Show pictures of your battery maintainer installation

[Rootbeer Roadster]

My car doesn’t get used often and the battery dies after less than two years. I’m planning to install an onboard battery maintainer in the engine compartment near the battery. I’d like to see pictures of how you installed yours and if you used a weather proof external power plug. I attached a picture of the unit I’m going to install. I’d like to see how you solved this problem. Thanks

[JohnK]

I installed a DC coax outlet like this one (https://www.thewarmingstore.com/warm-n-safe-dc-coax-jack-panel-mount-with-6in-coax-plug-cable.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp71478001&sc_intid=71478001&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmeKQBhDvARIsAHJ7mF6e3M-32Hmend4K-0X5dWhiYvsy-NBkiSPvMCkBLLwrLilTc3lV0MkaAl64EALw_wcB) in my under dash filler panel. I plan to use it primarily to power heated gear (jacket, gloves) in the winter but it's wired to an always hot circuit so I can plug a battery tender into it. This isn't a great photo but you can see the layout of my under dash panel. In the foreground you can see one of the footwell lights along with the dash gauge dimmer knob. Next to that is the DC coax plug. You can see the red and black battery tender cable plugged into it. Beyond that are the momentary buttons for speedo and clock, and then a USB outlet.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=163083&d=1645836004

[Bob Cowan]

I installed a power plug in the trunk, near the battery. In the winter I'll put a battery tender in the trunk and plug it into the power port. Easy, and so very useful for other things.

I would not install it under the hood. I haven't yet seen a maintainer that can handle all kinds of weather and high heat.

[tomshep]

I just use the supplied cable with the Battery Tender and connect eyelet directly to the hot and cold clamps. Barely noticeable when disconnected.

[edwardb]

For my Coupe and now the Truck build, I did the same as JohnK. I have an aux outlet (Blue Sea Systems 1011-BBS Dash Socket) under the dash that's wired as "always on" meaning a battery circuit. Useful for the usual things you'd use an aux outlet for. But also whenever I want to check the battery or just give it a once a month or so maintenance charge during the winter, just plug my charger (CTEK US 7002) into it. Very handy and works great.

[john42]

My car doesn’t get used often and the battery dies after less than two years. I’m planning to install an onboard battery maintainer in the engine compartment near the battery. I’d like to see pictures of how you installed yours and if you used a weather proof external power plug. I attached a picture of the unit I’m going to install. I’d like to see how you solved this problem. Thanks

I'm using that same model in your photo. I just used the eyehole cables and screwed them to the battery terminals and ziptied the cable neatly. Then I just plug it in, in the garage. Easy peasy.

[Rootbeer Roadster]

I installed the battery maintainer today. I put it on the right “F” panel next to my fuses. I ran the wires down the battery hot cable to the battery and attached to the terminals with the supplied ring connectors. I ran the power input cable to the front of the car near the right main frame. This isn’t very convenient but I wanted to secure it for now. I was worried about Bobs reliability comment related to heat and weather in the engine bay but decided to install it since it’s designed for a permanent under hood installation and I rarely use the car. If it fails I’ll try something else. Please excuse the dirty engine bay. I don’t keep it as clean as I should.