Battery maintainer
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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Battery maintainer
I don't use my '05 with V10 much in the winter. Can a battery maintainer be wired permanently to the battery or does it need to be disconnected when the truck is running.
If it can be, does it get too hot under the hood to mount it there?
Thanks.
If it can be, does it get too hot under the hood to mount it there?
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 256
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It will be fine under there. A lot of them come designed to mount under the hood with a short plug to stick out of the grille like a block heater.
I use a Battery Tender on my motorcycle and it has it's own quick disconnect plug. This leaves the tender at home and available to use on other batteries or vehicles. The plug end stays on the bike and other stuff can plug into it when the tender isn't being used. I'm sure that plenty of other manufacturers have the same or similar setup.
You can see the plug here:
I use a Battery Tender on my motorcycle and it has it's own quick disconnect plug. This leaves the tender at home and available to use on other batteries or vehicles. The plug end stays on the bike and other stuff can plug into it when the tender isn't being used. I'm sure that plenty of other manufacturers have the same or similar setup.
You can see the plug here:
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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It will be fine under there. A lot of them come designed to mount under the hood with a short plug to stick out of the grille like a block heater.
I use a Battery Tender on my motorcycle and it has it's own quick disconnect plug. This leaves the tender at home and available to use on other batteries or vehicles. The plug end stays on the bike and other stuff can plug into it when the tender isn't being used. I'm sure that plenty of other manufacturers have the same or similar setup.
I use a Battery Tender on my motorcycle and it has it's own quick disconnect plug. This leaves the tender at home and available to use on other batteries or vehicles. The plug end stays on the bike and other stuff can plug into it when the tender isn't being used. I'm sure that plenty of other manufacturers have the same or similar setup.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 351
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From: South Texas/RGV
That's the standard setup on boats and RVs. As soon as you start the generator or hook up to shore power the charger/maintainer automatically receives power and is kept wired up at all time. Just make sure that it is the automatic type unless it is a trickle charger.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
From the manual:
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
"2) Do not expose charger to rain or snow" = NOT waterproof
"5) An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary."
CHARGER LOCATION
"a) Locate charger as far away from battery as dc cables permit"
Personally, I'd run the leads provided from the battery to a convenient location (grille, wheel well, etc.). I'd then either buy the 12.5 ft or 25 ft extension from the company or even just make an extension (those quick-disconnects are easy to find at most auto parts stores or you can make your own using Anderson Power Poles) that would run from your truck side connector into your garage (under the garage door, etc.) where you'd then connect it to the actual battery tender.
They do make waterproof ones designed to be mounted on motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. that are waterproof that you could mount under the hood with no worries.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
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From: Sacramento Area
I only run this since the battery it charges (a 1000cca boat anchor) is for us to use during emergency deployments to power radios, winch, etc. It's nice to just have it ready to go with no worries like "oh, I was going to charge that this weekend but now I have to use it".
But then again for certain things I have OCD and that would keep me up at night, lol.
But then again for certain things I have OCD and that would keep me up at night, lol.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
i have a 1.5A trickle charger mounted behind my bumper and hooked permanently to the battery. when i go on vacation and its not being driven every day i plug it in keeps it in tip top shape.
Schumacher SE-1-12S-CA Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps
Schumacher SE-1-12S-CA Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Modern vehicles tend to have a low level drain on the battery built right in, because of all the electronics - the clock for one thing, passive alarm system, and golly knows what else, sometimes takes up to a half hour after shutdown to settle down. It's not much, but it doesn't help. I'd bet this contributes to a shorter battery life? And don't disconnect the battery, because depending on the make and model can require a trip to the dealer.!
Can't make this stuff up.
Can't make this stuff up.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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i have a 1.5A trickle charger mounted behind my bumper and hooked permanently to the battery. when i go on vacation and its not being driven every day i plug it in keeps it in tip top shape.
Schumacher SE-1-12S-CA Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps
Schumacher SE-1-12S-CA Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps : Amazon.com : Automotive
Schumacher SE-1-12S-CA Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps
Schumacher SE-1-12S-CA Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger - 1.5 Amps : Amazon.com : Automotive
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Modern vehicles tend to have a low level drain on the battery built right in, because of all the electronics - the clock for one thing, passive alarm system, and golly knows what else, sometimes takes up to a half hour after shutdown to settle down. It's not much, but it doesn't help. I'd bet this contributes to a shorter battery life? And don't disconnect the battery, because depending on the make and model can require a trip to the dealer.!
Can't make this stuff up.
Can't make this stuff up.