I recently purchased a Battery Tender charger with a cigarrete adaptor. Has anyone used this attachment? In order for the charger to begin charging I have to turn the key to position 1. When I do this the speedometer and tach lights are on. Is it O.K. to leave the key in position 1 for say three to four hours while the battery is charging? I can of course use the alligator clips attached directly to the battery but the battery cover on a Cooper can be a problem removing. The plastic clips break quite easily especially in cold weather. Any help would be apprecaited.
Ken

 

Safest and best way is to connect it directly to the battery for a quick charge. The AC outlet charging method is really for cars that the power stays on all the time to the outlet, which in a Mini it does not.

 

Additionally, how long do you plan to not use the car? A friend of mine pretty much leaves his MCS in the garage from Oct thru April... and has done so since '03... never had a problem with the battery (still original). This doesn't seem to be as much of an issue with the MINI as it can be with other cars... like my '78 Spit 6... which seems to drain the battery despite having a neg-terminal disconnect...

 

Did it come with quick disconnect option? (two ring connectors attach to the batter with a connector to the tender) I use that on my Miata.
You'd probably have to cut a notch in the battery cover to let the pigtail hang out, but I'd prefer that to leaving the car in accessory mode for hours on end...

 

I drive the car five days a week but only for short trips around town. The MINI manual warns against short trips not allowing the MINI battery charging system to fully charge the battery. They suggest a trickle charger with a cigarette adaptor. I replaced my OEM battery about a month ago and I'm certain the short trips shortened the battery life. I wish the battery cover had metal clips! I already broke one changing the battery in frigid weather.
By the way, the Battery Tender works great on my 80 Spitfire. No worries having access to the battery on a Spitfire!

 

The unit came with ring connectors and aligator clips. Like you say, I'd have to modify the battery cover to allow them to hang out. Don't really want to do that. I've already modified it by busting a clip trying to get it off! How do the ring connectors work? They aren't big enough to fit over the battery posts. Do they attach to the screw on the clamps?
Thanks

 

yes just connect them to the terminal end .Then run the pig tail out for easy access this is actualy preferred not the cig lighter that taxes the bettery tender while it is trying to maintain the battery.