Battery Tender

[bayfeet]

Would a battery tender through the cigarette lighter keep the battery on my 04 charged? Ed

[Ski]

Re: Battery Tender

Not being mechanically or electrically minded I think it would drain the battery - doesn't make much sense on the face of it, even to me. Got to plug the battery tender into a wall outlet.

[Southern]

Re: Battery Tender

Yes it would work. Had a BMW that I did that way.
Plug the input to the Battery tender into the wall....the output into the Cig lighter. 110 in/12v out.

[Ski]

Re: Battery Tender

Oops, I misunderstood the intent.

[Bruce]

Re: Battery Tender

Ed, I would be interested in a battery tender (2Amps) that would plug into the cigarette. Can you provide information on it. Thanks.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Battery Tender

Ed, I would be interested in a battery tender (2Amps) that would plug into the cigarette. Can you provide information on it. Thanks.

Battery Tender Cigarette Lighter Adapter

[PITTBIRDS]

Re: Battery Tender

This may be a convenient way to charge you battery and there is a similar jumper cable set up that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter, but I would have some concern.

My concern is that we don't know the rating or size of the wire and what else it is connected to behind the cigarette lighter. If there would be a surge of power coming from another battery or battery charger, the wiring behind the cigarette lighter may burn and or cause major damage to the car's electrical system. I recommend connecting any other battery or battery charger directly to the Thunderbird battery.

[bayfeet]

Re: Battery Tender

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't know if the cigarette lighter stayed hot or not. It looks like the battery connection would be the best, I appreciated the advice concerning the cigarette lighter wiring. Thanks Again, Ed

[Kokomo]

Re: Battery Tender

A battery tender is not meant to charge quickly, it only has a trickle charge to maintain battery capacity. Two amps is definitely not near as much as the cigarette lighter socket can handle. Both of the lighter sockets in our birds are "always on". I wouldn't have any reservations about using this type of battery tender. I am an electrical engineer.

I have never needed to worry about keeping the battery charged since my car is a daily driver.

[Southern]

Re: Battery Tender

This is a picture of the unit I used on the BMW. As you can see it is a BMW accessory.
This would be a good unit for the Tbird.
But of course, being BMW, it costs. Something like $60 IIRC.

[gp97]

Re: Battery Tender

I have a Sears Diehard battery maintainer. I comes with the option to attach it to your battery or plug it in to your cigarette lighter. I used the cigarette lighter simply because it was easy. It worked with no problems.
Gary

[luvbird]

Re: Battery Tender

I ve used the cigarete lighter to charge every year since 2002 and I still have the original battery that came in the car.

[BirdWingsToo]

Re: Battery Tender

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't know if the cigarette lighter stayed hot or not. It looks like the battery connection would be the best, I appreciated the advice concerning the cigarette lighter wiring. Thanks Again, Ed

Ed, in case it wasn't clear from other replies, yes, both stay hot when the ignition is off.

FWIW, I connect my tender directly to the battery anyway, mainly because I'd rather have a cord going into the trunk all winter than into the cabin. Not wanting to shut the trunk (or a door for that matter) all the way on an electrical cord that's to be left unattended for long periods, I leave the trunk ajar. I stuff a folded up paper towel into the hole where the trunk switch is to hold the switch down, so that the trunk light doesn't stay on (low tech, but it works). I also leave the car unlocked so that the alarm isn't engaged all winter, because if it's on, it will also draw current.

Cheers,

Kevin

[MATBird]

Re: Battery Tender

Kevin, to keep my lid ajar, I lay my CA duster on the trunk ledge, drop the lid and put on the cover. Been doing that since 2002.
That's after I hook up the battery tender of course

[Sumerbird]

Re: Battery Tender

[QUOTE=gp97;416893]I have a Sears Diehard battery maintainer. I comes with the option to attach it to your battery or plug it in to your cigarette lighter. I used the cigarette lighter simply because it was easy. It worked with no problems.
Gary[/QUOTE


Same here