Battery Maintainer - Where did you put the plug?

[Jeff D.]

Interested in where people with an Ecoboost hooked the negative lead for the battery charger under the hood when using a harness instead of the clamp-on option. I did not spot any good locations close to the battery.

B2000, I would've preferred mounting it where the negative cable mounts to the body, but I didn't want to disturb the connection, so I mounted it to the inner fender nearby, as shown in the second pic. I believe there was already a hole. I took a dremel and ground away the paint so the bolt would have a good connection. I've been using this for almost a year and have had no issues. I've not one instance of deep sleep yet.

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[Tbone289]

Interested in where people with an Ecoboost hooked the negative lead for the battery charger under the hood when using a harness instead of the clamp-on option. I did not spot any good locations close to the battery.

There are two chassis grounds under the air filter box.

 

[B2000]

B2000, I would've preferred mounting it where the negative cable mounts to the body, but I didn't want to disturb the connection, so I mounted it to the inner fender nearby, as shown in the second pic. I believe there was already a hole. I took a dremel and ground away the paint so the bolt would have a good connection. I've been using this for almost a year and have had no issues. I've not one instance of deep sleep yet.

I thought the same thing and did not want to disturb the factory battery ground. How often do you charge it?

I've had my 23 for a year and a half and did not see the notice on FordPass until recently but now I have seen it twice. I don't drive it a lot but it sits in a garage that does not get very cold.

 

[B2000]

There are two chassis grounds under the air filter box.

Good idea- will look for those.

 

[Jeff D.]

I thought the same thing and did not want to disturb the factory battery ground. How often do you charge it?

I've had my 23 for a year and a half and did not see the notice on FordPass until recently but now I have seen it twice. I don't drive it a lot but it sits in a garage that does not get very cold.

I usually plug it in when I think I won't be driving it for a few days. Friday night after I get home from work, for example.

I thought I'd just be very careful and wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to unplug it, but I still did. I entered the garage from the open garage door instead of the regular door one day and sure enough backed out without disconnecting it because I didn't look at it as I was passing by.

Didn't hurt anything, but a person should keep it in mind when routing and securing the cord to the vehicle.

 

[Tbone289]

You could prop the hood open while you charge like I do. You will never forget to disconnect it. This is one of the reasons I mount my charge cable under the hood. I charge in the garage though; I understand why someone who frequently charges outside would want it mounted on the outside of the truck.

 

[jb_cb900]

 

[Old_Norm]

Interested in where people with an Ecoboost hooked the negative lead for the battery charger under the hood when using a harness instead of the clamp-on option. I did not spot any good locations close to the battery.

See post #18.

I usually plug it in when I think I won't be driving it for a few days. Friday night after I get home from work, for example.

I thought I'd just be very careful and wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to unplug it, but I still did. I entered the garage from the open garage door instead of the regular door one day and sure enough backed out without disconnecting it because I didn't look at it as I was passing by.

Didn't hurt anything, but a person should keep it in mind when routing and securing the cord to the vehicle.

Being prone to a lack of attention in my dotage, I've been looking for a quick disconnect plug that would separate easily when I forget to unplug the maintainer. So far no luck. Anyone have a source for such a plug?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

See post #18.

Being prone to a lack of attention in my dotage, I've been looking for a quick disconnect plug that would separate easily when I forget to unplug the maintainer. So far no luck. Anyone have a source for such a plug?

I have magnetic disconnect plugs for my phone/computer USB ports. Magnets line up the data and charge wires pop on and off. Haven't seen one for battery charger but possibly made?

 

[Tbone289]

See post #18.

Being prone to a lack of attention in my dotage, I've been looking for a quick disconnect plug that would separate easily when I forget to unplug the maintainer. So far no luck. Anyone have a source for such a plug?

I have magnetic disconnect plugs for my phone/computer USB ports. Magnets line up the data and charge wires pop on and off. Haven't seen one for battery charger but possibly made?

Those types of connections are usually reserved for lower current applications, not the 4-10A range of an automotive charger. SAE DC connectors come apart easily enough that nothing would be damaged if you drove off with them connected, unless you do it many times.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Those types of connections are usually reserved for lower current connections, not the 4-10A range of an automotive charger. SAE DC connectors come apart easily enough that nothing would be damaged if you drove off with them connected, unless you do it many times.

Yes he could wire a cigarette lighter plug with an attached braided steel cable to extract the plug when he backs out of garage. Just need a spring loaded door to close when came out.

 

[Old_Norm]

Yes he could wire a cigarette lighter plug with an attached braided steel cable to extract the plug when he backs out of garage. Just need a spring loaded door to close when came out.

Now that's an idea. When it warms up I'm installing a spring loaded reel to hold the extension cord. I'll have a covered outdoor outlet that I can pull the extension cord from to connect to the truck. I could put the cigarette lighter plug somewhere In the extension cord. Only problem would be weather proofing the lighter plug.

 

[Jeff D.]

I use this type of cord for the heated visor on my snowmobile helmet, but I don't know if it could carry the wattage needed for a trickle charger/battery tender.

It's magnetic, and very nice for connecting and disconnecting. It has RCA type terminals on the ends.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-ele...nowmobile+helmet+cord+magnetic,aps,141&sr=8-4

 

[Old_Norm]

I use this type of cord for the heated visor on my snowmobile helmet, but I don't know if it could carry the wattage needed for a trickle charger/battery tender.

It's magnetic, and very nice for connecting and disconnecting. It has RCA type terminals on the ends.

Does your heated visor work with batteries or is it reachable? Pretty sure it wouldn't carry 120 V. But perhaps someone who actually knows what they are talking about can chime in.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Does your heated visor work with batteries or is it reachable? Pretty sure it wouldn't carry 120 V. But perhaps someone who actually knows what they are talking about can chime in.

I'm talking about connecting the cig plug to the jump posts in hybrid possibly to battery POS and body ground in EB. This is available to replace clamps on my noco g5/g10. Cig plug in grill or bumper?

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