Greetings! I did the panel mount install of the CTEK connector with the status lights. The loose connector lying in the trunk did not appeal to my OCD. Taking apart the trunk panels was not too bad, but that should be a different thread. Here is my question/concern. I do not have a garage to park in. So what do I do with the CTEK device? I placed it in the trunk at one point, went to check the status, it was very hot, which I understand it will get, but having it closed up in the trunk seemed like a potential issue. From the manual:
• Never place the charger on top of the battery when charging.
• Always provide for proper ventilation during charging.
• Avoid covering the charger.
• A battery being charged could emit explosive gasses. Prevent sparks close to the battery. When batteries are reaching the end of their lifecycle internal sparks may occur.

So can I just leave it outside to the elements? I did not see anything stating it's weather resistance. Do I place it in a weather proof box? But then the heat issues comes up. What "outdoor solutions" have y'all come up with? Thanks for your attention to this matter.

 

If you google it your answer is the first thing that pops up. CTEK chargers are weatherproof but not WATER PROOF. They can handle light splashes but not being submerged underwater. I'd just tuck it under the car and call it a day.

 

No answers to your questions, but man, that seems like a lot of work when there is a charge point in the engine bay where the charger could have sat vented but protected. And do you then need to keep your hatch popped, unlocked, while using it? If it's open do the cargo area lights time out and extinguish, or do you need to turn them off manually?

 

Sure I could have used Dr. Goggle, but it's more engaging to start a convo with the gang here. Thank you for your insight. Under the car is where it's sitting right now.

I thought of using the jumper posts, but the "panel mount in the trunk " option is more my vibe(?) The cable to the panel is of a small enough gauge that the seal around the trunk lid shows zero signs of cable damage with the trunk closed/locked.

 

The panel mount does look cool, and the status lights are trick! 👍

 

I would find a nice piece of wood, a 2x2 for example and cut a piece that the Ctek would fit on. I would then get a new bucket. Remove the metal handle and cut a slice up the side so that the cord from the Ctek can be run out. Put the Ctek on the board/wood, cover it with the bucket and tuck it under the car as best you can.

You can also troll the electrical aisles at Home D, Lowes , menards, etc and see what they have for an outdoor box that would accommodate the CTek. Most important to get it off the ground and on material that insulates and does not conduct.

 

Yes, getting it off the ground would be a good idea. I know of all manner of water tight electrical boxes, but I feel that the unit will get too hot, as it did sitting in the trunk. Unless I get something much larger, and add a fan, or a water cooling system like on my TIG welder. Is that over kill? As usual, I will come up with something way complicated but fun to make.

 

I put the indicator panel, as CTEK calls it, in the hard plastic piece that surrounds the latch. It's closer to the rear of the car, and the 2m extension cable I got at the same time is long enough that if I park close enough I can close the hatch and the garage door on it and keep the charger inside.

The charger that I have claims to be "splash and dustproof" but I haven't tested that.

 

So, just to ask some questions.. The CTek getting hot is a concern, anywhere that it is placed. Is/Was your battery really run down that the CTek has to work really hard? You have double checked your connections? You have the CTek set for your battery, Lead Acid or AGM? Voltage set? If none of this applies, I would contact Ctek to make sure there is nothing wrong with your unit. A small PC CPU fan might work... be sure to share your solution!

 

Mine gets hot when the battery is low enough that I get the "low battery, start car" warning, but not dangerously so. I'm sure it's got overheating protection built into it. If I were concerned I'd consider a heat sink stuck to the flat underside with thermal tape. One 5cm x 10cm would fit, or 2" x 4" if you prefer your burgers with Freedom Fries.

 

I cheaped out on the connector and just have the comfort flying lead tucked in beside the battery so when I want to charge I push the cubby cover to the back of the trunk and invert the battery cover across the cubby aperture, plastic side up. I put the CTEK on that with the power cord "trapped" under the trunk lid. Never had any issues in the 8 years I've been charging the car overnight on my drive.

 

Great questions. I do have the CTEK set to the correct settings. When I measured the voltage on the battery right before I installed the CTEK, it read 12.38VDC. So it was far from flat. Since my initial post I have just placed the unit under the car, so it was in the shade. It got just above ambient temp. Around 92 degrees (according to my laser thermometer), it's about 85 here today. So I think being in the confines of the trunk lead to the high temp. Thanks for the trouble shooting tips.

 

I will eat a burger with Freedom Fries OR Chips! I will be putting together an enclosure with a fan and power I/O to live outside. Project and pictures coming soon.

 

I think that if the enclosure has reasonable open space around the unit a fan would be superfluous, but it's your project. If the enclosure is going to me made of metal then attaching the unit to the inside with thermal tape will let the enclosure act as a heat sink directly.

Enjoy the burger. Try it with a big piece of green chile and jack cheese. My favorite!