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Just got a 2016 R so still learning. For my 987 Porsche Spyder, I have just been connecting the CTEK maintainer to the 12 volt outlet under the glove compartment. Easy-peasy. I note in the above discussion, there is no mention of just plugging into the F-Type's "not-a-cigarette lighter". Does the F-Type not have an outlet that remains hot when the car is parked? Or some other reason?
There are some threads on this. The Jaguar kit installs the connect back under the trunk floor, at the battery. Probably the best way to do it with their kit or on your own. I use a magnetic release connector, European design, mounted in the trunk. I just quick connect my maintainer and close the trunk lid.
Larry
For the last 13 years I have stored one car during the summer and a different one during the winter. I put stabilizer in a full tank, 45 psi in the tires, and a battery manager on the car. My dealer says use the posts. I have been told parking the tires on plywood helps and doesn't cost much. I don't cover the car because rodents like the dark. So far, so good.
I posted somewhere else about it, can't find it now, but I came up with what I think is a more "elegant" solution for a permanent battery tender connection.
Under the hood/bonnet rather than in the boot/trunk.
I know some will say "you still need to open the hood, just as easy if not easier to open the trunk instead", but my way the cabling is completely hidden until you need it, there is no cable dangling out of the trunk, and it's more convenient for me because the only power point in my garage is down the back, by the front of the car.
Pictures say a thousand words:
First, the overall view showing how I connected the positive end of the pigtail lead to the positive charging post in the engine bay (I drilled a small hole through the centre of the post then bolted the ring on), the earth end of the pigtail lead to the earthing post (the post screws off, slip the ring underneath then screw it back on), and the other end of the pigtails running down to the top of the wheel arch:
Next, a close up of the positive lead connection:
Now, everything tucked away and closed up ready to shut the hood:
Lastly, with the hood shut and the connector sitting ready to plug the battery tender into:
Yep, when not in use it's coiled up and tucked down the back of the light, see the third pic.
Then when I want to use it I "untuck" the lead, run it down out the top of the wheel arch and shut the hood, see the last pic.
Very nice. I need mine connected to the trunk. Otherwise I'd completely forget about it and drive off with it dragging along side.....oh wait I did that once anyway!
Very nice. I need mine connected to the trunk. Otherwise I'd completely forget about it and drive off with it dragging along side.....oh wait I did that once anyway!
Funny you should mention that!
About a year ago when I still had the XFR I had it connected up to the battery tender, with the tender in the boot/trunk and the power lead running out of the closed boot to a 30' extension lead.
I forgot all about it, hopped in the car and drove 15 km to the GFs place, and just as I got there I thought "oh crap, I don't remember unhooking the battery tender". Sure enough, there it was still sitting in the boot with it's power lead dangling out on the road, I had been trailing that lead behind me bumping it along the road the whole way, and no-one tooted me or said or did anything to let me know! I thought the lead/plug would be knackered but it was OK, the plug just had a bit of wear on the edges. When I got back home about 20 feet of the extension lead was poking out under the garage door and onto the road.
I felt like a right doofus, but at least now I never forget about the battery tender as when it's connected it's right by the driver's door and I can't possibly miss it.
Oz, what model battery tender did you install in the engine bay? Is there a more current version out there? I like that option and might want to do the same in my 2014 S. I want to make sure I get one that will support that installation (assuming I have the same setup but I have not looked yet). Also, any special precautions you took when drilling a hole in the positive charging post. How has it been holding up, any regrets?
Oz, what model battery tender did you install in the engine bay? Is there a more current version out there? I like that option and might want to do the same in my 2014 S. I want to make sure I get one that will support that installation (assuming I have the same setup but I have not looked yet). Also, any special precautions you took when drilling a hole in the positive charging post. How has it been holding up, any regrets?
Thanks
Any battery tender that comes with a pigtail lead will work. The tender isn't installed in the engine bay, only the pigtail lead is. CTEK is a popular choice, mine is just a generic one (albeit "top of the range") from one of the bigger parts store chains here in Oz called Super Cheap Auto.
No special precautions needed, the charging post is fairly soft aluminium and easy to drill through. Only one tip - you need to cut a sizeable slot in the red plastic positive terminal cover (see the second pic above) before it will close over the lead/cable, and it's one tough ****, took me 15 minutes with a hacksaw (see all the red detritus in my pics - I thought I had cleaned it all up but noooo). No regrets and no problems, it has worked perfectly from day 1 with no side effects.
So, I have a 2014 V8S Convertible ... I lifted the cover in the left side of my trunk, and I see a 2 post battery. Wouldn't I just hook up the tender with the standard alligator clips? I see Foosh's pics, but there doesn't seem to be a need to use the fish eye terminal connectors. Or is just due to a difference in model years?