I found the cables that came with BT a little short. You get two cables (ring and clips), so I just cut off the clips on the one and the plug on the other, then spliced them together. I now have the length I need for convenient use.

 

Actually, I'd prefer it to be a couple of inches shorter. The plug-in connector cable (pigtail) wired to the battery bus and ground is more than adequate to extend just above the battery cover panel, at the rear-most point of the trunk so that only the connector itself is visible. That leaves little excess cable in the trunk or under the trunk floor panels. The cable on the maintainer itself is considerably longer, and the trunk closes nicely over it, while the unit sits on the floor. I prefer the connection be made inside the locked trunk rather than outside the car.

Also, the longer an electrical cord or cable, the more the amperage loss.

 

When my car will be covered in snow and ice, I just want to unplug it without opening the hatch and GO!

 

I wouldn't want the connection to be covered with snow and ice, but you'll probably be OK.

 

Just installed a CTEK today, thanks for the photo Foosh!

 

does the negative connection have to be to an earthed point or can it go to the negative terminal on the battery

 

It will work either way.

One reason for making the ground connection to the car's chassis is that a battery can outgas hydrogen, and when the cables are connected to power, a brief arc can occur. Thus, it's considered safer to complete the ground connection away from the battery.

Since the negative battery post is connected to the chassis, it's just one of many possible grounding points.

 

A reliable earth ground is very hard to achieve on a moving vehicle.
Chassis ground is sufficient and reliable.

Desert Hiker

 

You mean you don't have a chain hanging from the left rear axle dragging on the ground?

 

Earth is a British term for ground.

 

PMSL

 

And is no less logical than using the word 'ground' for an electrical circuit.

 

Chassis, like the picture posted on this thread. CTEK also has a charging option for AGM battery.

 

Well, there is more than just a language difference..........



...........for those who design, build and debug electrical circuits. Perhaps that was the problem with the early Jag electrical systems - confusion about grounding.

Desert Hiker

 

For antennas, lightning rods, and AC transmission lines, earth ground really does mean something. Less so in a car.

 

Chassis ground in vehicles is a designer's dream because it very effectively serves as the critical "return path" for the moving electrons powering the vehicle's electrical systems. Poor chassis grounding is the cause of many pesky/erratic vehicle electrical problems. Does anyone know of a vehicle with a hard wired "neutral/common" current return (source for + chassis ground) system?

Desert Hiker

 

Yes, everything in the boating world.....


Larry

 

Point well taken. I was querying more narrowly about highway vehicles.

Desert Hiker

 

Battery Tenders now have a fused pigtail. You now have to route the positive wire directly out of the wire hole so the fuse will clear.

 

Thought I'd bump this thread, and create some more 'positive' brain juices...

THE ARGUMENT FOR POSITIVE GROUND | Jaguar Owner's Club

Enjoy!