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After not flying for two weeks and a COLD front moving through I noticed upon starting the plane that it was hesitant to turn over. When talking to my mechanic he said a battery minder will lengthen the life of the battery in general. Thoughts? And any recommendations for a battery minder? Thanks

I keep the batteryminder plugged in anytime she’s parked in my hangar. Harness is installed just above GPU (ziptied around the GPU shroud) using a 45deg alum angle bracket - I open the GPU access door and plug it into the batteryminder harness. Reference lower left of picture - hope this helps you and any others looking for a good place to secure harness for clean and simple access.

https://batteryminder1.com

Buy a BatteryMINDer and hook it up, you'll be glad you have one. It will help extend your battery life. Just make sure to get the correct model (Gill vs Concord).

I had the exact same issue you describe and hesitated between buying a Battery Minder or changing the battery. I bought the battery minder. That was 5 years ago. I had the battery capacity tested at the last annual and it shows as good as new.

I highly recommend the Battery Minder. I like the GPU connection shown above, but mine is attached to the oil filler tube.

+1 for Battery Minder. Plugged in whenever my plane is in the hangar. I am convinced it extends battery life. Attached near the oil filler tube, same as my engine heat.

Another +1 for the Battery Minder. My adapter is also peeking out the GPU door. Note there are different models for different batteries. I have the Concorde RGM and there's one specifically for that.

But there is another consideration. How old is your battery? My plane was tied down outside for five years not tended by my Battery Minder and held up fine.

There is a very small bit of parasitic current draw even with the master off (relay for the Hobbs) and if you leave the pilot map light on there's a bit more, even with LED bulb installed.

Thanks for all the information. I will definitely be purchasing the battery minder that gyro3816 posted. The connection location sounds like a perfect fit.

As far as a location for the connector, I used a slightly different approach. Mine is zip-tied to the oil filler tube, and is accessible just inside the oil filler door:
I had replaced the Camloc fitting on the GPU access door to a flush one that requires a screwdriver (I have never had to use it except in the hangar, for avionics power), and I have a Phillips No 2 handy on my Fuel Sampler. Of course, living in South Texas, I don't have an engine heater connector to deal with, either...

Chocolate and Vanilla, I suppose, but I like my installation...

With respect to low battery this is another topis you should read through:

viewtopic.php?p=69901&hilit=essential+bus#p69901

There are numerous other references to this weakness, but I think this is the most succinct.

I use a battery tender on all my batteries, especially my Concorde given the cost. Be sure to get the tender specifically for the Concorde or Gill. I would recommend Concorde over Gill. The tender desulphates the battery as well. A little pricey but if you can get another year or two out of your battery and your battery is always ready to crank well worth the cost.