolant to see how low a temp it can support. If you don't have a tester they are cheap or just drive his car to an auto store and they should be able to test.
If his car has a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water, that will provide protection down to -37 degrees F. But it would be a good idea to get a tester (all auto parts stores have them for just $5-$6) and make sure the coolant is at least below the anticipated temps.
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