Battery Tender Question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral, FL
Battery Tender Question
This winter I started using a Battery Tender Jr. (750 mA) to keep the battery charged in case I don't drive the car for several weeks. I use the clips on the battery terminals but don't really like them or the cord laying on the fender under the cover and having to open and close the hood each time I drive the car. Would connecting the tender through the cigarette lighter create any problem? This would be much more convenient.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Good thought.....But, if it was do able, you think Battery Tender would include a cigarette plug for those people who wanted to charge their cars by that method. Have to agree w/ you...It sure would be a lot easier to charge your battery.... 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 953
Likes: 4
From: Guelph Ontario
Originally Posted by DCF
This winter I started using a Battery Tender Jr. (750 mA) to keep the battery charged in case I don't drive the car for several weeks. I use the clips on the battery terminals but don't really like them or the cord laying on the fender under the cover and having to open and close the hood each time I drive the car. Would connecting the tender through the cigarette lighter create any problem? This would be much more convenient.
DCF, I live in the cold north, Toronto Canada. Since my car is hibernating all winter, the tender is always attached. I prop the hood up about 6 inches just so that the engine compartment light is off. Clip on the cord to the battery, throw on a car cover and forget about it. I haven't seen a cig feature, but I'm sure that one can be fabricated. Opening and closing hood should be a regular routine for checking for oil level, viewing mods and dreaming of future mods.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
There is a much easier way. I have the Battery Tender Plus
Open the hood take the battery tender by both wires and lower it to the floor through the engine bay just behind the radiator. Tie or loop the battery cable to the oil stick, reach under the car, grab the battery tender and the 110v power cord. Position the tender on the garage floor just in front of the airdam.
Go up and untie or unloop the battery cables from the oil stick and hook up the battery. Then plug in the battery tender.
Running the wires under the hood is easy this way and allows you to close the hood.
When you are ready to drive, simply unplug the tender, remove the battery cables and drag the tender and the battery cables the rest of the way from under the car.
Open the hood take the battery tender by both wires and lower it to the floor through the engine bay just behind the radiator. Tie or loop the battery cable to the oil stick, reach under the car, grab the battery tender and the 110v power cord. Position the tender on the garage floor just in front of the airdam.
Go up and untie or unloop the battery cables from the oil stick and hook up the battery. Then plug in the battery tender.
Running the wires under the hood is easy this way and allows you to close the hood.
When you are ready to drive, simply unplug the tender, remove the battery cables and drag the tender and the battery cables the rest of the way from under the car.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Feb 13, 2005 at 11:39 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
That's about what I do when I have mine hooked up. Slide the cables underneath the car, then take a coat hanger that I have straightened out and hook cables and pull up thru engine compartment. Hook cables up and close hood and put carcover on.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Somers NY
I have the battery tender plus. I bought the cigarrette lighter adapter, and the tender at the local auto parts store. Works great and is very easy to use, wires don't pose a problem when I close door either. 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Hi from the great white north. Leave your battery tender clipped to the battery and let the hood down slowly until it contacts the latches. The hood will remain open enough to allow the cord to pass under it and down over the side of the fender. Leave the tender plugged in, put the cover over the car and say good night. When you want to start the car, unplug the tender from its' power outlet without removing the clips from the battery. I usually go out to start the card once every couple of weeks and have absolutely no problem. Since you're only putting a trickle charge on the battery and the tender shuts down when the battery is fully charged there is little chance of having the battery boil over and spew acid. By keeping a small amount of current flowing through the battery you're actually keeping the battery warm and the cells active. Cold weather stops or inhibits the chemical reaction between cells that creates current, that's why batteries go dead.
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