Batt Tender

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Oct 22, 2013 | 08:46 PM

steve9107

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From: Grand Rapids Michigan

Batt Tender

Powered up my Vecter 1/2 amp battery tender on my 07 Coupe last week. Today I found the tender making a rapid "clicking" or rattling noise along with both green and amber light glowing. This condition continues for about 30 seconds - then only green light glows. Then the tender repeats the above.

I connected the red clamp to + battery terminal, the - on an exhaust manifold bolt.

Does anyone have a clue what is causing this?

Oct 22, 2013 | 10:05 PM

Gearhead Jim

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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago

St. Jude Donor '13

The only things I can think of are:

Bad connection to battery/car.

Bad wire to or from tender.

Defective tender.

99% of the time when I have a problem, it's #1.
Once in 30 years, it was #2.

Oct 23, 2013 | 09:32 AM

steve9107

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From: Grand Rapids Michigan

Thanks GJ.

Oct 23, 2013 | 09:42 AM

4SUMERZ

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Why wouldn't you want to connect tender to (+) and (-) of battery.
Try that first to see if the tender does the same thing. If it does, maybe the tender is going bad.

Oct 23, 2013 | 05:03 PM

saplumr

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From: Saint Albans, WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by LV2TOUR

Why wouldn't you want to connect tender to (+) and (-) of battery.
Try that first to see if the tender does the same thing. If it does, maybe the tender is going bad.

I guess I'm not sure what the reason would be for not connecting the negative clip to the battery anyway.

Oct 23, 2013 | 05:35 PM

Gearhead Jim

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Quote:

Originally Posted by saplumr

I guess I'm not sure what the reason would be for not connecting the negative clip to the battery anyway.

I think the idea is that you can get a spark from the connection, and a charging battery gives off hydrogen gas.

We are supposed to connect positive to the battery, then negative to a ground somewhere else so any spark will be away from the battery. I will plead guilty to not always doing it that way.

Oct 23, 2013 | 08:37 PM

steve9107

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From: Grand Rapids Michigan

Right GJ, instructions for the tender call for - connection away from battery.

I removed the negative connector from the exhaust manifold bolt, cleaned the bolt head with sandpaper. I did notice a bit of surface rust - not much (I cleaned the bolt head last year). After applying a little oil on the bolt head to prevent further corrosion I connected the negative clamp and powered up the tender = working fine. I didn't think corrosion would be an issue as I cleaned the bolt last season and never drive in the rain, but I see humidity is a factor. From now on I'll clean the connection every season.

Thanks guys.