Battery conditioner ...any ideas where negative terminal is please?

[Ernesto]

I'm looking to plug my Ctek charger into the Van... on my 6 year old little sportscar, its dead simple as I have an always on cigarette lighter 12v socket. On my 2 year posh'ish Mercedes, I have to open the bonnet (???) and clamp to a positive metal tag and a clearly marked negative earth terminal - so much for progress!

Now the Van - its the usual 3rd Gen Ducato - the manual says for recharging you need to disconnect the battery and connect to the battery terminals - I assume thats because they assume you'll do it outside the vehicle for max. safety.

But two questions I'd welcome some help with ....a) for slow conditioning charge, I assume using the positive terminal "A" in the engine bay is fine? And b) any ideas what to look for, for the negative earth marked "-" ? I've had a hunt and can't make out from the awful drawing, where that is/what it looks like




Many thanks

 

[Guigsy]

The whole bodywork is grounded to the negative. If you can find an exposed bolt head, clamp it to that. Apparently it's actually safer for any electronics than attaching directly to the battery, but I'm not sure why.

 

[ABZSteve]

I'm looking to plug my Ctek charger into the Van... on my 6 year old little sportscar, its dead simple as I have an always on cigarette lighter 12v socket. On my 2 year posh'ish Mercedes, I have to open the bonnet (???) and clamp to a positive metal tag and a clearly marked negative earth terminal - so much for progress!

Now the Van - its the usual 3rd Gen Ducato - the manual says for recharging you need to disconnect the battery and connect to the battery terminals - I assume thats because they assume you'll do it outside the vehicle for max. safety.

But two questions I'd welcome some help with ....a) for slow conditioning charge, I assume using the positive terminal "A" in the engine bay is fine? And b) any ideas what to look for, for the negative earth marked "-" ? I've had a hunt and can't make out from the awful drawing, where that is/what it looks like View attachment 327407

View attachment 327408


Many thanks

Any metal bitty will do I would think because that is what the RAC did when jumping mine. I also do that when using the power for my RAC900. I charge with a Ctek from inside the van; have it permanently attached with the quick connect. Good luck

 

[2657]

There is a bolt head specially for the purpose under the bonnet at the front rhs

 

[Ernesto]

There is a bolt head specially for the purpose under the bonnet at the front rhs

Thanks matamoros ... is that RHS as in offside or nearside please? I used the front scuttle cross-member thingy in the end which seemed to work, but would be good to know where the official, secret bolt is

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[2657]

Thanks matamoros ... is that RHS as in offside or nearside please? I used the front scuttle cross-member thingy in the end which seemed to work, but would be good to know where the official, secret bolt is

Sorry, I should have used the conventional usage, it is on the rhs as you look at it from the front, it just looks like the threaded end of a bolt sticking out, mine has sticker saying'jump start only'

 

[Gellyneck]

If it's an X290 you've got I think this is the -ve connection

 

[ABZSteve]

Have to admit that I have used this before and forgot ?

 

[Off da Grid]

I used the front engine lift out eye located on the front right mid way down the engine for the negative earth and the rather small weedy connection under the plastic + cap on the right hand side of the engine bay for positive to jump start the car the other day, can’t see this working if I had to jump the van?

 

[ABZSteve]

I used the front engine lift out eye located on the front right mid way down the engine for the negative earth and the rather small weedy connection under the plastic + cap on the right hand side of the engine bay for positive to jump start the car the other day, can’t see this working if I had to jump the van?

It does work on the Ducato

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