Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:16 pm**

Is there an optimum scheme for installing and using battery charger pigtails on motorcycle batteries? Both wires to the battery? One to the positive terminal, one grounded to the frame? Over the years I've cobbled up different battery charging pigtails on a few different bikes to avoid messing with side covers while keeping the batteries charged during the winter. Never had any problems, but my approach was not the same in all cases. On one I just routed a red wire from the positive battery terminal to a small plastic plate mounted on the frame below the bike's side cover, attached the wire to a small bolt extending through the plate, and covered the bolt with a rubber cap. To charge the battery I'd remove the rubber cap, clip the positive charger clamp to the bolt and the negative clamp to a bolt somewhere on the motorcycle frame. On other bikes I'd go the lazy route and use a commercial version - wires from both battery terminals ending in a combined plug, to which you connect an extension of the pigtail, to which you clip the charger clamps. I've seen different instructions for charging batteries 'in situ' and on the bench - clamp directly to the terminals if the battery is out of the bike, and to the POS terminal and frame if the battery is to be charged while installed in the bike. Other references make no distinction - pigtail wires to both terminals, battery in the bike or out. Is there much of a difference? Safety? Effiency? Reduced threat to the battery or the bike's electrical system? Steve

Posted: **Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:03 pm**

On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:16:09 -0600 "Steve Dyer" writes:

> Is there an optimum scheme for installing and using battery charger > pigtails > on motorcycle batteries? Both wires to the battery? One to the > positive > terminal, one grounded to the frame?

SNIP

> I've seen different instructions for charging batteries 'in situ' > and on the > bench - clamp directly to the terminals if the battery is out of the > bike, > and to the POS terminal and frame if the battery is to be charged > while > installed in the bike. Other references make no distinction - > pigtail wires > to both terminals, battery in the bike or out. Is there much of a > difference? Safety? Effiency? Reduced threat to the battery or > the > bike's electrical system? > > Steve

<><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><> Steve, It shouldn't make any difference where you connect the cables as long as they are good connections and the wires aren't excessive in length or too small in size. If you aren't hooking in an accessory socket I think the SAE connector type pigtails work well. I suggest you install a fuse in the positive lead for a bit of protection. If you use the SAE connector make sure the positive side is the female connector so it will be protected from shorting to the frame. I like connecting additional positive wires to the starter solenoid hot cable. Once they are installed you don't have to mess with them when doing battery removal or installation. I think it keeps the battery positive post connection a bit cleaner, easier to manage and more reliable since there are less moving parts. I have two BMW (DIN) type accessory sockets on my KLR dash. One is relay controlled and the other is always hot. I use the always hot socket for my GPS, air compressor when on the trail and battery charging. I've never had a problem using this system. I've also modified the wiring on all my bikes and electrical accessories to work with DIN or SAE connectors. But I prefer the DIN connectors for ease of use, reliability and mounting location. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT ____________________________________________________________ Are you a natural healer? Refine your skills at a Massage Therapy School. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw1WDA7mT4CKsMZ107zvbYBMSY3CA50fOPbX69I6tBJKszjxS/

Posted: **Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:19 pm**

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Dyer" wrote:

> > Is there an optimum scheme for installing and using battery charger

pigtails

> on motorcycle batteries? Both wires to the battery? One to the

positive

> terminal, one grounded to the frame? >

SNIP

> Steve >

Steve, This is not my idea, but I don't mind sharing with you what Jeff Saline suggested to me--and I helped, cough, I stayed out of the way during the tech day (actually was doing something else)....His battery equipped bikes are set up so that he can go into a power outlet quickly (his are set up with BMW plugs) and charge the battery through power plugs that are hot-wired to the battery. My KLR's have two cig lighter plugs. One is wired hot all the time to power the GPS. We built a male cig lighter pig tail that goes into the 'hot' outlet with the two prong SAE connector--then attached to the Battery Tender brand charger, 2prong SAE connector. Works fabulously, darling. One note: the battery tender instructions call for the pigtail/jumper to be fully attached before applying power. Good idea as the center pole is 'hot' and you would not want short anything out, etc. Otherwise, I was always just one wire to pos, one to negative (with a tad of di-electric grease (or vaseline). Just make sure it is not to long to unwind and get 'wrapped around the axle'). Others have wired it into the battery side of the starter solenoid to avoid corrosion--with equal success. (You will still have to find a ground.) NOTE: Be sure to service a wet-cell battery while you are there as well ie with distilled water and clean the terminals before installation. revmaaatin.

Posted: **Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:45 pm**

Go to a auto parts store and ask for a 2-Way Connector Set, might have to hit an RV store if none at Auto parts. Looks like a 4-Way Flat ( like a small utility trailer would have, but only 2 connectors. Install eyelets on one end, to attach to battery terminals ( Make sure the one you put on the bike has Ground terminal exposed, NOT the Positive ) I did this on my bike, 4 Wheeler, Lawn Tractor, then used the other connector of the set and installed that on the charger, Battery Tender already had this style connector. ( Positive pin exposed ) so only have to plug into the connector that I tuck up under the side cover and plug in the charger/Tender. TaDa... Simple and cost next to nothing. Dooden A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Dyer" wrote: > > Is there an optimum scheme for installing and using battery charger pigtails > on motorcycle batteries? Both wires to the battery? One to the positive > terminal, one grounded to the frame? > > Over the years I've cobbled up different battery charging pigtails on a few > different bikes to avoid messing with side covers while keeping the > batteries charged during the winter. Never had any problems, but my > approach was not the same in all cases. On one I just routed a red wire > from the positive battery terminal to a small plastic plate mounted on the > frame below the bike's side cover, attached the wire to a small bolt > extending through the plate, and covered the bolt with a rubber cap. To > charge the battery I'd remove the rubber cap, clip the positive charger > clamp to the bolt and the negative clamp to a bolt somewhere on the > motorcycle frame. On other bikes I'd go the lazy route and use a > commercial version - wires from both battery terminals ending in a combined > plug, to which you connect an extension of the pigtail, to which you clip > the charger clamps. > > I've seen different instructions for charging batteries 'in situ' and on the > bench - clamp directly to the terminals if the battery is out of the bike, > and to the POS terminal and frame if the battery is to be charged while > installed in the bike. Other references make no distinction - pigtail wires > to both terminals, battery in the bike or out. Is there much of a > difference? Safety? Effiency? Reduced threat to the battery or the > bike's electrical system? > > Steve >

Posted: **Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:36 am**

I find it easier to run just 1 wire; a hot battery terminal wire to an insulated female bullet crimp connector. With the round female insulated crimp connector, you can just stick in a screw or proper uninsulated male bullet crimp connector. Then I can clip my trickle charger or regular charger RED lead to the screw or male connector. The chargers BLACK can be clipped onto any ground on my motos and there are at least a dozen easy ground spots on most motorcycles. Jeffrey

Posted: **Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:14 pm**

kiss Keep iT Simple Stupid I went to local auto parts store bought a battery sealed never needs service (or so it says) I also bought cheap kit that went with battery that hooked up with battery so simple clips went to battery and out to charger so simple hooks up to battery then ouside to charger easy in alabama eddie

----- Original Message ----- From: nakedwaterskier To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 11:53 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Battery charger pigtail I find it easier to run just 1 wire; a hot battery terminal wire to an insulated female bullet crimp connector. With the round female insulated crimp connector, you can just stick in a screw or proper uninsulated male bullet crimp connector. Then I can clip my trickle charger or regular charger RED lead to the screw or male connector. The chargers BLACK can be clipped onto any ground on my motos and there are at least a dozen easy ground spots on most motorcycles. Jeffrey [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:13 pm**

I installed on my 07 KLR650 a Gerbing Powerlet 12VDC covered receptacle on the left side panel below the seat. That gives a KLR rider a place to plug in electric clothing or with an extra Powerlet plug, a nice battery charger port. The location is close to the rider when riding with an electric jacket liner or vest and a good visual spot to remove a battery charger (Battery Tender) before riding. I can supply photos of exact panel location and wiring if needed. Mark 116.7 mph in a landsailor is fun !!!!!!! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:18 pm**

I did something similar, ran a pigtail under the seat out the back to the rack, so I can run all my $*(*%#$ in my cans when I have them, and its alot easier then taking the seat/side panels off every time I forget to turn the headlight on. -- Regards, Richard Bessey System Administrator Vivio Technologies Mark H wrote:

> > I installed on my 07 KLR650 a Gerbing Powerlet 12VDC covered > receptacle on the left side panel below the seat. That gives a KLR > rider a place to plug in electric clothing or with an extra Powerlet > plug, a nice battery charger port. The location is close to the rider > when riding with an electric jacket liner or vest and a good visual > spot to remove a battery charger (Battery Tender) before riding. I > can supply photos of exact panel location and wiring if needed. Mark > > 116.7 mph in a landsailor is fun !!!!!!! > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >

Posted: **Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:51 pm**

Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: big gun exhaust for klrThat was an honest mistake, and you damn well know it. Thanks CA Stu -----Original Message----- From: Bogdan Swider [mailto:BSwider@...] Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:16 PM To: Stuart Mumford; No Reply Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: big gun exhaust for klr However, I certainly wouldn't want to be in the midst of a 2000 mile week-long motorcycle camping trip, packing my exhaust around the campfire. It s a small step from packing glass into your Big Guano to packing a gerbil, you know where. Bogdan, who believes motorcycles should be seen not heard. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]