Jumpstarting...
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, VA
Jumpstarting...
I had a dead battery at East Coast Sturgis this weekend (don't ask...) and luckily someone had a jump box so I got my ride started no problem. But my question is, has anyone tried jumping one bike from another using the Battery Tender pigtail that most dealers are installing? Even with the standard 10 amp fuse, it should provide enough juice to start the dead bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,914
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From: On one of 10,000
I made a set of bike jumper cables years ago. Recently I had to use my wife's van to jumpstart my bagger. It worked but the cables got too hot to touch. I think I'll redo them with a heavier gauge wire. I wouldn't trust any pigtail (batterytender, heated gear, etc.) running from the bikes battery. Like others have said, a 10amp fuse is way too wimpy...
I think I'll use a wire gauge similar to what the bikes battery cable is. Does anyone know what gauge the stocker is? Thanx.
I think I'll use a wire gauge similar to what the bikes battery cable is. Does anyone know what gauge the stocker is? Thanx.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
I made a set of bike jumper cables years ago. Recently I had to use my wife's van to jumpstart my bagger. It worked but the cables got too hot to touch. I think I'll redo them with a heavier gauge wire. I wouldn't trust any pigtail (batterytender, heated gear, etc.) running from the bikes battery. Like others have said, a 10amp fuse is way too wimpy...
I think I'll use a wire gauge similar to what the bikes battery cable is. Does anyone know what gauge the stocker is? Thanx.
I think I'll use a wire gauge similar to what the bikes battery cable is. Does anyone know what gauge the stocker is? Thanx.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
10 amp fuse should blow and save you from yourself and your idea. Small wires---too much resistance. Creates heat and causes a voltage drop at the solenoid/starter. Not a good idea. Dead or weak battery is hard on your alternator. Sometimes jump starts are made necessary by people leaving things turned on and draining the battery by mistake.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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Jumping off the pigtail is definitely not recommended. Plus, if you use the battery clips the come with most of the chargers, they are NOT intended to be used for that purpose, the + and - wires would be REVERSED, causing the fuse to blow or even worse melting the wiring. The pigtails that connect to a battery are only meant to be used with the charger, not to attach to the pigtail on the bike. I had thought of doing that, but looking at the pigtail shows that connecting them that way you will put 12V to GROUND!
The pigtails could be used to charge your bikes battery from another vehicle that is not running, but make sure to connect to the battery in reverse, or you WILL have problems!
There was a post last year, where a guy melted his wiring by trying this! BEWARE!
The pigtails could be used to charge your bikes battery from another vehicle that is not running, but make sure to connect to the battery in reverse, or you WILL have problems!
There was a post last year, where a guy melted his wiring by trying this! BEWARE!
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