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Hello Zenith folks, Has anyone installed an external battery tender port? If so, which did you use? I want to install one on my 701 in the tail near the battery tray.
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I wouldn't put the actual connector outside. Too many chances of corrosion for my taste. I'd probably use something like this in the baggage compartment or behind an access panel if I really wanted an honest to God port:
https://www.batteryminders.com/batteryminder-accessory-bm-aik2a-air...
But more likely I'd go with something simpler and lighter, like this:
https://www.batteryminders.com/batteryminder-accessory-rta-2415exp-...
I bought the 2nd one off of amazon for $11. Works well.
If you want a tidy looking port that is kinda weatherproof and looks nice, try this one. I would mount it in a sheltered area (baggage area, under the cowl, inside a fairing, whatever) rather than directly to the outside of the plane but I expect even the outside location would work okay. I have three of them mounted in my 36 volt golf cart (used as a general purpose tug and go-fer machine in my airpark, I am not a golfer) to maintain the battery pack when the cart is not in regular use. Works nicely, looks good. It lets me plug in three 12 volt Battery Minders easily and quickly when the cart hibernates.
https://www.batteryminders.com/ez-connector-mounting-screws/
The first hookup shown in the first post is what Battery Minder sells for certified planes. It is needlessly heavy and complicated and expensive but the Feds stopped them from saying their simple connectors could be used on certified planes, The Feds want things blessed and reviewed so Battery Minder came up with that rig that uses certified parts and wires for the bits that stay in the airplane. I advise against it even in certified planes but especially in experimental planes. Forcing extra weight, expense and complication does not seem right to me.
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