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I'm about to get a new battery for my car and would overwhelmingly prefer it not to die from sitting like the last 2 (long story). I'd like to hardwire in a connector for my trickle charger, but would prefer not to have to crack the hood to get to it. The only ideas I've had have been either in the fender cove or the radiator inlet duct. I don't want to see it at all.
I have BatteryMinder battery maintainer which is connect to the center console power port. I had extra 12v power cord cigarettes adapter and modified it to connect to my battery tender/ maintainer.
I use a CTek when weather (aka snow) will keep my 'Vette off the road for any duration. I have been popping the hood to hook up the CTek and then set gently it back down (not fully closed) once hooked up. I put the (+) clip on the positive terminal of the battery and the (-) clip on the frame ground post located just below the battery.
I'd like to permanently wire in a CTek pigtail with the (+) eyelet on the fuse box (+) terminal and the (-) eyelet on the frame ground post (just haven't gotten to it, yet) and locate the CTek port so that it is accessible without popping the hood (just haven't figured out where, yet). The passenger wheel well would be easy, but I am concerned about water intrusion into the CTek port even though it has a rubber plug / cover.
The cigarette lighter is the Captain Obvious solution, but: (1) I'd have to open my door and fiddle f**k around to plug it in (for me, would rather open the hood at that point), and; (2) leaving the window cracked open for the power cord creates an entry point for mice. Mice enter my garage from time-to-time (I live in a country-side setting) as evidenced by mouse-trap results and game camera footage, so leaving a window open...even slightly...is not of interest to me.
Last edited by M.Y.02Z06; 04-03-2020 at 09:26 PM.
Reason: Details...details...
It seems like a power port could be routed to and placed (secured with a velcro tab) in the top of the air vent / outlet located on the passenger side fender, just below the battery. That would keep it out of the elements, out of sight, and easy to get to. I'll do a bit more research on this and follow up.
It seems like a power port could be routed to and placed (secured with a velcro tab) in the top of the air vent / outlet located on the passenger side fender, just below the battery. That would keep it out of the elements, out of sight, and easy to get to. I'll do a bit more research on this and follow up.
This was my initial thought too, but held in more securely than a piece of velcro. I think I want to go with a Milspec connector if I can as they use weatherproof caps when not in use.
Ease of installation won me over so I caved and put it in the wiper cowl.
Yes the car needs a bath and yes, I really need to spend some time on those body panel gaps. All said and done it sticks out like a sore thumb so here's to hoping it bugs me less in the days to come. Pretty tough to spot the wire routing in the engine bay though.
And then I managed to snap this sun baked little POS.
Either a call to the dealer is in order or I need to test my mettle with some JB Weld.
04-03-2020, 04:30 PM
Let's See Your Trickle Charge Ports
