Battery Tender?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
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Battery Tender?
In the wake of my most recient maintenance go-round Ive decided to look into hard wiring a Battery Tender to my batteries since the truck sits for 1/2 the year. Ive googled the topic and came up with a few hits on various other diesel related sites. So, theres a bunch of people doing it and the Battery Tender I have will work fine. Question; what experience do you fellas have with this and if your running one how do you have it wired? There were 2 different popular views on this from what I've read. 1. Positive to one battery and negitive to other battery or 2. Both positive and negitive on one battery. Experiences, thoughts, feedback, suggestions? Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
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From: Madison, WI
With the two batteries in parallel, it makes no difference to which battery you connect it. It would actually be a cleaner install to connect the positive to the main power junction terminal on the starter relay, and connect the negative to a ground bolt on the fender. I have only one automatic trickle charger for three trucks, and I installed quick-disconnects on all three trucks in this manner, with the QD connector sticking out between the hood and grille on the passenger side. I even have one sticking out between the hood and headlight on my Saturn, and the charger (really more of a maintainer) works great on all four vehicles.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 4
With the two batteries in parallel, it makes no difference to which battery you connect it. It would actually be a cleaner install to connect the positive to the main power junction terminal on the starter relay, and connect the negative to a ground bolt on the fender. I have only one automatic trickle charger for three trucks, and I installed quick-disconnects on all three trucks in this manner, with the QD connector sticking out between the hood and grille on the passenger side. I even have one sticking out between the hood and headlight on my Saturn, and the charger (really more of a maintainer) works great on all four vehicles.
Thanks, yeah that sounds much cleaner. I was thinking about installing 1 of these inlets for it on the bumper, maybe one for the block heater too.. Trouble is finding one with a std 110v male and not the 3 prong marinized version..
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
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My idea was to mount the tender under the hood too, so both inlets will be for 110v. One for the block heater and one the battery maintainer. Its not that it has an extra tab its that the tabs are in a circle pattern for a twist lock so your plug doesnt fall in the H20.. They may make a std one tho..
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
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Fleet Mechanic
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I took a look at them w a quick google search. The idea is I want to be able to use any old extension cord.
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