NOCO Power Plug Install. Ideas before cutting?

[T4R_Canuck]

So I'm planning to install a NOCO 2A smart charger/maintainer in my engine bay and connecting it to a NOCO 15Amp Power Inlet Plug through my driver's side front fender. The idea is that I can simply open the plug on my fender and connect an extension cord to turn on my battery charger and maintain my battery while parked for long periods of time or when the battery needs a charge.

The plug that would be facing outside requires a 2" diameter hole cut in the fender and is about 3.5" diameter total.

Looking for feedback on the best place, both for its purpose and for esthetics, to mount this plug. It has to be high enough to not be submerged during water crossings.

I have 2 options at this point:
Option 1: On the driver's fender just about even with the top of the wheel well. (picture where a Jeep has its "trail rated" badge mounted.)

Option 2: Higher than option 1, mounted on the fender just below where the fender meets the side of the hood. It would face up slightly and not be perfectly vertical.

Opinions?
I've attached a picture of the plug and a photo of my vehicle as it sits.

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[jhguth]

I use the plastic cowl at the bottom corner of the windshield because it pops out and is cheap to replace if i ever change my mind

 

[llDemonll]

What's the advantage of this? If the car is parked for long periods of time why can't you just hook up a normal battery tender? If the battery needs a charge, why can't you hook up a normal battery tender? If the battery commonly needs a charge, why not fix the actual issue of why it needs a charge?

Just seems like a somewhat pointless hole to cut in the car.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

What's the advantage of this? If the car is parked for long periods of time why can't you just hook up a normal battery tender? If the battery needs a charge, why can't you hook up a normal battery tender? If the battery commonly needs a charge, why not fix the actual issue of why it needs a charge?



Just seems like a somewhat pointless hole to cut in the car.

I'll be running an Odessey AGM battery and want an easy way to top it up without having to pop the hood. Temps where I live can reach - 40C at times so a quick way to plug in is nice to have. It's the same sentiment Toyota has with the block heater plug being designed the exact same way in the front, above the fog light.

I don't mind cutting holes in stuff, it's a trail rig and it's mine. It's not a show car.


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[T4R_Canuck]

I use the plastic cowl at the bottom corner of the windshield because it pops out and is cheap to replace if i ever change my mind

I like this!! Yes, way better idea.
I'm going to look into this idea a little more.

Any issues with snow and ice freezing the door shut or getting into the plug?

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[TRUSTYAXE]

I like this!! Yes, way better idea.
I'm going to look into this idea a little more.

Any issues with snow and ice freezing the door shut or getting into the plug?

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Just an FYI, but by most standards it is a big no no to mount electrical connection ports pointed up.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I like this!! Yes, way better idea.
I'm going to look into this idea a little more.

Any issues with snow and ice freezing the door shut or getting into the plug?

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This looks doable. I’d be mostly concerned about the welfare of the NOCO itself. It’s a commercial grade product and you’ll be submitting it to some wide temperature swings. Freezing cold overnight and hot engine operating temps while driving. The electronics and plastics will age faster. Mount it and dress the wires carefully and with vigilance it should be OK.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

Just an FYI, but by most standards it is a big no no to mount electrical connection ports pointed up.

Good point. As waterproof as they advertise that plug to be, I doubt it would fully keep moisture out when subjected to a harsh winter.

I'll keep brainstorming ideas.

Thanks for the input.

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[T4R_Canuck]

This looks doable. I’d be mostly concerned about the welfare of the NOCO itself. It’s a commercial grade product and you’ll be submitting it to some wide temperature swings. Freezing cold overnight and hot engine operating temps while driving. The electronics and plastics will age faster. Mount it and dress the wires carefully and with vigilance it should be OK.

I agree, it will likely be put to the test outside of its comfort zone during the winter months but for most of the winter, temperatures are within the recommended operating temps shown. We just have a few weeks each winter of those extreme cold temps and if I plan correctly, my battery should be fully charged and in a heates battery warming blanket during those times, eliminating the need to use the NOCO.

Worst case, if I have replace the NOCO plug every 3 or 4 winters for $25, I won't be heartbroken.

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[Agent_Outside]

I did the front grill. Cut a hole in the grill, cut a donut out of thick plastic to go behind to mount screws into. It powers a NOCO genius 2 bank battery charger that tops off the secondary battery and the starter battery separately.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

I did the front grill. Cut a hole in the grill, cut a donut out of thick plastic to go behind to mount screws into. It powers a NOCO genius 2 bank battery charger that tops off the secondary battery and the starter battery separately.

I've thought of this area as well before I considered the fender. On my vehicle the grill seems pretty flimsy and i'm not sure it would hold up to being pushed and pulled on. How has yours held up and what kind of temperature extremes do you deal with?

Looks super clean though and I would do this if I felt it would be sturdy enough.

 

[jrandom]

I use the plastic cowl at the bottom corner of the windshield because it pops out and is cheap to replace if i ever change my mind

This is exactly how I setup mine albeit on the passenger side, I have been running a NoCo gen1 mini onboard for six years, zero issues. Yes that plastic is way cheap to replace!
I even have the charger mounted right behind the front grill. I had it out a year ago, replacing my driving lights, no issues with the case/plastic, no fading, no cracking, was pretty surprised to be honest, considering I drive mostly in storms in he winter, or desert in the summer.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

This is exactly how I setup mine albeit on the passenger side, I have been running a NoCo gen1 mini onboard for six years, zero issues. Yes that plastic is way cheap to replace!
I even have the charger mounted right behind the front grill. I had it out a year ago, replacing my driving lights, no issues with the case/plastic, no fading, no cracking, was pretty surprised to be honest, considering I drive mostly in storms in he winter, or desert in the summer.

Thanks for the input. My plan is to mount a NOCO Genius 2D charger directly on my inner fender and connect it directly to the battery, then connect it to the NOCO plug on the exterior of the vehicle like you. My only concern with mounting he plug in the plastic cowl is snow/water intrusion. If I were to have it plugged in overnight during a snowfall, likely a common event, it would fill with snow as the cover would have to be removed.

After popping the hood and looking more closely, mounting in the fender looks like it would require 2 holes, in both the outer and inner fenders and might not be all that easy. I'd really prefer to use bolts with a nylock nut rather than the self tap screws considering how thin the sheet metal is, so access to the back would be difficult.

I'll check out the front grill area and see where I can possibly reinforce it to not crack or break when pushing or pulling on the plug during cold weather.

 

[jrandom]

Thanks for the input. My plan is to mount a NOCO Genius 2D charger directly on my inner fender and connect it directly to the battery, then connect it to the NOCO plug on the exterior of the vehicle like you. My only concern with mounting he plug in the plastic cowl is snow/water intrusion. If I were to have it plugged in overnight during a snowfall, likely a common event, it would fill with snow as the cover would have to be removed.

After popping the hood and looking more closely, mounting in the fender looks like it would require 2 holes, in both the outer and inner fenders and might not be all that easy. I'd really prefer to use bolts with a nylock nut rather than the self tap screws considering how thin the sheet metal is, so access to the back would be difficult.

I'll check out the front grill area and see where I can possibly reinforce it to not crack or break when pushing or pulling on the plug during cold weather.

Yes, that is a possibility, my truck lives outside, I have a one walled car port, obviously it doesn’t get as cold here. I have found with snow you can blow it out before you unplug it and most will be gone. The extension cord I use consume most of the space, there is little extra room. It is so snug I had to trim a bit of the rubber plug casing for a good fit. I also drilled a roughly 3mm drain hole through the bottom opposite the wiring for drainage, tested (obviously disconnected) works really well for any moisture that does accumulate. I still have/use the rubber cap when it’s not plugged in.

That trim is loose-ish, you can’t just jerk the plug out, but if you’re okay with that it is a nice easily reversible location.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

Yes, that is a possibility, my truck lives outside, I have a one walled car port, obviously it doesn’t get as cold here. I have found with snow you can blow it out before you unplug it and most will be gone. The extension cord I use consume most of the space, there is little extra room. It is so snug I had to trim a bit of the rubber plug casing for a good fit. I also drilled a roughly 3mm drain hole through the bottom opposite the wiring for drainage, tested (obviously disconnected) works really well for any moisture that does accumulate. I still have/use the rubber cap when it’s not plugged in.



That trim is loose-ish, you can’t just jerk the plug out, but if you’re okay with that it is a nice easily reversible location.

My plug and charger were both just delivered, so now I've got a better idea of the scale of the opening. Now that it's in my hands I'll do some trial and error to see where it'll work best for me.

You make a good point about the size of the hole for the plug. Now that I see it, it is unlikely to accumulate any snow. The drain hole idea would also be very helpful if mounted in the cowl trim.

Appreciate the feedback!

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[jhguth]

I like this!! Yes, way better idea.
I'm going to look into this idea a little more.

Any issues with snow and ice freezing the door shut or getting into the plug?

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Never had an issue although I’m in NC so can’t speak to climates with a lot of snow. I’ve had it like this for a few years now and no issues through any of the few snow and ice events we get here.

I tabbed a little rubber cap for the extension cord to keep rain out, but even without it it’s never been an issue

 

[jhguth]

And the noco charger itself I mounted on the plastic lid for the fuse box, it’s been there for years with no issue.

 

[T4R_Canuck]

Well.. It's done. I still have to zip tie some wires and put a wire loom on to protect the positive and ground cable, but it is operational.

After some consideration, I choose the removable panel on the cowl. The plug gives me confidence that water won't be an issue, the location worked great for mounting the charger within reach and it looks clean and stealth when not in use.

If I ever choose to sell the vehicle, or just remove the charger, I can change that panel in the cowl in about 60 seconds and it'll look stock again.

Thanks to everyone for the awesome feedback and ideas.

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[jrandom]

Nice, looks good :thumb: Ah I see you picked up one of the new models. That things is tiny compared to mine! Maybe time to look into an upgrade

 

[T4R_Canuck]

Nice, looks good :thumb: Ah I see you picked up one of the new models. That things is tiny compared to mine! Maybe time to look into an upgrade

Thanks man. Yeah, I got the Noco Genius 2D on sale for $50 Cdn, normally $69. They are on sale direct from Noco for $39 USD right now. Its super small and took about 2 minutes to mount. Time will tell how well it works.