Jumper cable gauge?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
Here's a suggestion from DK Customs for enhancing the cooling around your engine. Remove the left thigh guard , the right one will scoop in the air and move it through the area behind the rear cylinder. and out to the left side. That area does get hot.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Plover, WI
What blows fuses on anything is the VOLTAGE DROP. The more the voltage drops during a connection, the more amperage is going to flow through the wires and the starter motor. That`s why a dead battery will blow a fuse if the source of power can`t provide enough power to keep the voltage from dropping. That is basic electricity law, or Ohm`s Law. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Santa Cruz
You folks worry too much and over think stuff. The guy is traveling with other bikes so in the unlikely event someone actually gets a dead battery they can just swap batteries around. When out alone with a bad Alt. I had to park on hills and/or have the wife push start me. Gas stations with a charger got us through two days before we could get it fixed in Scotts Bluff. No need to carry jumpers or battery packs. But then I like to pack light without a pile of useless stuff. That Jumper cable or battery pack would have been pretty useless.
Last edited by 0ldhippie; Jun 11, 2019 at 08:49 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Virginia
You folks worry too much and over think stuff. The guy is traveling with other bikes so in the unlikely event someone actually gets a dead battery they can just swap batteries around. When out alone with a bad Alt. I had to park on hills and/or have the wife push start me. Gas stations with a charger got us through two days before we could get it fixed in Scotts Bluff. No need to carry jumpers or battery packs. But then I like to pack light without a pile of useless stuff. That Jumper cable or battery pack would have been pretty useless.
It is tough to carry everything to fix any conceivable problem on a bike. But a jump pack is a real quick and easy way to start a bike when one of your fellow riders leaves the ignition on or some accessory that is wired directly to the battery. at a lunch stop. Much faster than trying to swap batteries, much easier than trying to push start a 900 lb bike on a flat parking lot.
Having one person in a group carry a jump pack or jumper cables comes in handy. Not everyone needs to carry them. Also the jump packs can charge or run other devices like phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, ect... while away from your bike.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Not bad to also have cables but these are the future.
10 or 12 GA seems way to small. Recently while trouble shooting riding more, I used a jumper, from battery to starter. Started to stick and barely moved it.
Some of my jumpers are 12,I bought this so not sure. Point being that was a small motor.
Years ago I bought bike jumper cables. Ya I could have built something. These were cheap and nice.
I'd go 6 or 8 if I had to pull number from butt. Though I bet a person could google.
But more importantly I would get some nice flexible cable. Maybe welding cable.
Maybe cut end off rusty car jumper cables.
To think you are saving room going from 12 from10, is just silly. The wire gauge is not the bulk.
10 or 12 GA seems way to small. Recently while trouble shooting riding more, I used a jumper, from battery to starter. Started to stick and barely moved it.
Some of my jumpers are 12,I bought this so not sure. Point being that was a small motor.
Years ago I bought bike jumper cables. Ya I could have built something. These were cheap and nice.
I'd go 6 or 8 if I had to pull number from butt. Though I bet a person could google.
But more importantly I would get some nice flexible cable. Maybe welding cable.
Maybe cut end off rusty car jumper cables.
To think you are saving room going from 12 from10, is just silly. The wire gauge is not the bulk.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Motorcycle forums are not the place to talk electrical. Guy should just buy some bine cables. If he is asking, he probably shouldn't.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Incidentally, I keep these in a saddlebag just in case all else fails.
If you are still interested; Yuasa Motorcycle Jumper Cables, small, portable, easy to store, and made for the job. 8 feet, 8 gauge.
Again, connect to hot post of starter and a good grounded bolt - each bike, of course.
https://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUA00AC...gateway&sr=8-8
If you are still interested; Yuasa Motorcycle Jumper Cables, small, portable, easy to store, and made for the job. 8 feet, 8 gauge.
Again, connect to hot post of starter and a good grounded bolt - each bike, of course.
https://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUA00AC...gateway&sr=8-8
Look they list the gauge.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: England
Be careful jumping. The ECM can get damaged. Had this happen to a friend. 700 bucks for a new ECM!! Make sure the key is off when connecting and reconnecting to prevent any surges or spikes
Don't use jumper cables
