Battery tender - no bonnet lift needed?

[2026DHCARB]

Dear all, any ideas on how to install a SAE cable for a battery tender as a no lift bonnet solution?

Thanks!

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[Neggytive]

let it hang down and secure the pig tail with zip ties.

You'll have to reach/crawl under the car to access it.

Just make sure it is fused as close the the battery as is possible, Battery Tender brand chargers have a fuse holder and 7.5 amp fuse near the ring terminal

 

[Alex381]

I like having the hood popped a bit. Makes it simpler to know when it’s plugged in. way less likely to rip the tender out of the wall outlet.

 

[2026DHCARB]

let it hang down and secure the pig tail with zip ties.

You'll have to reach/crawl under the car to access it.

Just make sure it is fused as close the the battery as is possible, Battery Tender brand chargers have a fuse holder and 7.5 amp fuse near the ring terminal

Thanks! I do have a fuse, but want a more comfortable location for it. Ideally in the grill or on the edge of the windshield close to the battery. A intermediate comfort location would be on the wheel well, easy to install a “socket”, but dirty and cumbersome to plug and unplug…

 

[2026DHCARB]

I like having the hood popped a bit. Makes it simpler to know when it’s plugged in. way less likely to rip the tender out of the wall outlet.

Haha, been there, but I must admit I reversed with the hood popped out a bit…

 

[TMR]

Here is my install on a Ford Performance/ Vtech charger. I had no issues running the connector under the hood near the headlight. But I do have to open the hood to connect it.
Not exactly what you are looking for.
You will have to shop for a battery connection with a tail long enough to reach the grill. Personally, I did not find a connector or extension that long in the brands I looked at.

 

[Gregs24]

On my S550 I had a small pigtail lead that sat under the rear of the bonnet near the windscreen. Not visible but easy access. On my S650 it is like the above pigtail.

 

[Skye]

Different generation, but I fabricated a simple extension of the existing pigtail, then ran that to the front. There's a gap in the headlight area the cable runs past. I use a small piece of foam, wrapped around the extension, to protect it from getting nicked. The extension uses the same gauge wiring and adds two some-odd feet, 1/2 meter in length.

The plug is weatherized. I drive with the dongle exposed like that. If I like, I can pop the hood and just put the plug in the engine bay.

I'd stay away from the windshield area. The tray there acts as a water collector/run-off area.

Agree on checking to ensure its disconnected before leaving. "WTF is THAT sound!?" . In my example, the cables disconnected as seen in the photo.

 

[RJW]

Agree on checking to ensure its disconnected before leaving. "WTF is THAT sound!?" .

It might be practical to take a 4" x 6" card and write on it, "Unplug trickle charger!" Place it on the driver's seat after plugging in the charger.

 

[Skye]

It might be practical to take a 4" x 6" card and write on it, "Unplug trickle charger!"

That one and another: "Remove wheel chocks!". Have a good week everyone! . .

 

[XUV]

I have these cigarettes Sockets, on my cars that don't get driven as much
Our Stang is her daily , So no need
I put them on front air dam. The one Under the number plate
Works well with the Ctec supplied cigarette socket plug and pull straight out if you forget about it.
They blend in well , and if you ever get a flat battery ,
you can just plug an external battery in and get into your car

 

[poppastar]

It's a bit amateurish, but I threaded mine through the upper grill. I'm fine with it but know it's not for everyone., I didn't want to be bothered with opening the hood or lying on the floor to access the connection. I've zip tied it under the hood in several pinch points to add strain relief in case I forget to disconnect it before backing out. I've also waxed the connection so it pulls apart easily while still allowing a proper charge.

 

[LouG]

I find that hood up is quite a good reminder it's on charge. In a few years I might have to put a warning card on the hood as well.

 

[Sig Oris]

I like having the hood popped a bit. Makes it simpler to know when it’s plugged in. way less likely to rip the tender out of the wall outlet.

On my 23F150PB I put a label on the rear view mirror stating UNPLUG TRUCK

 

[Sig Oris]

It's a bit amateurish, but I threaded mine through the upper grill. I'm fine with it but know it's not for everyone., I didn't want to be bothered with opening the hood or lying on the floor to access the connection. I've zip tied it under the hood in several pinch points to add strain relief in case I forget to disconnect it before backing out. I've also waxed the connection so it pulls apart easily while still allowing a proper charge.

I did similar on my 23F150PB

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