Battery terminal extensions?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Templeton California
Battery terminal extensions?
Ok this is the second time I've had to fuss with the battery on my FLHTK and I hate it.Yes it's my own damn fault I left the ignition on acc and drained the battery but what a PITA it is to get to that damn thing with some jumper cables or a charger.Has anybody ever made some extensions that could come out maybe under the side cover that you could easily attach clamps to?Even if they were coiled up under the seat it would be better that trying to hold all that plastic and wiring out of the way while trying to attach clamps to the terminals.I was thinking some heavy gage wire with a couple of those flat loop things on each end 1 end attached to the battery terminals the other with some kind of rubber boot to keep them from grounding out or arcing would this work?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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You need a battery tender/charger. They come with pigtail leads that you can route to an easy place.
I have mine attached with velcro right in front of the side cover, on the frame.
However those pigtails should only be used for charging the battery, not to jump start the bike with.
Here is the one I use.
You can also use the positive connection on the starter to attach your jumper cables to.
I have mine attached with velcro right in front of the side cover, on the frame.
However those pigtails should only be used for charging the battery, not to jump start the bike with.
Here is the one I use.
You can also use the positive connection on the starter to attach your jumper cables to.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
so you jump your bike and start it and off you go.
here's the problem:
not only is your charging system keeping the bike running, but it is also trying to charge up a duff battery.
It is easy to stress the stator or voltage regulator and destroy them.
so a minor problem becomes a $600 fix.
Something to consider.
2.) most tender cables will ( and should) have a fuse in them. The power required to jump start a bike would far exceed the
rated fuse....the wire itself would probably melt at about 4 amps.
OP, the + battery cable goes to the starter, that is where you could ( after considering) attach the jumper cable- attach the other to a chassis ground.
adding a cable as you propose is a great idea until it somehow contacts the frame and short out, causing a fire.
and finally...a battery once discharged will only recharge to about 60% of it's previous capacity.
Your battery is probably on it's way out having been discharged a couple of times.
pull it, charge it with a battery charger ( not a tender) and load test ( free at autozone)...if you battery is dying then it is a constant load on the charging system
Mike
here's the problem:
not only is your charging system keeping the bike running, but it is also trying to charge up a duff battery.
It is easy to stress the stator or voltage regulator and destroy them.
so a minor problem becomes a $600 fix.
Something to consider.
2.) most tender cables will ( and should) have a fuse in them. The power required to jump start a bike would far exceed the
rated fuse....the wire itself would probably melt at about 4 amps.
OP, the + battery cable goes to the starter, that is where you could ( after considering) attach the jumper cable- attach the other to a chassis ground.
adding a cable as you propose is a great idea until it somehow contacts the frame and short out, causing a fire.
and finally...a battery once discharged will only recharge to about 60% of it's previous capacity.
Your battery is probably on it's way out having been discharged a couple of times.
pull it, charge it with a battery charger ( not a tender) and load test ( free at autozone)...if you battery is dying then it is a constant load on the charging system
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Nov 4, 2014 at 01:32 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I've used these before and tucked it under the side cover.
http://www.ningbo-electric.com/power...onnectors.html
http://www.ningbo-electric.com/power...onnectors.html
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Santa Cruz
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