Placing Battery Tenders?

[mysta2]

I've got a 2 car single door and I want lots of Battery Tenders for 2 cars and 4+ bikes. Obviously not all at the same time but for the most part I'll want the bikes and one car on them in various configurations around the garage. I'm laying in the electrical right now and am playing with where to put the outlets for the tenders. The ceiling seems to be the most obvious choice, but I don't want the boxes falling on anything when (not if) I accidentally pull them out. Are there any fancy straps out there to lock them down or a way to make the cords retractable?

Anyone get what I'm asking?

 

[LoneGunman]

I'd use one battery tender (a multiple output unit) on a shelf somewhere, from that location run the wiring inside the wall, up into the ceiling and into a 1900 box with a mudring facing down over each location I planned on having a bike or vehicle. When everything finished I'd install retractable reels. I don't know of anyone who makes reels for this application so I'd use regular garage type reels, remove the plug and attatch whatever I need to charge the vehicles.

Now before it's brought up, yes you are voiding the UL listing of the retractable reels by using it for an application it is not intended for and by modifying it. You'd also have to find out what type of wire you'd need from the tender to the 1900 box, I'm not up on code or wire types when it comes to DC. You could terminate the wires coming out of the conditioner and going out to the cord reels in a 12x12x4 junction box with terminal blocks.

 

[HOTFR8]

Use a chain to hook them to the roof, then just plug in the power lead that way you can unhook the tender when not in use and the lead will stay on the chain. i have power points set up that way so I do not trip over the leads or run over them on the floor.

 

[tdkkart]

I would contact the battery tender people, surely they've run into this situation before with folks having multiple vehicles.

 

[shopnut]

Are there any fancy straps out there to lock them down or a way to make the cords retractable?

I bought some of those smaller gauge cord reels (spring retractable) and cut the 110V plug and receptacle off and replaced them with the SAE 2-pin connectors commonly found on the Battery Tenders. It's basically a retractable SAE extension cord now.

The Tender is up by the ceiling with the reel mounted next to it. Make sure the Tender indicator lights are in plain view wherever it is mounted (I like to be able to peek out in the garage and check to see if it's charging properly). The 30' reel reaches any bike in the garage. I found I only have to hit the bikes one or two nights a month when I'm not riding them so one charger is enough in each garage.

 

[XRetailGarageGuy]

I use a 4 output battery tender for my 4 batteries from my boats. What I did that worked really well is get a new GearLoft Shelf from Gladiator. This is a awesome self that holds 150 pounds of weight and looks good. size is 45" inches wide and 20" deep. I mounted the tender on the wall next to it so I could see the lights. I have it near the ceiling so it is out of the way and I run the wires up the back of the shelf and cable tie them to keep everything nice and neat.
http://www.gladiatorgw.com/skip/wal...8482__shelf_gawa45sftg.pro?keyword=GAWA45SFTG

 

[nmk_61802]

I bought some of those smaller gauge cord reels (spring retractable) and cut the 110V plug and receptacle off and replaced them with the SAE 2-pin connectors commonly found on the Battery Tenders. It's basically a retractable SAE extension cord now.

The Tender is up by the ceiling with the reel mounted next to it. Make sure the Tender indicator lights are in plain view wherever it is mounted (I like to be able to peek out in the garage and check to see if it's charging properly). The 30' reel reaches any bike in the garage. I found I only have to hit the bikes one or two nights a month when I'm not riding them so one charger is enough in each garage.

Bring up an old post. I am getting ready to do the same myself. Any info on the SAE connectors and where you purchased them? Do they just crimp on?

 

[shopnut]

Bring up an old post. I am getting ready to do the same myself. Any info on the SAE connectors and where you purchased them? Do they just crimp on?

You can find them in many places, but Radio Shack sells a short (maybe 12") jumper cable that can be cut in half and used at each end. I don't have any in the package at the moment so I can't give you an exact part number. No luck with a quick search on their site either. Sorry. I believe they can be found in the drawers they have that are full of component parts (switches, lamps, etc.). If I run across it, I will add another reply with the p/n.

You could probably **** splice it, but I like to take the solder/heat shrink route myself. I tend to pull on the cord hard sometimes so a more permanant connection has been worth the extra time for me.

The reel makes it so easy to use, each bike gets a trickle until the green light shines at least once a week now.

 

[shopnut]

Here's a picture of one that I built - must have cut up a 36" SAE extension cord to make this one...



[edit] Here's a link to the discussion in my main Gallery thread - CLICKY

 

[59 wagon man]

griot's garage has a nice but expensive ext cord made just for this

 

[Motofixxer]

I gotta stop reading about all these good ideas, I will never get them all in place.

 

[Greatbear]

Deltran makes 12.5 and 25ft extensions with the SAE connectors, I use these with my two channel tender. I've fitted everything that has a battery in it with the charging pigtails. With the charger usually set up at the front center of my 32ft wide garage, I can cover the place from one side to the other and in front of both garage doors outside with no problems.