Battery setup for the winter question

[uberskier]

I have a Schumacher SC-600A - 6/4/2 Amp Charger/Maintainer SC-600A for my car. Just wondering if the following is an acceptable way to hook it up because last year I took out the battery every time I charged it and from what I’ve read it may not be the best thing to do.

Basically, I’m putting the car away soon for the winter (until mid/late March) but I will take it out on the occasional nice day (+35/40 and sunny).

This is what I plan on doing:

- Connect jumper cables to the battery, thereby leaving the battery connected to the car.

- Jumper cables runs through the trunk and out and then connecting to the charger/maintainer which is out side the car.(I really didn’t think having the charger sitting in the trunk was a good idea).

- Basically – battery to jumper cables to charger (outside of the car).

Any issues with this? And "yes", I will “engage” the hood so that the car thinks it is closed.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Eric

[wross996TT]

I just have an Interstate maintainer (and an Interstate battery)...it is hard wired to the terminals and has a cord with a plug-in for the cord that goes to the wall outlet. I leave the hood down, but not closed....I have done this for 4 years and never an issue. Here is a picture of the cord that attaches directly to the battery terminals:

Edited December 2, 2009 by wross996TT

[geoff]

I have a Schumacher SC-600A - 6/4/2 Amp Charger/Maintainer SC-600A for my car...

If they make a cigarette lighter plug adapter for your maintainer, that would probably be the easiest way to maintain your battery during the winter. That's the way Porsche does it. The lighter plug stays hot after the car is turned off, so you can just leave it plugged in that way. There is a notch in the bottom of the door rubber weatherstripping to run the cable

I would be worried about somebody bumping the jumper cables and either shorting something out or causing the maintainer to become disconnected

[mikefocke]

I'd also use painters blue tape to tape over the edges of the hood so critters don't get in.

I let my maintainer sit on the floorboards of the car while it "charges" through the lighter socket. As it is only maintaining, it doesn't generate enough heat to worry over. If I didn't have the lighter plug connection, I'd let it sit in the front trunk.

Radio Shack sells an adapter that allows connection to the "cigarette lighter" socket:

12VDC 7.5A Power Plug

Model: 270-1509 | Catalog #: 270-1509

[986fan]

I have a maintainer with the terminal harness shown above. I just run the wire out the back of the hood

by the base of the windshield (hood completely closed). The wire is not pinched. I lay a soft towel on the

fender where the wire could touch it. Been doing this for 3 years.

[Falcon900EX]

I stick a very soft foam block so the hood will not close completely. Zero chance of damage. I have a maintainer clamped to the battery and the maintainer flashes different colors so I know of any problems. I like the going out the top but I don't like the idea of wires chaffing the side of my ride. NO ONE IS ALLOWED NEAR THE CAR! It sits in the 3rd bay. E

[uberskier]

I stick a very soft foam block so the hood will not close completely. Zero chance of damage. I have a maintainer clamped to the battery and the maintainer flashes different colors so I know of any problems. I like the going out the top but I don't like the idea of wires chaffing the side of my ride. NO ONE IS ALLOWED NEAR THE CAR! It sits in the 3rd bay. E

Thanks everyone. Falcon900EX - this sounds basically like what I'm doing, except I have the cables running out the front with the hood popped slightly, a towel over the paint and a cover on the car.

I think I was more worried about heat build up, but since it's only maintaining, I shouldn't have to worry about that.

Thanks.