winter storage... battery tender?

Dec 11, 2013, 6:50 pm

#1

Site Admin

Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 2,323

Last year I was able to drive my car throughout the winter because it was in a heated garage that had a car wash inside. So I drove it 3 or 4 times a month and washed it immediately after.

This year I'm not sure what to do. First I have to check if my garage even has an outlet. If it does, any recommendations on a good battery tender? If not, what can I do? Take the battery out of the car and plug it in inside?

Error: divide by zero mpg

Dec 11, 2013, 10:44 pm

#2

Member

Joined: Nov 24, 2013
Posts: 9

I use a battery tender on all my cars and have never had a problem. You'll want to get a trickle charger that has an automatic shut-off that doesn't overcharge the battery. Most of the auto parts stores sell them and I am not sure that any one is really all that much better than the others. I bought my most recent at O'Reilly's. Battery Tender is probably the most recognizable (and most expensive) brand. I purchased the Schumacher for about 1/2 the price of a Battery Tender.

If your garage doesn't have an outlet but does have an overhead light fixture you can purchase one of those socket outlet adapters that screw into the bulb socket, has 1-2 outlets and still allows you to screw in the bulb.

Dec 12, 2013, 12:45 am

#3

Member

Joined: Nov 19, 2013
Posts: 59

I use the following Battery Tender:
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0128-Plus-Charger/d...
It is more than the "Junior" model but worth the extra $ as the Junior only lasted a year for me in the past.
Cheers,
Greg

andrew wrote

Last year I was able to drive my car throughout the winter because it was in a heated garage that had a car wash inside. So I drove it 3 or 4 times a month and washed it immediately after.

This year I'm not sure what to do. First I have to check if my garage even has an outlet. If it does, any recommendations on a good battery tender? If not, what can I do? Take the battery out of the car and plug it in inside?

"Even if youâ€™re on the right track, youâ€™ll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

Dec 12, 2013, 1:09 am

#4

Member

Joined: Aug 5, 2007
Posts: 2,352

I am using the Battery Tender Plus too.

The outlet adapter for the light socket was already mentioned above.

1983 Datsun 280ZXTurbo

Dec 12, 2013, 2:40 am

#5

Member

Joined: Sep 21, 2011
Posts: 65

I have two Battery Tender Juniors. One for the Mustang and one for the Harley Vrod. On the third yr using the one for the car and this is the 6-7 year of using the one on the bike. The one on the bike stays hooked up year round since I don't ride as much as I use to.

Dec 12, 2013, 7:30 am

#6

Member

Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 1,615

NSX has a battery tender Jr. on it. Very easy hook up and works great.

9/18/10

Dec 12, 2013, 9:05 am

#7

Site Admin

Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 2,323

Thanks guys! Good news is there's an outlet. I'll stop by O'Reilly later this week

Error: divide by zero mpg

Dec 12, 2013, 11:30 am

#8

Official Carrera GT Slayer

Joined: Mar 22, 2007
Posts: 5,668

You dont even know if your garage had an outlet.....
*facepalm*
Give me your man card

the Sledgehammer

2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 - Baby Huey!!! <3
2004 Porsche Carrera GT -Terrorizing society since Oct 16 '09 - DEAD
2001 Acura NSX -SOLD-

Dec 12, 2013, 10:00 pm

#9

Site Admin

Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 2,323

I just got the garage spot like 2 weeks ago! And I've only parked my car in there once

Error: divide by zero mpg

Dec 15, 2013, 9:18 am

#10

Site Admin

Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 2,323

I got the Battery Tender Junior today and hooked it up. If I left the hood open a crack the alarm didn't seem to activate on the car so I snaked the cord through the hood vents. I'm curious what I would have to do if I didn't have those vents though, anybody else have that problem?

Error: divide by zero mpg

Dec 15, 2013, 10:52 am

#11

Member

Joined: May 30, 2009
Posts: 165

We just cracked the side passenger window open, put a towel where the space is and run the cord through...

Dec 15, 2013, 5:43 pm

#12

Official Carrera GT Slayer

Joined: Mar 22, 2007
Posts: 5,668

Front grill, wheels well, under neath etc all work

the Sledgehammer

2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 - Baby Huey!!! <3
2004 Porsche Carrera GT -Terrorizing society since Oct 16 '09 - DEAD
2001 Acura NSX -SOLD-

Dec 16, 2013, 1:25 am

#13

Member

Joined: Nov 19, 2013
Posts: 59

Yes, through the hood vents for me as well...

andrew wrote

I got the Battery Tender Junior today and hooked it up. If I left the hood open a crack the alarm didn't seem to activate on the car so I snaked the cord through the hood vents. I'm curious what I would have to do if I didn't have those vents though, anybody else have that problem?

"Even if youâ€™re on the right track, youâ€™ll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

Dec 16, 2013, 4:19 am

#14

Member

Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 1,615

Ran it through wheel well on the NSX. Just don't forget to unplug it before you drive off.

9/18/10

Dec 16, 2013, 2:38 pm

#15

Member

Joined: Nov 19, 2013
Posts: 59

Done that a few times!

fiorano94 wrote

Ran it through wheel well on the NSX. Just don't forget to unplug it before you drive off.

"Even if youâ€™re on the right track, youâ€™ll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

Dec 16, 2013, 2:44 pm

#16

Member

Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 1,615

It has yet to happen, but I imagine it will at some point.

9/18/10

Dec 16, 2013, 3:40 pm

#17

Site Admin

Joined: Mar 10, 2007
Posts: 2,323

I'm more worried about forgetting to put collision insurance back on

Error: divide by zero mpg

Dec 16, 2013, 4:17 pm

#18

Member

Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 1,615

Sticky note on the steering wheel. Would be hard to forget with a reminder staring you in the face when you get in the car.

9/18/10

Dec 17, 2013, 4:15 am

#19

Member

Joined: Nov 24, 2013
Posts: 9

fiorano94 wrote

Sticky note on the steering wheel. Would be hard to forget with a reminder staring you in the face when you get in the car.

I do exactly the same thing.

Dec 17, 2013, 4:43 am

#20

Activities Director

Joined: Mar 11, 2007
Posts: 2,411

Just to the right of the muffler is my permanently mounted tender's cord tail. I just put an extension cord to that.

2006 Time Magazine's "Man Of The Year"

Dec 17, 2013, 4:57 am

#21

Member

Joined: Nov 19, 2013
Posts: 59

Love the vanity plate!
Cheers,
Greg

SMS wrote

Just to the right of the muffler is my permanently mounted tender's cord tail. I just put an extension cord to that.

"Even if youâ€™re on the right track, youâ€™ll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

Dec 17, 2013, 8:32 am

#22

Activities Director

Joined: Mar 11, 2007
Posts: 2,411

Burch1 wrote

Love the vanity plate!
Cheers,
Greg

That was right at the peak of Obama's cash for clunkers debacle.

Not a real plate, I went to a sign shop and had it made, but I drove on it anyway for a few outings! Got lots of comments.

2006 Time Magazine's "Man Of The Year"

Dec 17, 2013, 8:25 pm

#23

Official Carrera GT Slayer

Joined: Mar 22, 2007
Posts: 5,668

Dirkpitt007 wrote

I do exactly the same thing.

Me too!!

the Sledgehammer

2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 - Baby Huey!!! <3
2004 Porsche Carrera GT -Terrorizing society since Oct 16 '09 - DEAD
2001 Acura NSX -SOLD-

Dec 18, 2013, 12:43 am

#24

Member

Joined: Aug 5, 2007
Posts: 2,352

I just leave the hood cracked with the cord from the overhead reel hanging down in front of the windshield.

1983 Datsun 280ZXTurbo

Dec 22, 2013, 10:25 am

#25

Member

Joined: Sep 20, 2009
Posts: 202

I just go out and crank the NSX about once a month and let it run. Come Spring I just fill'er up with some fresh gas and go. Has worked fine for me over the years. My garage that I keep the NSX in in the winter is not powered.

The Porsche, Vette and Mustang are all at the shop, so they are getting cranked and moved regularly.

1994 Acura NSX
1997 Saleen Mustang S281 Convertible 97-0158
1989 Saleen Mustang Convertible 89-0587
1976 Mustang Cobra II 302EFI
1965 Volvo 1800S