Battery Chargers

[Stonehauler]

Hey all,

My (elderly) mother has a 2018 Regal TourX that she only drives 25-30 miles a month. With that, she has had major problems with her battery as it draws 600mA even when off.

Do any of you know of a battery tender that I can permanently install that will supply 1-5A of current that she can leave plugged in when not using it and can also remain in place...or at least have a connector that I can place in a location that will allow her easy (foolproof) access? Opening the hood is getting a bit harder for her, so something that could stick through the grill would be perfect.

I was thinking a CTEK MXS 5.0, but honestly, I am getting so frustrated with her calling me (6 states away) with problems about her car that I am about ready to tell her to get a Mach E or some other pure electric that she can just leave plugged in. (maybe a Nissan Leaf?)

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[Cory S]

600ma, is .6A That should be EASY as balls to locate...

This would do the job your looking for..

https://www.batterytender.com/Battery-TenderR-Plus

 

[dx2]

in case you take the ctek: it can be installed with a permanent connector wire. this in an accessory part, iirc, it has to be bought separately. the connector has a protective rubberized cap that can easily pulled off but I find it does not stay on very well. it's probably good idea to use additional wheater protection if you plan to funnel it out of the engine bay somewhere for better access without having to lift the hood. Also installing an additional fuse on the PLUS pole wire will prevent some nasty surprises.
Not sure if that is all there is to do since you mention more stuff is going wild with the car, 2018 doesn't seem to old to have serious failures. Maybe let a local shop take care of it if they offer a service ? We have got ADAC here, you can call and they will help you out, maybe there is a similar service where she lives ?

 

[Stonehauler]

in case you take the ctek: it can be installed with a permanent connector wire. this in an accessory part, iirc, it has to be bought separately. the connector has a protective rubberized cap that can easily pulled off but I find it does not stay on very well. it's probably good idea to use additional wheater protection if you plan to funnel it out of the engine bay somewhere for better access without having to lift the hood. Also installing an additional fuse on the PLUS pole wire will prevent some nasty surprises.
Not sure if that is all there is to do since you mention more stuff is going wild with the car, 2018 doesn't seem to old to have serious failures. Maybe let a local shop take care of it if they offer a service ? We have got ADAC here, you can call and they will help you out, maybe there is a similar service where she lives ?

Thanks all. I think I will go with the CTEK or the battery tender, and I will most definitely put a fuse on it. (thinking a 5-10A fuse) and maybe a LED light to indicate flow so she knows the fuse is good.

Mostly it's her not understanding her car features. For instance...my car only got 300 miles before I had to fill it, it gets worse gas mileage than my previous car....Mom, how much gas did you put in? 14 gallons? How much does your other car need to fill? 20....

Let's just say she's not quite as sharp as she used to be...

 

[dx2]

I checked mine: The accessory part already comes with an in-wire-car-fuse so that box is checked. Also, it has a little circuit as well showing charge state but it is not very bright and only rights up briefly every second.

 

[FreePenguin]

I checked mine: The accessory part already comes with an in-wire-car-fuse so that box is checked. Also, it has a little circuit as well showing charge state but it is not very bright and only rights up briefly every second.

I think all the good permanent tender connections have a built in fuse. atleast in my case ive seen them on all of the ones ive bought.

 

[dirtwarrior]

They do have solar chargers that plug into cigarette lighter port

 

[BDStang2020]

I agree with the solar charger idea. If the car is parked outside all of the time then you could use this - Amazon.com : ECO-WORTHY 12 Volt 5 Watt Solar Trickle Charger for 12V Batteries Portable Power Solar Panel Battery Charger Maintainer for Car Boat Marine Motorcycles Truck : Garden & Outdoor - and no need to go under the hood as long as there is a power port that works all the time. All she would need to do is move the panel off the dash and be on her way.

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