Custom charging whip leads - permanent install.

[Conor]

Hello all,

> What - I'm thinking of making a few charging leads for some of my cars. The idea is that they would be fixed onto the battery terminals and then have a lead of some length with a weatherproof connector on the end. The crocodile clips on the charger would then get the snip and be replaced with weatherproof connector.

Ideally the cable would be long enough that it can protrude out from bonnet in closed position but be short enough that it can be tidied into a corner in the engine bay, when not in use.

This will likely turn into a nice little DIY that others might find interesting.

> Why - Main reason for doing this is that it can sometimes be a little fiddly to get to the terminals. I am not buying ready made leads as my charger are from Lidl and cables aren't available.

> How - The plan is to use these connectors from eBay @ about £10 per 5 pairs and some automotive cable from Car Builder Solutions at about £0.30 per metre. Will also need some eyelet connectors for the battery end. I'm feeling lush, I might even add a few clips of some kind to anchor the rolled up cable, when not in use.

> Cost - Could be looking at around 2 or 3 quid per lead which is nice and cheap, and will make for a nice evenings work some time.

I'm open to any and all comments on pitfalls I may have missed, or ways to improve.

-- Conor

 

[KennyN]

Fitted similar to the jump point under the bonnet of the Cayenne and BMW :

+ to the cable that connects to the positive jump point

- to the closest vehicle earth point

I was advised to connect it to the jump point rather than directly onto the battery for some reason regarding the internal components of the smart batteries fitted to some vehicles now-a-days.

K

 

[Conor]

Fitted similar to the jump point under the bonnet of the Cayenne and BMW :

+ to the cable that connects to the positive jump point

- to the closest vehicle earth point

I was advised to connect it to the jump point rather than directly onto the battery for some reason regarding the internal components of the smart batteries fitted to some vehicles now-a-days.

K

Oh yes, good point, I think my batteries are of the basic type, but you are absolutely correct - for some reason they do advise against using battery terminals directly... although I still don't understand why, really.

Did you make your own cables or buy something - curious as to what options are there.

 

[KennyN]

I use a BMW battery conditioner on both vehicles , it came with fixed connections and croc clips , i fitted the fixed to the BM and purchased another CTEK fixed connection from eBay for the Cayenne.

Pardon our interruption...

www.ebay.co.uk

CTEK Comfort Connect Car Battery Charger Flylead Lead Cable Eyelet | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CTEK Comfort Connect Car Battery Charger Flylead Lead Cable Eyelet at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

K

 

[Blobcat]

You can buy extension leads from Optimate / Ctek etc that do what you want already...

 

[AndySlade]

The charger leads of my CTEK battery charger leads connect directly to the battery terminals via 6/8mm eyelets. I have the one with three leds to indicate battery charge (voltage) status, red, amber, green, the positive lead is fused. If I need to jump start my S203 I connect negative crocodile clips to earth point on front suspension leg and positive to the Andersen? Style connector connector visible in front of battery. It is impossible to get to battery terminals without removing the cabin air filter and housing using the three wire snap hinges. A lead with the same female connector to connect directly to the Andersen positive would be very useful and more secure than a crocodile clip. Recently the battery went flat and I purchased a NOCO Lithium Battery Jump Starting pack as it was impossible to get another car alongside my car to jump with leads or connect to my CTEK charger where I was parked. Was very pleasantly surprised how well NOCO pack started the car. It’s also useful for jump starting the rifle clubs grass mower (no power) at club ground.

As above post by @KennyN

 

[Conor]

You can buy extension leads from Optimate / Ctek etc that do what you want already...

Yea I have seen them already, but they aren't readily suitable for my chargers, so I would need to adapt anyway, which makes paying the premium for pre-made redundant.. and I like making stuff

 

[supernoodle]

I assume those Delphi connectors are only sealed when the male and female parts are connected together. So if you're leaving just one part connected to the battery tucked away under the bonnet, say female (as that looks better isolated),
might be worth having a dummy male part with the wire entries sealed up as a cap.

 

[s5tuart]

My friends Bentley came with its own charger that connects magnetically. Much like the Apple MagSafe on Macs.

 

[peterws1957]

Hello all,

> What - I'm thinking of making a few charging leads for some of my cars. The idea is that they would be fixed onto the battery terminals and then have a lead of some length with a weatherproof connector on the end. The crocodile clips on the charger would then get the snip and be replaced with weatherproof connector.

Ideally the cable would be long enough that it can protrude out from bonnet in closed position but be short enough that it can be tidied into a corner in the engine bay, when not in use.

This will likely turn into a nice little DIY that others might find interesting.

> Why - Main reason for doing this is that it can sometimes be a little fiddly to get to the terminals. I am not buying ready made leads as my charger are from Lidl and cables aren't available.

> How - The plan is to use these connectors from eBay @ about £10 per 5 pairs and some automotive cable from Car Builder Solutions at about £0.30 per metre. Will also need some eyelet connectors for the battery end. I'm feeling lush, I might even add a few clips of some kind to anchor the rolled up cable, when not in use.

> Cost - Could be looking at around 2 or 3 quid per lead which is nice and cheap, and will make for a nice evenings work some time.

I'm open to any and all comments on pitfalls I may have missed, or ways to improve.

-- Conor

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View attachment 85112

Yep a fairly simple job. Just make sure that the connectors and cable are correct for the charging amps.