Hooking up battery maintainer question

[Augie81]

Hi all,

I have not been driving much recently and will be driving even less in the next several months. So I ordered this CTEK MXS 5.0 maintainer from Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00CD44RQO?psc=1

I want to use the quick connect to hook it up to my battery instead of the clamps. My question is where should I connect the ground. I did some research here and found two answers. This one that suggests hooking it up to the bolt on the chassis side of the terminal:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/power-drain.7678/#post-136188

And then this one from Dave that shows hooking it up to a bolt on the side of the body:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/deep-sleep-mode-resurrection.10495/#post-196824

So does it matter which one? My preference would be the first suggestion because I'm afraid my clumsy hands would drop the bolt that Dave used and he said it was kind of hard to get to. Also I have found mixed answers as far as using it with an extension cord and if it is safe to do so. The outlet in my garage is too far away for CTEK's cord to reach. So I'm wondering if an extension cord will be an issue?

Thanks.

Side note, I've been a bit grumpy and snippy here at times recently. Sorry for that. Bad excuse but lots of stress over the last few months.

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[Grumpaw]

My preference has always been to a bolt that is directly entering the body as in pic 2. If you check , most grounds from the engine or whatever needs a ground are usually attached at the body/inner fender, firewall, ect.
Just make sure your grounding to a steel panel, not aluminum.

 

[BcP28]

Looks like you mentioned one of my older posts, and yeah in general, a ground is a ground, I'd just make sure you are downstream (chassis side) of that BMS sensor so the ECU can sense and learn proper battery SOC. Doesn't matter if it's right at the sensor, on the side of the fender, or hell, a grounding bold near the spare tire lol.

The smart charging systems on these newer Fords rely on knowing 12V SOC for proper/optimized alternator function and battery charging. You won't hurt anything by connecting ground directly to the battery either, you might just spend some fractional amounts of extra fuel running the alternator a little harder than it needs to because it might think it needs to charge the battery more when in reality it probably doesn't. That would be the absolute worst thing that would happen ?‍

In any case, if you're planning on keeping the truck on a tender when not in use, you are already ahead of the curve in keeping it healthy, so good on you

 

[BcP28]

Careful which charger you use. These trucks have an AGM battery which do not like fast charge rates.

That's not true. Sure an AGM is not as fast as a lithium, but it can handle higher charge/discharge currents than a comparable flooded lead-acid battery.

Also, the charger the OP is looking at is only 4A... the alternator in the Ranger can charge the battery upwards of 80A, so I don't think he's anywhere close to having issues with charging.

 

[AzScorpion]

Augie, I have the same one but it's branded through Ford. I mounted mine to the side bolt below. Yes I know my engine compartment is filthy. lol

 

[Augie81]

Looks like you mentioned one of my older posts, and yeah in general, a ground is a ground, I'd just make sure you are downstream (chassis side) of that BMS sensor so the ECU can sense and learn proper battery SOC. Doesn't matter if it's right at the sensor, on the side of the fender, or hell, a grounding bold near the spare tire lol.

The smart charging systems on these newer Fords rely on knowing 12V SOC for proper/optimized alternator function and battery charging. You won't hurt anything by connecting ground directly to the battery either, you might just spend some fractional amounts of extra fuel running the alternator a little harder than it needs to because it might think it needs to charge the battery more when in reality it probably doesn't. That would be the absolute worst thing that would happen ?‍

In any case, if you're planning on keeping the truck on a tender when not in use, you are already ahead of the curve in keeping it healthy, so good on you

So if I hook it up to that bolt right under your finger in that picture where I guess the battery management sensor is it should work fine and learn proper SOC as you state? Sorry to sound dumb I just want to double check that I'm understanding everything right?

Thanks

 

[Augie81]

Augie, I have the same one but it's branded through Ford. I mounted mine to the side bolt below. Yes I know my engine compartment is filthy. lol

Thanks Dave,

I was looking at that spot because of your post I mentioned earlier. It just seems like it might be hard to get to and I have shaky hands and don't want to drop that bolt.

I suppose I could take it to my local mechanic and have them do it. Probably would not cost me much.

Also do you use and extension cord with yours and if so a regular one of the 8ft extension CTEK sells?

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks Dave,

I was looking at that spot because of your post I mentioned earlier. It just seems like it might be hard to get to and I have shaky hands and don't want to drop that bolt.

I suppose I could take it to my local mechanic and have them do it. Probably would not cost me much.

Also do you use and extension cord with yours and if so a regular one of the 8ft extension CTEK sells?

I didn't click on all your links to see you already had my older post there. lol

Yes that spot is very hard to get to and I unclipped the plastic piece to get a little more room. Luckily I don't have fat fingers so I was just able to get it in there. Is there anyone else who could possibly help you? They don't give you a very long lead and it's a perfect spot if you can get it on there.

 

[BcP28]

So if I hook it up to that bolt right under your finger in that picture where I guess the battery management sensor is it should work fine and learn proper SOC as you state? Sorry to sound dumb I just want to double check that I'm understanding everything right?

Thanks

Yeah that's correct. And no worries, that's what the forum is for!

 

[AzScorpion]

Also do you use and extension cord with yours and if so a regular one of the 8ft extension CTEK sells?

Yes I bought this one here. I routed it down through the front and out the rubber piece by the tow hook. Take off the rubber end cap from the original one and slip it onto the new one. This way the end it protected while you're driving and crud isn't getting inside there. It's on there tight but it will stretch and come off.

 

[OregonRangerTremor]

Hi all,

I have not been driving much recently and will be driving even less in the next several months. So I ordered this CTEK MXS 5.0 maintainer from Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00CD44RQO?psc=1

I want to use the quick connect to hook it up to my battery instead of the clamps. My question is where should I connect the ground. I did some research here and found two answers. This one that suggests hooking it up to the bolt on the chassis side of the terminal:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/power-drain.7678/#post-136188

And then this one from Dave that shows hooking it up to a bolt on the side of the body:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/deep-sleep-mode-resurrection.10495/#post-196824

So does it matter which one? My preference would be the first suggestion because I'm afraid my clumsy hands would drop the bolt that Dave used and he said it was kind of hard to get to. Also I have found mixed answers as far as using it with an extension cord and if it is safe to do so. The outlet in my garage is too far away for CTEK's cord to reach. So I'm wondering if an extension cord will be an issue?

Thanks.

Side note, I've been a bit grumpy and snippy here at times recently. Sorry for that. Bad excuse but lots of stress over the last few months.

IMO; cancel that order and get a Deltran Battery Tender. It is a vast superior and proven product. I have one for my Ranger, Bronco, on my show car and motorcycle. I have also used them on tractors, lawn equipment, etc. They will keep your rig ready to go and lengthen battery life. Attach the short connector directly to both battery terminals. If you need an extender they sell a 6" and even longer extender. Feed the plug out somewhere, perhaps the grill. Then plug it in to the Tender. I always leave every vehicle plugged in. These modern vehicles always have something pulling off the battery. Easy to use and dependable!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068XCQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Augie81]

Yeah that's correct. And no worries, that's what the forum is for!

I'm going to hook it up that way then. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Augie81]

Yes I bought this one here. I routed it down through the front and out the rubber piece by the tow hook. Take off the rubber end cap from the original one and slip it onto the new one. This way the end it protected while you're driving and crud isn't getting inside there. It's on there tight but it will stretch and come off.

Thanks. I was going to use a regular extension cord to save a few bucks but I just ordered that. I might actually need two of them. I guess I'll get the wall mount for the charger as well.

 

[Augie81]

IMO; cancel that order and get a Deltran Battery Tender. It is a vast superior and proven product. I have one for my Ranger, Bronco, on my show car and motorcycle. I have also used them on tractors, lawn equipment, etc. They will keep your rig ready to go and lengthen battery life. Attach the short connector directly to both battery terminals. If you need an extender they sell a 6" and even longer extender. Feed the plug out somewhere, perhaps the grill. Then plug it in to the Tender. I always leave every vehicle plugged in. These modern vehicles always have something pulling off the battery. Easy to use and dependable!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068XCQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks the one I ordered is already shipped and should arrive tomorrow. I'm going to try it out but if I have any problems with it I'll certainly check out the one you suggested.

 

[AzScorpion]

IMO; cancel that order and get a Deltran Battery Tender. It is a vast superior and proven product. I have one for my Ranger, Bronco, on my show car and motorcycle. I have also used them on tractors, lawn equipment, etc. They will keep your rig ready to go and lengthen battery life. Attach the short connector directly to both battery terminals. If you need an extender they sell a 6" and even longer extender. Feed the plug out somewhere, perhaps the grill. Then plug it in to the Tender. I always leave every vehicle plugged in. These modern vehicles always have something pulling off the battery. Easy to use and dependable!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068XCQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are really good too. My neighbor who's a snowbird from Canada has 2 of these for his motorcycles. He's been using them for 12 years now and every fall when he returns his bikes start right up. I'll probably but one for my Jeep when it arrives as I don't drive a lot with one vehicle never mind two. I got mine with my Ford Pass Points so it was basically free and it's worked great but a lot more expensive.

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