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Battery tender hookup

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Old May 6, 2019 | 04:44 PM
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Default Battery tender hookup

Just want confirmation. There are multiple posts on the positive side of the battery. I can connect the tender to any of these posts without doing any damage or draw issues with the electronics of the car?

I know this seems kind of a stupid question, but with all the funky things a bad ground can do and how easy it is to fry electronics, I want to be sure.

Thanks.


Last edited by ~Stingray; May 6, 2019 at 04:50 PM.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 04:47 PM
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There's a power port right above there designed specifically for a battery tender. Just get the power port adapter and plug it in; done.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 04:50 PM
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Didn't realize they sold them separately. Will look into it, but I would still like to know the answer to the question.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 04:54 PM
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You can get them off Amazon for $7.

I don't know... I would hook up to the main positive on the battery. The positive terminal block you're referencing are the large fuses for the system. I have Amazon prime so 2 days and I had my power port adapter and never have to lift the carpet. Eventually that stupid flap will start to tear.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 05:00 PM
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One to positive, one to negative and nothing gets fried back there. I'd use the supplied cigarette receptacle for the hook up to not mess up the carpet.


Elmer

Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; May 6, 2019 at 05:01 PM.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 05:21 PM
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IIRC if a tender's clips are hooked up to wrong posts/poles, tender just blinks an error.
Same if/when only one clip's attached, which has happened to me, slipped off.
Tender faults-out & blinks.

Today's tenders are digital w/ built in protection, unlike the old chargers.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 05:31 PM
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Any terminal is fine, they are all +12V.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 06:53 PM
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RTFM seems to apply
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Old May 6, 2019 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Tool Hoarder
There's a power port right above there designed specifically for a battery tender. Just get the power port adapter and plug it in; done.
I agree, can't think any reason to connect a tender direct to the battery.
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Old May 6, 2019 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by ~Stingray
Didn't realize they sold them separately. Will look into it, but I would still like to know the answer to the question.
Here is the hookup for the CTEK factory charger:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Comfort-Connect-Plug/dp/B0016LA5O8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=BV0N1P3I9VSN&keywords=ctek+accessories&qid=1557190518&s=gateway&sprefix=ctek+%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-6 https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Comfort-Connect-Plug/dp/B0016LA5O8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=BV0N1P3I9VSN&keywords=ctek+accessories&qid=1557190518&s=gateway&sprefix=ctek+%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-6
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Old May 6, 2019 | 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by eboggs_jkvl
One to positive, one to negative and nothing gets fried back there. I'd use the supplied cigarette receptacle for the hook up to not mess up the carpet.


Elmer
I agree. When I was using my old Battery Tender Plus (no cigarette type receptacle), i would attach the clips to the actual positive/negative posts. And yes, there is a chance of messing up the carpeting by repeatedly folding it back to access the battery. If you can find one, get the adapter and just plug it into the receptacle.
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Old May 7, 2019 | 02:40 AM
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The danger in hooking those wires directly to the battery is not the potential to damage the electronics,
but the potential energy that could flow back thru those unfused wires if they were to become shorted.
Please follow the above advice and use the properly fused power point.
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Old May 7, 2019 | 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by eboggs_jkvl
One to positive, one to negative and nothing gets fried back there. I'd use the supplied cigarette receptacle for the hook up to not mess up the carpet.


Elmer
I think it needs to be said that I don't plan to keep pulling the carpet back. Once I put these cables on, I plan to leave it. The cargo net would hide the little wire sticking up to connect too.
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Old May 7, 2019 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by ~Stingray
I think it needs to be said that I don't plan to keep pulling the carpet back. Once I put these cables on, I plan to leave it. The cargo net would hide the little wire sticking up to connect too.
WHY? There's a plug right there... ANd yes, they sell plug adapters with a fuse. Or you can put a fuse inline... It's not that hard...
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Old May 7, 2019 | 08:04 AM
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GM provides a gorgeous port just for this purpose......I swear no one reads their owners manual. Even if you dont have the GM charger, or some generic, just buy a cigar lighter adapter, solder it on, plug it in.
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Old May 7, 2019 | 08:10 AM
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I was well aware of the port. I get it, people. You want me to use the port. I asked because I have a tender without the appropriate plug. No point to go buy more stuff if what I have already works.

Now if it was going to be a major PIA, then I would look elsewhere, but it would literately take 2 minutes to unscrew a nut and retighten. And then never think about it again.
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Old May 7, 2019 | 08:13 AM
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Why put extra attachments on the wiring when for $6.95 you can get one of these and leave the battery alone!

On Amazon On Amazon
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Old May 7, 2019 | 08:20 AM
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Buy the adapter and use the port like everyone says. That is what it is there for. You avoid the risk of arcing on the terminals which could impact the car's electronics
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Old May 7, 2019 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Apocolips
Why put extra attachments on the wiring when for $6.95 you can get one of these and leave the battery alone!

On Amazon
Absolutely right...unless your tender doesnt have the disconnect, which some dont!
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Old May 7, 2019 | 08:32 AM
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Amazing.
All this over an inexpensive plug adapter.
These are the things that cause all of the warning stickers.
Amazing.
VH
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