Battery Tender

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Aug 16, 2008 | 11:24 AM

tda69

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 3,272

Likes: 83

From: Southern California

Battery Tender

Well it's Saturday at 9:20am and I've already been up for the past hour or more. Sleeping to 8 or 8:30am is sleeping in for me. I have to force myself to lay in bed that long. Otherwise I'm ready to get up around 6-6:30am My wife it seems could sleep all day. So, since she is still sleeping in bed and we have no kids the weekend, now may be the perfect time to head out to the garage to install the Battery Tender w/ Pigtales that's been sitting on my workbench for the past 2 months.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Last edited by tda69; Aug 16, 2008 at 03:52 PM.

Aug 16, 2008 | 11:35 AM

themensh

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 5,331

Likes: 56

From: north of Daytona

you mean installing the 'pig tail' to your battery? Piece of cake....
(then get back in bed)

Aug 16, 2008 | 11:38 AM

Deepsouth251

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,063

Likes: 1

From: Alabama Gulf Coast

I'm ashamed to say I have that beat. 3 new bikes since 03. Bought hd battery tender and harness to install with the 03 ultra. Been thru an new 06 Road King and just ordered a new 09 Ultra. Battery Tender and harness still lying on my desk in office, 5 yrs old and still in original boxes.

Aug 16, 2008 | 11:41 AM

Skulmn

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 802

Likes: 2

From: Here and There

It should take you all of five minutes, most of which is pulling off your seat.

I've used a battery tender for years and "plug" the bike in after every ride. I use one on my car too.

Aug 16, 2008 | 11:44 AM

Deepsouth251

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,063

Likes: 1

From: Alabama Gulf Coast

This may qualify me as "King of the Procrastinators". It's not that I don't know how, just haven't taken the time. My intentions are good.

Aug 16, 2008 | 11:49 AM

omgtkk

Road Master

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 803

Likes: 3

From: Collegeville, PA

Deepsouth, if you are trading your bikes in that quickly it doesn't seem like you need that Tender. No chance for the batteries to get old enough to go bad.

Aug 16, 2008 | 11:55 AM

Deepsouth251

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,063

Likes: 1

From: Alabama Gulf Coast

Also, Ride 4-6 times a week (mileage varies) including winter months. No problems keeping batteries charged, I guess that's why I never bothered to install it. Had 35,000 miles on 03 ultra when sold as a 2 1/2 year old.

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Aug 16, 2008 | 04:08 PM

tda69

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 3,272

Likes: 83

From: Southern California

Well I got 'er done! Although it wasn't without interuptions or delays...... A riding buddy of mine came by while I was working on the bike, so we sat down and shot the breeze for awhile, then before you know it, it's an hour later and sleeping beauty gets out of bed and comes out to the garage dressed in her jammies and wants to know about breakfast. So my buddy took off, she got dressed and we went to Mimi's Cafe for a delicious breakfast. Afterwards we stopped by the HD dealer to take a peek at the new '09's. Then back to the stable to finish what I started.

First I must tell you this is a job that would have only taken about 5 minutes on my '03 Ultra. However, with the reconfigured layout on the '08 it took about 45 minutes, which is much longer than I anticipated.

Gone are the passenger hand rails, so in order to remove the seat you must #1 remove the right saddlebag #2 remove bolt securing passenger strap (left side) which also secures left/front saddlebag bracket #3 remove seat #4 with the seat removed, detach the ECU and move aside #5 with battery cover exposed (which the ECU attaches to) unbolt and seat aside battery cover #6 with battery terminals exposed, attach pigtails accordingly. What a pain in the butt! All of this for what should be a 5 minute job. In '08 HD relocated the ECU from the right side panel to under the seat and added a cover, so the battery is now literally buried. While I was there, I went ahead and replaced the 9 volt battery for the siren which is located under the left side cover.

At least everything is done now and she will be ready for the next ride.

Last edited by tda69; Aug 16, 2008 at 04:11 PM.