Trickle charger placement

[painlus]

I just picked up a Schumacher charger but am baffled by where to place it in such tight front quarters - with adequate ventilation - with access to the plug - with not obstructing the spare tire space - with etc. etc. etc...

Where exactly did you guys mount it?

On another note, have you heard of engine fires caused by loose/weak battery restraints and have you remedied this?

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no-thanks-i'll-park-it-myself

[This message has been edited by painlus (edited 23 February 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by painlus:
Where exactly did you guys mount it?

Mine is mounted right alongside (on the passenger side of) the battery, sitting on the battery tray, in a vertical position, with the power cord on top. But I have one of those smaller-than-stock batteries (the Odyssey) so my placement may not work for you.

I have to remove the spare tire for access to the power cord (it's short - intentionally, so it doesn't get loose and flop around) and then it's easy to reach. But I need to take the spare tire out anyway to grab the end of the extension cord off the floor from under the car, so that's no big deal. I leave the spare out of the car while the charger is plugged in (it's next to the driver door so I don't forget it) and put it back in after unplugging the charger. Takes all of about 30 seconds - it's easy!

On another note, have you heard of engine fires caused by loose/weak battery restraints and have you remedied this?

I haven't heard anything about engine fires. I have the Dali Racing battery hold-down bracket.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 24 February 2002).]

 

[westernb4]

Painlus, there's no need for the very complex arrangement NSextasy describes.

Simply cut the black & red battery lead wires of the charger at about half their length and attach insulated wire connectors to each of the cut ends. Permanently attach only the half-length lead wires to the battery, and connect the charger via the wire connectors only when charging is required. No need to ever permanently attach the charger at all with this arrangement, and you'll only need to remove the spare tire once, when you do the initial wire attachment to the battery.

 

[nsxman]

There have been front compartment fires caused by a short circuit between the positive terminal of the battery and the battery hold down bracket.

Use a strip of 3/8" plexiglass to space the hold down bracket further away from the battery terminals.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by westernb4:
Painlus, there's no need for the very complex arrangement NSextasy describes.

First of all, the username is nsxtasy.

Second, there's nothing complex about it. You install it once, and it's in the car and you forget about it. No need for connectors or wire splicing - sounds like your arrangement is lots more complex than mine.

The on-board charger is small and light and it's there permanently. That's the whole idea behind using an on-board charger. All you have to do is plug it into a regular household power extension cord. Takes about 30 seconds. And you have it wherever your car is - in your garage or anywhere else.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 24 February 2002).]

 

[NSXLNT]

I have the Oddysey battery and Battery Tender from Dali Racing.My placement is to the side of the battery. I ran the power cord from the charger under the car towards the front, using tie-wraps to safely secure it away from any moving parts. The plug is now just inches behind the front spoiler and I just reach underneath to plug in the power.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by NSXLNT:
I have the Oddysey battery and Battery Tender from Dali Racing.My placement is to the side of the battery. I ran the power cord from the charger under the car towards the front, using tie-wraps to safely secure it away from any moving parts. The plug is now just inches behind the front spoiler and I just reach underneath to plug in the power.

Sounds even better!

 

[painlus]

Thanks everyone for the input. Incredibly helpful. Do you leave these plugged in whenever the car is not in use during the week? Or jsut a day or two before you use the car. (Mine is a weekend warrior).


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no-thanks-i'll-park-it-myself

[This message has been edited by painlus (edited 04 March 2002).]

 

[NSXLNT]

I plug mine in as soon as I pull it in the garage, right before I put the cover on

 

[randall]

Painlus,
to make things easy,send the schumacher back and buy the one from Griot's Garage that simply plugs into the cigarette lighter.

 

[gobble]

Why do you need a trickle charger?

 

[painlus]

Originally posted by gobble:
Why do you need a trickle charger?

I drive my 92 on the weekends but am out of town on occasion...

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no-thanks-i'll-park-it-myself

 

[painlus]

Originally posted by randall:
Painlus,
to make things easy,send the schumacher back and buy the one from Griot's Garage that simply plugs into the cigarette lighter.

That would've been so much easier...


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no-thanks-i'll-park-it-myself

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

Originally posted by randall:
Painlus,
to make things easy,send the schumacher back and buy the one from Griot's Garage that simply plugs into the cigarette lighter.

Does that really work? Doesn't it hurt some of the cars electronics?

 

[NSXLNT]

Problem with the cigarette lighter one is that you have to run the cord through the window/door, therefore can not cover the car. Onboard unit installed in front compartment with power cord properly situated
is much more convenient.JMO,YMMV