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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 09:08 AM
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Default CTEK Question

Just picked up the CTEK 3300 for my 08 and was wondering how important it is to place the negative side to a piece of metal on the car? If so, where is a good location within reach? I've had a Battery Tender Plus for 12yrs and never used this method on either car or motorcycle batteries and never had any issues over the years.

Also, can it be hooked up over the winter months under a fairly heavy car cover?
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 09:16 AM
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yes, to the last question. just note the different settings for ambient temp. my gar. rarely goes to low 40s F.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 09:27 AM
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I have another question about the CTEK 3300 cig lighter adapter. The little plastic red cover that comes on the end of the adapter, that comes off & discard, right?
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Red Devil
Just picked up the CTEK 3300 for my 08 and was wondering how important it is to place the negative side to a piece of metal on the car? If so, where is a good location within reach? I've had a Battery Tender Plus for 12yrs and never used this method on either car or motorcycle batteries and never had any issues over the years.

Also, can it be hooked up over the winter months under a fairly heavy car cover?
I've used them for years hooked to the positive and negative terminals on the battery with no issues. I actually addressed this with C-Tek and they said it was fine to do it this way.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Red Devil
Just picked up the CTEK 3300 for my 08 and was wondering how important it is to place the negative side to a piece of metal on the car? If so, where is a good location within reach? I've had a Battery Tender Plus for 12yrs and never used this method on either car or motorcycle batteries and never had any issues over the years.

Also, can it be hooked up over the winter months under a fairly heavy car cover?
Not sure what "method" you're talking about. Definitely, any battery maintainer/charger must have both -- a pos & neg conection.

I experimented connecting my CTEK 3300 directly to the battery with removable alligator clips and with bolt-on eyelet adapters. Also tried a cigarette lighter adapter.

All are effective.

For me, the easiest is the cig adapter. The cord has both pos & neg wires... no need for a separate neg connection.

I use it continuously all winter with my C6 covered. Also use it regularly during driving seasons. No problems.

Originally Posted by CO Lightfoot
...

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Co...=pd_sim_auto_1

Either outlet works fine. And you can run the cord thru a notch in the door:



Just make sure you don't crimp the cord -- it should move easily when the door is closed...
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by KarrMar
I have another question about the CTEK 3300 cig lighter adapter. The little plastic red cover that comes on the end of the adapter, that comes off & discard, right?
The red plastic piece, on the far left?



Pretty sure it stays on... can't remember for sure, it's been a long winter and haven't seen the inside of my C6 for a while.

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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by CO Lightfoot
Not sure what "method" you're talking about. Definitely, any battery maintainer/charger must have both -- a pos & neg conection.

I experimented connecting my CTEK 3300 directly to the battery with removable alligator clips and with bolt-on eyelet adapters.
I am using the method above with the eyelet adapters directly to the battery. Did you have any issues with the positive/negative cable moving because the eyelet is not bigger then the rounded part of the nut? I figured I would use this method so I can leave it on the car all year around.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by CO Lightfoot
The red plastic piece, on the far left?



Pretty sure it stays on... can't remember for sure, it's been a long winter and haven't seen the inside of my C6 for a while.

Thats the one. I removed it on mine.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 04:31 PM
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I have a Ctek on my ZO6's rear mounted battery right now, with the unit in the car. Put the included eye ring pigtale on the battery cable studs with M6 thin nuts, and works fiine. Also have a second Ctek to maintain batteries in the basement that works very well. Use these on everything 12v lead/acid around here. Motorcycle, lawn mower, you name it.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 06:57 PM
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I left the red plastic piece on. I thought the same thing, but plugged it in with it on and all works fine.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Red Devil
I am using the method above with the eyelet adapters directly to the battery. Did you have any issues with the positive/negative cable moving because the eyelet is not bigger then the rounded part of the nut? I figured I would use this method so I can leave it on the car all year around.
I did the same thing the first time I installed the eyelets... it deforms the eyelets and prevents the cone-shaped nut from seating properly. Then, the clamp might loosen.

Don't do it that way.

Originally Posted by CO Lightfoot
...The CTEK 3300 comes with two adapters that you can connect directly to the battery.



If you want to attach the eyelet adapter to the battery, leave the original cone-shaped nuts alone and attach the eyelets with another regular 10mm nut on top of them.

I like the Ace Hardware "M6 nylon hex nut"... it's a 10mm nut that fits nicely and attaches securely...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...r-hook-up.html

Last edited by CO Lightfoot; Feb 11, 2012 at 07:09 PM.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by CO Lightfoot
I did the same thing the first time I installed the eyelets... it deforms the eyelets and prevents the cone-shaped nut from seating properly. Then, the clamp might loosen.

Don't do it that way.



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...r-hook-up.html
Always a wealth of knowledge, thanks!
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