Any ideas for installing ctek charger?

[pasmith73]

I would like to be able to plug-in / unplug my ctek charger to the Caterham without having to remove the bonnet every time.

The eyelet connector lead that comes with the charger is only about 40cm so when fixed to the battery the cable is not long enough for the end to protrude at the bottom of the engine bay (which is what I would need if I want to access it without removing the bonnet). I have contacted ctek and they do not do a longer eyelet connector lead.

But they do sell a 2.5M extension cable. I was thinking that I could leave this permanently connected to the eyelet connector lead that is fitted to the battery, and then route the extension lead underneath the car using cable ties and have the end protruding from underneath the car somewhere, so that I can connect the charger easily.

But does anyone have a better solution?
Thanks.

[downsman]

I fitted a cigar lighter socket to the bulkhead under the dash. It is wired direct to the battery (inline fuse obviously) and to the wiper motor earth. Ctek sell a suitable connector, so you just plug into the socket.

[anonymous-user]

Do you have a fusebox cover? I fitted a cigar lighter socket into that and ran a fused pair through the tunnel and directly on to the battery pos/neg. saves putting a hole in the bulkhead.

[Rolo7]

downsman said:

I fitted a cigar lighter socket to the bulkhead under the dash. It is wired direct to the battery (inline fuse obviously) and to the wiper motor earth. Ctek sell a suitable connector, so you just plug into the socket.

As above. Works a treat and is useful for the sat nav too.

[framerateuk]

My car had a cut off switch on the dashboard in front of the passenger when I bought it. When I had the immobiliser re-wired in, I had the switch removed and a 12V lighter fitted instead. Very useful to charge phones and works a treat with the CTEK charger.

Just make sure you don't have the CTEK connected when you flick the battery cut of switch.

[WillG]

I run a ctek through a cigarette lighter plug, and sometimes find the connection isn't great causing the ctek to stop charging despite. If I was going to install again, I'd use ctek proper bulkhead socket under the dash to plug into.

[Hanslow]

I wired one of these in to my old 7 and fitted it to the bulkhead so it was facing into the car (https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTE-56380-Comfort-Indicator-Panel-Adaptor/dp/B002OHXX60). I'd just run the charger cable under the edge of the door, into the cabin and then into the socket. It was also useful for giving you an overall battery level indicator. That was before I then fitted a battery isolator switch to disable the electrics when the car was off. Never had a problem with starting it up once I'd done that, never dropped below the green indicator even when stood for months (yes, shamefully that did happen at times).

[SLR400]

Another thumbs up the the cigarette lighter adaptor, saves a lot of messing around and does the job perfectly. Mine came with it from memory.

[AndrewE]

Use the standard CTEK lead, solder on a length of similar sizes/spec wire (available from auto shops or as part of the extension lead mentioned) feed through bulk head grommet by steering column and tie wrap CTEK connector to knee panel. Refit ring terminals to ends of now longer wire, fix to battery and tie wrap cable along route to bulkhead grommet.
Connector is now out of the way by the driver's knee panel, but easy to access to connect to charger lead