Useful tricker charger installation

[MDRanger]

This may be useful for anyone still risking the side cover grommets to charge the battery. I park and plug it in. A 1.5 to 1.75 amp is ideal. It hides nicely in the backrest leather while riding. Enjoy

[MDRanger]

that would be TRICKLE charger

[tfdeputydawg]

And it should not be used over long periods of time!
Most of us use battery maintainers, BatteryTender is an example.
When you buy one it comes w/a pig tail as shown above.
Mine gets plugged in every time I park it in it's spot in the garage.
Battery is now nearly 7 years old and still load tests excellant!

[bcassel]

My solution was to connect the quick connector to a cigar lighter plug and just plug it into the cigar lighter/power access that was installed on the dash for cell phone/GPS/etc. It is wired direct to the battery through a 10 amp fuse. Simpler and no wires to hide.

[vtxcandyred]

I read an article on a trickle charger someone was using and his garage went up in flames. I have NO idea if it was the cause but HE was wondering. I guess the fire inspector was looking in that direction. I have NEVER used a maintainer or a trickle charger and the bike spins over even in the middle of winter.

[wjnfirearms]

If you're talking about the mess that one of our members had, the fire was ruled electrical and not because of the battery maintainer. They are generally safe to use and I use two myself. One Schumaker for the Wing and one from Harbor Freight for the Kawasaki. Never had any problems for all the time I've been using them.

[WingAdmin]

I have destroyed two motorcycle batteries and one lawn tractor battery using the Harbor Freight trickle changer. Not only does it destroy them, it does so in a matter of days! The batteries are constantly overcharged, it continues providing overvoltage current despite the fact the batteries are fully charged. I will never again use a "trickle charger."

What I will use, and DO use however, are Battery Tender. I personally own FIVE Battery Tender Jr.'s, one for each motorcycle, one for my generator and one for my trailer battery. Since I started utilizing these Battery Tenders, I have not replaced a single battery, and they all still work like brand new.

When batteries can easily cost $100, why economize on a crappy $10 Harbor Freight "trickle charger"? It's false economy. Spend $30 on a Battery Tender, and keep that battery for years to come.

[thrasherg]

I have destroyed two motorcycle batteries and one lawn tractor battery using the Harbor Freight trickle changer. Not only does it destroy them, it does so in a matter of days! The batteries are constantly overcharged, it continues providing overvoltage current despite the fact the batteries are fully charged. I will never again use a "trickle charger."

What I will use, and DO use however, are Battery Tender. I personally own FIVE Battery Tender Jr.'s, one for each motorcycle, one for my generator and one for my trailer battery. Since I started utilizing these Battery Tenders, I have not replaced a single battery, and they all still work like brand new.

When batteries can easily cost $100, why economize on a crappy $10 Harbor Freight "trickle charger"? It's false economy. Spend $30 on a Battery Tender, and keep that battery for years to come.

I had very similar results with the harbor freight trickle chargers!! I now have 7 battery tender juniors charging all 7 motorcycle batteries and have never had a single problem!! Can't rate battery tenders (Junior or normal) high enough, but skip the harbor freight chargers, a good example of "you get what you pay for!"

Gray

[MDRanger]

I am using a schumaker 1.5 amp that cuts off when the battery is charged. Even a 2 amp is too large for a motorcycle battery especially if left on with no cutoff. There is an exact formula you can research online for the battery amp to charger ratio. And batteries do vary in amp ratings. It is important not to exceed the amp charging ratio. It is also a good idea to make sure the charger is cutting off properly and to watch the battery for overcharge bubbling when you first install and test it(out of the bike). Thanks for the ideas Wingers. Great forum! Before the bike I have used them for years on my John deere and boats. My Wing is a 96 which means it has the cassette rather than the CD. It is the single most battery depleting appliance on the bike. I use it!

Happy V-day to all you Angel Lady Wingers and thanks for putting up with us Hard Butt road warriors!

[liquineer]

I'm using an Optimiser, and I have taken the original lead, going to the bike battery, and lengthened it, run it up the frame under the seat, and it sits in the passnger RHS (as you sit on the bike) pocket- the device is mounted on a beam above the bike and I just connect the two parts of the connector together- I used to keep tripping over the darn thing when it was plugged in to a wall and came sideways near the floor to the bike, so now it is out of the way, and I just close the passenger pocket and all is neat when riding.

[WingAdmin]

I'm using an Optimiser, and I have taken the original lead, going to the bike battery, and lengthened it, run it up the frame under the seat, and it sits in the passnger RHS (as you sit on the bike) pocket- the device is mounted on a beam above the bike and I just connect the two parts of the connector together- I used to keep tripping over the darn thing when it was plugged in to a wall and came sideways near the floor to the bike, so now it is out of the way, and I just close the passenger pocket and all is neat when riding.

That's where mine is as well, except it's on the left hand side pocket.

On my wife's Pacific Coast, it's hidden behind the right hand passenger footpeg - fold it down, and you see the wire revealed.