Battery Tender Plus Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 15
From: Houston TX
Battery Tender Plus Question
I just purchased a Battery Tender Plus for my 02 Z06. The unit came with 2 attachment options; alligator clips, and a piece that looks as though it can be hardwired to the battery itself. The hardwiring option looked interesting but I could not get the piece to fit over the stock battery cable bolts (does anyone use this option and if so how did you install it?). I have an Optima Red Top as well.
In addition, I purchased a cigarette lighter adaptor as an alternate charging option (and a much easier one) but could not get it to work. If anyone has purchased this option I would also be interested in knowing how you got it to work as I was unable to.
For now it looks like the alligator clips are the only way to get the unit attached to the battery. I would appreciate hearing about any other ways people attach the BT. Thanks.
In addition, I purchased a cigarette lighter adaptor as an alternate charging option (and a much easier one) but could not get it to work. If anyone has purchased this option I would also be interested in knowing how you got it to work as I was unable to.
For now it looks like the alligator clips are the only way to get the unit attached to the battery. I would appreciate hearing about any other ways people attach the BT. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,342
Likes: 665
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
I do not have the Battery Tender version, but do use a similar device. I use the cigarette lighter on the 03 to keep the battery charged and it works just fine.
I also use it to power the vehicle whenever I have to disconnect the battery (so that the Vette keeps it's "memory").
Good luck,
Plasticman
I also use it to power the vehicle whenever I have to disconnect the battery (so that the Vette keeps it's "memory").
Good luck,
Plasticman
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Connect Battery Tender
Hi, the way I connected my battery maintainer is as follows. Either cut the bottom part of the eye rings off and slip the half o shaped remaining part on the battery bolt between the bolt and battery terminal. Make sure that the rubber insulation on the eyelet top doesn't interfere with proper tightening of the battery bolt,(skin it off with a utility knife). Alternatively buy 2 larger eyelet connectors,(radio shack, pep boys, or any auto supply store), and cut the originals off and crimp the new larger ones on to the wires. If you want to make the situation even more convenient to use, splice a couple of longer lengths of wire to the wires provided, and run the wires from the battery , through the engine bay, being careful to keep them away from hot parts that might melt them, and bring them out under the front bumper, tie them secure along the way, now you have the quick connect on the outside of the car so you can plug it in without even opening the hood. Just put the cover on the connector end and tuck it up behind the bumper facia when driving the car, use a plastic tie to keep it secure where you want it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
I installed the eyelet connectors, neither directly to the battery posts.
The positiive installed on the positive battery connection post located in the fuse/relay box located directly in front of the battery. You can either lift the current nut and install or pick up another nut from the hardware and install it on top of the current connection. The negative connection is tied to the frame ground located at the bottom of the plastic battery box enclosure. From the battery side of the car, look down at far right hand corner of the battery box, you'll see a connection post that sits on the cars frame rail, there should already be one or two ground connections attached there, just need to remove that nut and fasten your negative lead there. Any of the options posted will work, I just prefered to get it out of the way, and less likely to get inadvertently disconnected while charging.
The positiive installed on the positive battery connection post located in the fuse/relay box located directly in front of the battery. You can either lift the current nut and install or pick up another nut from the hardware and install it on top of the current connection. The negative connection is tied to the frame ground located at the bottom of the plastic battery box enclosure. From the battery side of the car, look down at far right hand corner of the battery box, you'll see a connection post that sits on the cars frame rail, there should already be one or two ground connections attached there, just need to remove that nut and fasten your negative lead there. Any of the options posted will work, I just prefered to get it out of the way, and less likely to get inadvertently disconnected while charging.
Last edited by MAC5; Nov 5, 2008 at 11:56 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Tonganoxie KS
Just got my battery tender last month and I too also purchased the cigarette lighter accessory. The lighter attachment works great for me...I'm using the lighter port in the arm rest since it is easier to reach from outside the car. I would guess that if the lighter isn't working for you, it's either the lighter isn't getting power in the first place, or the lighter attachment to the battery tendermight not be completely connected to the tender unit...it takes a pretty good push to connect it to the cabling.
Try a circuit tester on the cigarette lighter and see if you have power...it should have power regardless of whether the key is in place or not.
Good luck.
Try a circuit tester on the cigarette lighter and see if you have power...it should have power regardless of whether the key is in place or not.
Good luck.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
make sure you have power at the lighter - either check the fuse or, better yet, get a meter in there and see if you've got 12 volts. if that's OK make sure you have the adapter pushed all the way in and that its making solid contact.when the adapter is making contact you should see a "connection" light on the chargeing unit.