Installed Battery Tender (small project)
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
Installed Battery Tender (small project)
My batteries need to be replaced, short and sweet, but I didn't want to spend the money - actually cant' right now. I had this battery tender sitting around and my batteries are good for maybe two starts, if it doesn't start then, I will need a jump. So I decided to install this tender and connect it up to the current plugin for the heaters. I only wanted one cord showing out the front - also conencted a cable so in case I forget to disconnect it will not wreck anything on the inside.
So I redid the wire going in, put new ends and installed a three plug extension. The heaters and tender plugs into that (its orange in the pics below). So there is one plug left which would be nice to connect an actual heater to heat the cab (I have to keep the truck outside and it takes forever to warm up). - but I am waiting on this.
Keep in mind, this is no way as cool as other projects on here but it was my first as a start, open up for feedback or better ideas please, thanks.
Shows the new cord
Shows picture of the plugins
Another View
Finished
So I redid the wire going in, put new ends and installed a three plug extension. The heaters and tender plugs into that (its orange in the pics below). So there is one plug left which would be nice to connect an actual heater to heat the cab (I have to keep the truck outside and it takes forever to warm up). - but I am waiting on this.
Keep in mind, this is no way as cool as other projects on here but it was my first as a start, open up for feedback or better ideas please, thanks.
Shows the new cord
Shows picture of the plugins
Another View
Finished
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
I noticed the voltage on my truck drops down faster than my old 75 f-250 so I purchased the marine version [ water resistence ] battery tender,was going to bolt it under the hood, then changed my mind and put quick disconnects on pu,boat,camper,sled trailor.I leave the tender on pu most of the time but borrow once per month to top off other batteries.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
Cropharvester - that is a great idea. I want to purchase the promariner charger and put it in the boat, but thins move around too much - still like the disconnect idea. I purchased three tenders in the package from a garage sale for 10.00 a piece and they work great.
SpringerPop - let me know what method you use when you do it, your projects are always fun to follow - and I am sure there is a better way to do this. I used a truck mud flap as the cover inside the wheel well (sp?), just cut it up a little
.
Thanks fellas, my first project without searching on here first - although I try to always search first.
SpringerPop - let me know what method you use when you do it, your projects are always fun to follow - and I am sure there is a better way to do this. I used a truck mud flap as the cover inside the wheel well (sp?), just cut it up a little
. Thanks fellas, my first project without searching on here first - although I try to always search first
.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
This is the minder I use in winter(truck sits mostly). I use wing nuts to connect to drivers side so easy disconnect if needed.
BatteryMINDer 12 Volt 1.5A OnBoard Battery Charger/Maintainer, Desulfator, Conditioner: BatteryMart.com
BatteryMINDer 12 Volt 1.5A OnBoard Battery Charger/Maintainer, Desulfator, Conditioner: BatteryMart.com
New User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I would check out genius battery charger, Genius Battery Chargers | Car, Boat, Motorcycle, Auto & On-Board. They make alot of different chargers and work really well. I own two of them, a gen1 for my bobcat that i leave outdoors, and a g1100 for my harley. they also have good tech support, so if u have ?'s, i would call them.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Melrose MN
That is what I do, at work I can have my truck plugged in all day keep battery charged and keep the engine warm. I think it helps esp since it is a short trip to work. Does anyone know of a good timer a guy could use at home.
Trending Topics
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,481
Likes: 5,542
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i use solar battery tenders.
the first ones were brand name, and cost around $50 each.
then around 6-7 years ago i noticed harbor freight was selling them for $19.99 and tried one of them. i now have a harbor freight solar charger in everything i own. most are over 5 years old and they work fine.
the first ones were brand name, and cost around $50 each.
then around 6-7 years ago i noticed harbor freight was selling them for $19.99 and tried one of them. i now have a harbor freight solar charger in everything i own. most are over 5 years old and they work fine.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
I use to use a digital timer because I didn't think keeping it plugged in was a good idea. I programmed it to turn on 8hrs before I woke up, I was still trying to gauge how long it takes to actually heat things up. The issue I had is it fried my programmer. Very "odd", but this programmer although old, always worked fine and then one day "poof" it had some very hot marks and fried something inside. I don't remember the brand and I contribute it to the age of the device, but maybe the current drawn was a factor - not sure. Either way, I love having it warmed up before I start it, however I still remember during tech day the guys telling me to 1) make sure you always warm the truck up and 2) The temp gauge warm mark is only for display and you should let it get above that line. Any how, if you figure out the right amount of time to plug in so it reaches the warm mark let us know, as I will need to replace my programmer ASAP .
.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Hot Springs
The other morning, it was pretty cold out and my truck was not plugged in. Seems as though the cold killed my batteries. Hit the key and let the WTS light go out and tried to start it. Volt meter DROPPED. Actually it could be a bad connection on one or both batteries. Till I get time to pull it in the shop, I connected one of these: XM1-5: Should do fine for now til I get around to cleaning the terminals and installing a "true" maintainer. I am a volunteer firefighter so I need this thing to crank ANY time. It may go a couple days not getting started.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
I was a volunteer fire for 10 years, always had my chevy plugged into the block heater (gasser), and when it was cold out, others would wait to warm up, and I would make first out engine because my windshield was defrosted and truck warm .
Let me know how your final project turns out - always interested in how others do their trucks. Actually that metal slip on (the wire) is what we originally used on the trucks so we wouldn't pull the cord out (old school).
.Let me know how your final project turns out - always interested in how others do their trucks. Actually that metal slip on (the wire) is what we originally used on the trucks so we wouldn't pull the cord out (old school).
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
Nice project.. Got me thinking about doing this on my jeep wrangler that i plow with.. It sits a lot.. And when i need to plow snow, I have to jump it with the "box"..
I have a tender or two laying around in the basement.. I am going to this over the weekend.. Thanks for idea..
I have a tender or two laying around in the basement.. I am going to this over the weekend.. Thanks for idea..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
john fin
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
32
Mar 11, 2012 04:44 PM