Battery Tender Connection

[Geerhed]

Any one have any tips or suggestions about placing battery tender so you do not have to get in the truck to disconnect every time? Any one run any longer jumpers out of the trunk etc. etc.?

 

[Jimmy N.]

Run an extension from the posts under the hood, just like for a block heater.

 

[MJS73]

It shouldn't be connected directly to the battery, use the posts under the hood.

 

[1971demon]

It shouldn't be connected directly to the battery, use the posts under the hood.

Just curious...is there a difference

 

[SilverBillet]

My battery tender has a disconnect in the wires. I guess you can leave the wire connected to the battery or posts under the hood and just disconnect the battery tender from the pigtail? It’s long enough that the hood can be closed and the connector can be left sticking out. It has a plug to cap the exposed end

 

[GdBye]

On the passenger side of the engine bay, there is a positive post (red) and just behind that is the grounding post (looks like a bolt). Connect the alligator clips to those posts, and you are good to go. Better than trying to access the battery through the trunk IMO. Not sure if you are storing it for the winter in Ohio, but if so, you might want to consider adding Stabil to the fuel, pumping the tires to 45-50 psi to avoid flat spots developing, take precautions to ward off the rodents, etc. I also put some dessicant packs inside the interior and trunk and leave my windows cracked open to help minimize the chance that mold develops. Good luck and lets pray for an early Spring!

 

[Geerhed]

Thank you all for the intel. Never gave thought to the post under the hood. That will solve the issue for sure. Garage is insulated tight rodent proofed with back up plan if any enter from open doors got that coved ( retired Mgt. 39 years in Exterminating lol)Never gave thought to increasing air pressure to tires will do that today, but did put Stabil in fuel back in November when I winterized the boat. Do not have extreme temp changes in the garage no freezing inside garage since I built it last 25 years ,but do have that issue with boat in pole barn with no insulation at all, so good idea for the boat storage to use desiccant packs as temps in the barn are wild as a buck producing mold ,but did rodent proof the pole barn as well when I built it.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Just curious...is there a difference

There is if you're using a maintainer with desulfation. Those should ideally be connected directly to the battery.
But on the Challengers I still use the connections under the hood.

 

[Geerhed]

There is if you're using a maintainer with desulfation. Those should ideally be connected directly to the battery.
But on the Challengers I still use the connections under the hood.

Jimmy please explain for if you will not sure I understand why the extension would make a difference?

 

[Jimmy N.]

Jimmy please explain for if you will not sure I understand why the extension would make a difference?

I'm guessing that the high frequency pulses that makes up the desulfation part of the maintainer lose efficiency over distances.

For example, BatteryMINDer came out with a larger and more powerful maintainer for applications where the leads couldn't or wouldn't be connected to the battery.

 

[Geerhed]

Thanks. Nice to know.

 

[Catless]

I used a Battery Tender hooked to the connections under the hood for 7 years in my first SRT and current HC for 6 years and never had battery issue.

 

[HWDan]

I use a Noco Genius 10 with a quick connect wired under the hood for a more solid connection. 4th season now, never a problem.

 

[BULL]

As with any DC circuit, voltage drop occurs with distance, the question is whether there is enough cable length to cause a problem.

If the maintenance programming is trying to keep the battery at some voltage (12.7?), but you have a couple of tenths worth of voltage drop, then the maintainer will (try?) to charge at it's designed voltage but the battery will be at a higher voltage?

Should be very easy to test. Hook up maintainer at battery, check voltage (make certain it's actually in its cycle), then hook up at the under hood post locations and check voltage at posts, and then again at battery.

If you're using a quality DMM, you'll easily see a difference. Then it's just a matter of determining if the drop is inside or outside of the maintenance range.

 

[1971demon]

As with any DC circuit, voltage drop occurs with distance, the question is whether there is enough cable length to cause a problem.

If the maintenance programming is trying to keep the battery at some voltage (12.7?), but you have a couple of tenths worth of voltage drop, then the maintainer will (try?) to charge at it's designed voltage but the battery will be at a higher voltage?

Should be very easy to test. Hook up maintainer at battery, check voltage (make certain it's actually in its cycle), then hook up at the under hood post locations and check voltage at posts, and then again at battery.

If you're using a quality DMM, you'll easily see a difference. Then it's just a matter of determining if the drop is inside or outside of the maintenance range.

Yer givin me a headache..hook it up to the battery..then crack open a beer and forget it.....(now don't get mad)

 

[Mike L.]

I do mine under the hood. I check it from time to time with DVM and it never gets below 12.7V

 

[jroyk]

I’ve been connecting a Battery Tender Plus under the hood for four winter hibernations, now. Each spring it starts like I had shut it off the day before.

 

[Geerhed]

Thank you Gentleman. Used battery Tenders for many years just never used one on the front mounted Terminal's of the Chargers/Challengers/300's.they were always started and used daily. This Hellcat is not being driven all winter. Thanks for the Intel.

 

[1971demon]

I’ve been connecting a Battery Tender Plus under the hood for four winter hibernations, now. Each spring it starts like I had shut it off the day before.

The Demon..is direct battery hook up..the HC..under the hood..they both work fine...

 

[B5Cat16]

Can I ask which battery tender is the best for our cars or is it a matter of personal preference? BTW, this article was very helpful. THANK YOU!!!

Mike