trickel charger

[baylinerjohn]

I want to connect a battery tender to my Model A and I want to use the quick connect wires that came with the unit. My question is can I simply go to the positive and negative terminal on the battery instead of going to the frame for my positive ground. The wire harness that came with the unit is a little short to go to the frame.

 

[wmws]

You could go to the starter terminal and the frame. Would be easier to get to and keep an eye on. I don't leave a battery tender on all the time. If I don't drive the car for over a month then I will put it on for the day or until the light turns green.

 

[Big hammer]

I want to connect a battery tender to my Model A and I want to use the quick connect wires that came with the unit. My question is can I simply go to the positive and negative terminal on the battery instead of going to the frame for my positive ground. The wire harness that came with the unit is a little short to go to the frame.

Simple answer to your question, yes

 

[Mitch//pa]

I want to connect a battery tender to my Model A and I want to use the quick connect wires that came with the unit. My question is can I simply go to the positive and negative terminal on the battery instead of going to the frame for my positive ground. The wire harness that came with the unit is a little short to go to the frame.

Yes X2

 

[baylinerjohn]

Thanks guys its appreciated

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, do as WMWS just said.
But I don't like leaving any batteries on a charger unattended. Not even my electric shaver rechargeable battery is left unattended. Think about the recent cell phones going up in smoke.

 

[Capt Quahog]

A trickle charger / battery tender with the battery attached to the vehicle can eventually cause problems. The grounding causes an electrolysis process to start and is prone to deteriorating metal within the vehicle. Previous 30-year owner of our Model A Ford used a "battery tender" faithfully which was always left on. It was attached and plugged in when the car was acquired. Later discovered that areas of the otherwise solid rear body channel on both sides of the car were gone as if cut with a fine saw blade at odd sharp angles.

Observed the same style damage on our 1985 Mercedes where the ground wire for an old type "car phone" had been screw attached to an interior metal side panel. A triangle shaped section of metal was totally missing. The edge being straight on both sides from the point where the phone system ground wire was still attached to a screw. The greatest part of missing metal was about ten inches wide down to the screw point.

At least with a motor vehicle, not being grounded for extended periods of time is probably a good thing. Otherwise . . . old Mister Electrolysis may come creeping through your car.