Just connect it to the two bolts that are already there. That's what I did, its been just fine since the truck was new.

 

Ah, now that's a good idea, thanks! I didn't realize that those are just blank plastic panels, but do now! Also, I cringe when I think about drilling through a body panel and paint, so this is the perfect solution.

 

I had the same exact concerns lol. A 2" hole saw worked perfectly for the remote plug. Didn't even have to remove the plastic plate, just be sure to confirm there's nothing behind that plate before drilling.

 

I already have a NOCO GCP1 installed on the passenger side that is connected to the engine block heater. I picked up another one that I will install on the drivers side. I went for the GCP1E this time though since it has a 6 foot cord instead of the shorter 16" cord. The 16" cord worked great for the engine block heater since the cord was already ran to this area, but I want to install the NOCO 2D in the open spot behind the primary coolant reservoir. The NOCO 2D only comes with a 24" cord on each end, so I need the extra length on the GCP1E to make it that far to make the connection.



I thought those were just hold down bolts and wasn't sure if they were supposed to be used as connection points.

 

Same here, but after closer examination they're part of the assembly that attaches to the cable. So, yeah, they'll work just as well as drilling a hole for a new bolt. All that plastic piece does is push the clamping piece around the battery post.

BTW, glad you mentioned the length of the cable on the remote connector. I didn't think about that factor, and I reckon I'll have to extend that. I have a ton of PC equipment power cables, so I'll cannibalize one of those and solder up a longer length cable (heat shrinked for weatherproofing, as well).

Edit: Turns out that I won't have to extend the cable from the remote receptacle after all, the Noco's power cable has plenty of length (provided I mount it somewhere between the battery and receptacle). It's not like I'm going to mount it on the firewall.

 

I may try those hold down post for a while then and see how it does. At least for a while until I figure out what's going on with my batteries, that way if I have to bring it in they can't deny anything...

 

I have seen a few of these around. Most are made for positive terminal only as the negative side of accessories is typically to body ground.

 

I saw those but didn't wan to have to cut the end off the Ford cable.

 

There are others out like the one you just described. I can't seem to find the link, but I found it on one of those overlander truck accessory sites.

 

This is where I hook up my Schumacher smart charger. It does just fine charging up the battery in that position.

 

I just purchased the Noco Genius 2.

Connected it to my passenger side battery on my 7.3. PSD Batteries about 2 years old.

Not sure how long it took, but in the morning the Noco had progressed to the green light, indicating it was fully charged. At that point it glows green and slightly pulses. I assume that means it is now a battery maintainer/trickle charger. It has a 4 light progression that is essentially like a meter.

Then I used it on my Subaru with an almost new battery. Hooked it up and it was done in about 1 hour or less. Did not time it. This battery was 2 years old and failed. Subaru replaced it NC. Subaru was sued on this battery issue and some kind of campaign is in place now to replace the battery NC. On many late model Subaru vehicles. They blamed it on the auto start/stop feature using too much power.
I had not been using the car much so there is that.

Note: I broke down again 2 days later. Opened up the hood and found that the dealer mechanic never secured 1 of the terminals properly. And left a brand new, Snap on 10 mm ratcheting open end wrench on the cowl !

Good news was that the Subaru dealer did replace the battery as soon as I drove there. No waiting for an appointment, like the Ford dealers around these parts.

I used to use the Battery Tender Jr but it finally gave up the ghost. I did abuse it for years charging 2 batteries at the same time. And leaving it on a motorcycle battery for many years. Battery died eventually even with the tender. I like this inexpensive Noco 2 much better as it is a charger as well as a trickle charger and has a setting for charging a battery that is completely dead, 12v, 6v, lead acid, AGM and lithium batteries.

Small and waterproof. Not a sponsored review! Just my anecdotal experience.

 

I did the exact same as B-man above, stainless hardware and all. Works great.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I thought about going with the regular NOCO 2 so it would be easy to remove and use in multiple vehicles/situations, but I opted to just get 2 of the 2D’s and permanently install one on both of our vehicles. But just the NOCO 2 was a very close second on my list.

I just need to figure out the batteries now. They don’t seem to be holding a charge very well. I have randomly checked them and found it around 12.2V and one other time at 11.8V another time, which is very bad. (I need to get them properly tested though.) I am also wondering if the low voltage is part of the reason my drivers side mirror is starting to have issues opening all the way some of the time. It’s very slow now and I have noticed that if I crank the truck while it’s still opening the mirror will just stop there. The passenger side is doing fine though.

Before I run to the dealer I am trying to rule out if anything I have added is drawing the battery down. I disconnected the parking mode in my BlackVue dash cam and made sure nothing is in the ports that I added under the Builtright dash mount (which is connected to an always on fuse). No devices were connected but I had cords left plugged into them… I don’t think that would draw any power but I unplugged them anyway. I have checked the draw using an ammeter and the current seems to fluctuate but the lowest I have seen it was at around 0.4A. I need to pop the hood and leave it open for a while and keep the keys away and then recheck it… I don’t know if the proximity thing in the keys will wake up systems…

Anyway, it looks like the 2D will be here today so I may try using them for a while and see what happens.

 

I added a stainless bolt to drivers side for my NOCO. The remote charger plug hides in grill. Old FD trick to remember shore power is to loop extension cord thru drivers door handle. I use a piece of paracord.

 

I just got these in for my winch install. They aren't on yet but are very good quality. They make them for both terminals which I got.

https://www.knukonceptz.com/mobile-a...tery-terminal/