Magnetic connectors for battery tenders?

[donkmeister]

Has anyone tried a magnetic connector for battery tenders? Something similar to one of those "Magsafe" connectors on Apple laptops, mounted somewhere outside on the car (possibly tucked out of sight underneath)

I'm thinking about how to ensure one of our cars can be left on a battery tender, outside, whilst minimising the risk of one of us driving off with a charging lead attached. I've seen these ones, obviously I need male and female connectors: https://bcbattery.co.uk/collections/accessories-so...

Anyone tried such a connector? Anything to report? I'd love to say the answer is "use a standard connector and don't forget" but that approach would end in tears for me.

[E-bmw]

But then if you used these you will have a "plug" rattling round outside your house with 12v on it, in the rain & a "socket" connected to the car's electrics on the outside of the car also with 12v on it in the rain!

Not the best of ideas.

Why not just plug the car charger in for the odd hour here & there?

We have 2 cars, I work away 2 weeks at a time, then am home for 2 weeks. When I am home my car is the only one that gets used, so I plug Mrs E's car in for an hour/2 just before I go back & have never had a problem, it even keeps the stop start working from the off.

[donkmeister]

E-bmw said:

But then if you used these you will have a "plug" rattling round outside your house with 12v on it, in the rain & a "socket" connected to the car's electrics on the outside of the car also with 12v on it in the rain!

In normal circumstances the lead would be shoved neatly coiled into a small cupboard behind the car (where the tender will live also), wouldn't just leave it on the ground apart from those times that someone forgets to disconnect first.

The car side I was thinking about fixing it near to where a towing electric socket would be (possibly tucked further underneath though) - so rather than a bonnet-up experience each time it would be a simple matter of grabbing the connector from the cupboard and sticking it on.

This car already has a tender connector, under the bonnet. However the faff factor means I'm the only one who ever puts it on and I've been remiss with the charging recently due to other projects taking my concentration. My initial thought was just a standard SAE charging connector outside the car to change charging from a bonnet-up task to a "just plug it in" task but I know if I started leaving the car on the tender then eventually one of us will forget and drive off.

[GreenV8S]

I use Sureseal waterproof connectors on the connections from the battery maintainer to the car. These are non-latching friction fit axial break connectors which will simply pull free if you pull hard enough.

[donkmeister]

GreenV8S said:

I use Sureseal waterproof connectors on the connections from the battery maintainer to the car. These are non-latching friction fit axial break connectors which will simply pull free if you pull hard enough.

"Applications
Construction Equipment / Non-Automotive Transportation; Buses; Motorcycles; Agricultural equipment; Golf carts; Outdoor lighting; Portable signs/monitors."

Good shout, thank you. Given the application list I'm wondering if it's specifically designed with forgetful charger users in mind.

Have you fitted one on the outside of the car? If so any chance of a pic showing how you have fitted it?

[normalbloke]

Those are just Mag Code connectors. Used by various manufacturers under a few different names, to give the impression they’ve reinvented the wheel. If they’re genuine units, they are very good and reliable.

[QJumper]

Or just put a note on the driver's seat to remove the charging cable.

[E-bmw]

donkmeister said:

E-bmw said:

But then if you used these you will have a "plug" rattling round outside your house with 12v on it, in the rain & a "socket" connected to the car's electrics on the outside of the car also with 12v on it in the rain!

In normal circumstances the lead would be shoved neatly coiled into a small cupboard behind the car (where the tender will live also), wouldn't just leave it on the ground apart from those times that someone forgets to disconnect first.

And these are exactly the times to which I am referring.

Unless it is inside the car, you will never get it out of the weather.

I still ask the question why do you feel the need to do this?

A car should last well over 2 weeks without any issues, both of mine do exactly that, I only do Mrs E's after 2 weeks as her journeys are few & far between.

[donkmeister]

E-bmw said:

And these are exactly the times to which I am referring.

Unless it is inside the car, you will never get it out of the weather.

I still ask the question why do you feel the need to do this?

A car should last well over 2 weeks without any issues, both of mine do exactly that, I only do Mrs E's after 2 weeks as her journeys are few & far between.

It's a few issues conspiring - it often goes a month between uses, has a tiny battery (40Ah IIRC), and (this is the kicker) has a dashcam that goes into sentry mode from power off until the battery drops to a particular voltage.

Yes I could disconnect the camera but then she'll forget to reconnect it and being a small sportscar it's invisible to some in car parks... Some bugger has already knocked it and driven away (hence the cam) and that's the second small sportscar she's had trading paint whilst she was in a nearby shop. So the "least bad" solution for me is to leave it plugged in with a failsafe if driven away without unplugging. I rarely get tinkering time at the mo and that was always my "plug in the Honda while I work on the other cars" time, whereas being able to do it without unlocking the car will mean I am likely to do it while stood around the cars waiting for Mrs D to get her coat on. Tender dry and snug in a weatherproof enclosure, cable easily accessible in a cupboard next to it.

[GreenV8S]

donkmeister said:

Have you fitted one on the outside of the car? If so any chance of a pic showing how you have fitted it?

It's used inline in a flying lead. I've used it in two places on different vehicles - one coming out of the rear hatch on a vehicle with enough of a gap for the cable; the other coming out of an opening in the front grill. Basically put the cable wherever you want and then put a connector where the cable leaves the vehicle so you can disconnect it manually, or it will pull apart without damaging anything if somebody forgets.

[donkmeister]

normalbloke said:

Those are just Mag Code connectors. Used by various manufacturers under a few different names, to give the impression they’ve reinvented the wheel. If they’re genuine units, they are very good and reliable.

Thank you - armed with the name Mag Code I've just watched this video where they demonstrate the system - from some looking around it looks like Ferrari fit a Mag code at the factory to at least some models (seemingly with reverse polarity to stop people using non-Ferrari approved chargers). If it's good enough for Ferrari then it's good enough for a Honda



One for the springtime servicing/fettling list.

[donkmeister]

GreenV8S said:

donkmeister said:

Have you fitted one on the outside of the car? If so any chance of a pic showing how you have fitted it?

It's used inline in a flying lead. I've used it in two places on different vehicles - one coming out of the rear hatch on a vehicle with enough of a gap for the cable; the other coming out of an opening in the front grill. Basically put the cable wherever you want and then put a connector where the cable leaves the vehicle so you can disconnect it manually, or it will pull apart without damaging anything if somebody forgets.

I can picture that - I had something similar (albeit without a failsafe connector) on a Mercedes that had a boot-mounted battery. I just had to pop the boot, retrieve the connector and shut the boot to have a handy charging spot.

[Polly Grigora]

4 way waterproof plug and socket is the way to go

2 pins for Pos & Neg charging

2 pins connected together in the plug

When turning ignition on a beeper sounds to warn the driver that the charging cable is connected

Beeper is switched on by the 2 pins in the plug making its circuit complete

Too easy innit

[RizzoTheRat]

Not magnetic, but these SAE 2 pin jobbies get used a lot in motorcycle kit for chargers, heated clothing, etc, and come apart easily if pulled

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Disconnect-Extension-...

[GreenV8S]

RizzoTheRat said:

Not magnetic, but these SAE 2 pin jobbies get used a lot in motorcycle kit for chargers, heated clothing, etc, and come apart easily if pulled

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Disconnect-Extension-...

They do unfortunately have an exposed terminal on each side.

[WelshRich]

Seems that you’re leaving the car outside (not in a garage) so how about just permanently wiring up a solar powered trickle charger? Should be good enough to keep the dashcam happy even in the winter and no need to remember to plug anything in…

[PaulKemp]

Write on a large piece of card
“BATTERY CHARGER”
and put that on the steering wheel.