Battery Tender Question

[RSW]

Hi. I have a 2024 Emira FE, V6, Manual. The dealer included a Deltran Battery Tender Selectable with the car. The Emira will be an occasional use car for me. I know I could hardwire the car for easier battery tender connection, but for now I prefer to use the alligator clips on the grounded and ungrounded posts. I unscrewed the two items to remove the battery cover panel. Then I flipped up the cover over the positive/grounded post, but that does not provide enough access/room to actually attach the clip. So I had to remove the larger plastic housing in that area of the positive post, in order to attach the clip. My question is whether it is okay/safe for me to disconnect the battery tender and then drive the car with either or preferably both of (1) the larger plastic housing around the positive post and (2) the battery cover panel left off while driving? I know it would only take a couple of minutes to reconnect the larger plastic housing and the battery cover panel, but it's still a minor pain, so I'm wondering if it would be okay to drive the car with one or both of those items left off, to make it easier to reconnect the battery tender when I'm done with my occasional drive. I don't keep anything in the trunk that would slide around and hit anything. I don't know if the heat from the engine might cause any issues. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[RSW]

Sorry, typo. I meant positive/ungrounded post.

 

[RoryBellows]

That positive side plastic piece is a pita. Its just there to stop things from accidentally contacting the terminal. If nothing is in your trunk then you should be good without the plastic or the cover. I would suggest just doing the permanent connection though and routing the cable outside the outer cover. Its a once and done solution. It only took me 10 minutes.

 

[netsinah]

Ditto to RoryBellows's advice. You're OK driving around w/o coverings, however I'll add that should you encounter moisture entry (due to a high powered car wash, raising the rear hatch with water on it, or any type of water leak in the trunk area), water contact or ++++ humidity could potentially cause a battery issue, depending upon where it ends up or how long the battery is exposed to it. Likely a long shot, but maybe. Me being me, my preference would be not to chance it and to keep the protective coverings on or around the battery, as designed. Your vehicle, your choice.

I can't imagine the garage heat being an issue, unless it's totally cooking...then you'd likely have more than just a battery problem. The battery is already exposed to the nearby engine heat.

 

[RSW]

Thank you both for the input. Until I do a more permanent connection, and am using the alligator clips, I think I'll plan to leave off that pain in the rear plastic piece at the positive post, but put back on the overall battery cover. That's easy enough, it's a better aesthetic, it will prevent anything from bumping the battery, and it probably will keep any (mild) wetness or moisture from getting to the battery. Cheers.