kjelly

I'm going on a trip and I need to leave my car untended for a few months. I bought one of those portable battery chargers (the one you can plug into the power outlet) since I don't want to disconnect my battery. My question is, does the key in the ignition have to be turned to "On" for the power outlet to accept power from the portable battery unit?

Thanks in advance for any help!

NFLblitze1

im not sure about accepting power....but the car needs to be ON in order to output power...maybe its the same way around, maybe not...hope this helps

Brettg

Most cars have the lighter socket on with the key out, so one
can light their doobies...
Not all cars though, you have to check it.

Most battery tenders have a light that lights up when they are charging.

If the car is outside, think about a solar charger, works off sunlight...
no fire hazard, cant overcharge the battery...

Brett

kjelly

Alright, well, I'll plug it in and see if the light comes on. I was thinking about a solar charger, but I am putting a car cover over the TL so that avenue won't really work ... Hopefully, I can save myself the time of inputting the codes and radio stations with this battery charger...

frenchnew

Both power outlets are switched off as soon as you turn the key to the off position.

The only way to do it would be to modify it to have power permanently.

Do a search here on the forum for this mod as someone did this recently.

Best regards

frenchnew

kjelly

Hmmmm, looks like I'll be disconnecting my battery. Gosh! Thanks for everyone's input.

Brettg

Well, most battery tenders have the ability to clip on the battery terminals,
most give you the lighter socket plug, and battery post clips...

Brett

vector1701

Just attach it directly to the battery and run the wires down the engine and out the bottom of the car...keep the cover on and charge the battery without removal...

Road Rage

I have used Deltran "Battery Tenders" for many years, on all my stored cars, motorcycles, and even my "flamed" hot rod lawn mower. As an EE, I can attest to the strength of the engineering of these devices - they have improved over the years, and will extend battery life while keeping the car fully charged. You connect to the battery with a pigtail connector that is foolproof. All the talk of cig lighter connections is moot if you go with a quality product.

The current draw on modern cars is substantial - the batt can lose 5-10% a week. Once it drops below the critical voltage threshold, you will get the dread click-click when you turn the key (or press "Start" on your Ferrari or S2000).

Battery life is also greatly extended, by reduced sulphation of the lead plates. I have a batt on a bike that is over 10 years old and its specific gravity and nominal DCV are as new.