2013 Battery Charging: Can't go through the rear cigaretter lighter on an RT anymore

**kbfk** · 01-31-2013, 08:45 PM

On my new 2013 RT I discovered the the rear cigarette lighter is no longer hot after the bike is powered off for 30seconds. The previous RT all had always on sockets. Besides not allowing you to charger your cell phone for a bit while your off the bike, you can no longer plug in a battery tender via the cigaretter lighter which was soooooooooo nice. Now that the battery is upfront anyone have any good ideas for allowing a quick connect option for charging the battery on 2013s? I ride through the winter (kansas it was 7 out today) and need my heated clothing this drains the battery over time so I have to keep it charged regularly, so a quick connect/disconnect is needed. Thoughts?

**boborgera** · 01-31-2013, 08:54 PM

Pig tails fused and direct to the battery, All tenders and heated jackets come with them, I never used a lighter plug on any of my machines.

**jschw80141** · 01-31-2013, 11:07 PM

I also learned the hard way about the socket powering off. Brand new bike dead battery already, had trickle on it doing nothing lol- dealer replaced battery.

Jason Schwartz
Long Island, New York
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Chupaca** · 01-31-2013, 11:19 PM

Anything you need constant power for is best connected directly to the battery. Tenders,heated garments,charging outlets,etc.

**SpyderFun** · 02-01-2013, 12:14 AM

Remember to keep ur rpms at or above 4k to allow charging of the battery while using ur heated gear.

-Mike
<Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk>

**Trickie Dick** · 02-01-2013, 07:08 AM

OK we know about connecting heated clothing. Can anybody answer his question about connecting a battery tender on the 2013?

**NancysToy** · 02-01-2013, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Trickie Dick

OK we know about connecting heated clothing. Can anybody answer his question about connecting a battery tender on the 2013?

It was already answered...fused pigtail connected to the battery (or possibly the revised jumper connections. You could also still use alligator clips on the jumper terminals, or install a Powerlet that is hot full time. I did the latter on Nancy's GS (in addition to one that is switched). Lots of ways to skin this cat.

**boborgera** · 02-01-2013, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Trickie Dick

OK we know about connecting heated clothing. Can anybody answer his question about connecting a battery tender on the 2013?

Same as the heated jacket, Pig tail it, I've used that method since the last Century.

**Bob Denman** · 02-01-2013, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by boborgera

Pig tail it, I've used that method since the last Century.

Bob,
When you put it that way; it really makes you sound old!

Using the plug in the top trunk was way easier on the older models due to battery placement. The new location makes it much more accessible for wiring up electricals directly to it.

**ulflyer** · 02-01-2013, 03:14 PM

One easy fix is to trade your '13 for my '11!

**kbfk** · 02-01-2013, 03:35 PM

Thank you for all of the replies. Let me clarify what I'm trying to do. With the battery moving to the front of the bike, the access is now under a panel under the frunk lid. The goal is to come up with an elegant, safe and quick way to charge the battery. I have visions of adding a marine female cigarette lighter adapter to the panel under the frunk lid. Having to lift the frunk lid and the take the panel off once to twice a week would get old. I also worry about the panel securing plastic bolt breaking or wearing out. I'm also very concerned about doing something that will let water in during a rainstorm. Having a pig tail sticking out could be a leak source or something worse. Ink water following the cable to the battery.

Thoughts ?

**NancysToy** · 02-01-2013, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by kbfk

Thank you for all of the replies. Let me clarify what I'm trying to do. With the battery moving to the front of the bike, the access is now under a panel under the frunk lid. The goal is to come up with an elegant, safe and quick way to charge the battery. I have visions of adding a marine female cigarette lighter adapter to the panel under the frunk lid. Having to lift the frunk lid and the take the panel off once to twice a week would get old. I also worry about the panel securing plastic bolt breaking or wearing out. I'm also very concerned about doing something that will let water in during a rainstorm. Having a pig tail sticking out could be a leak source or something worse. Ink water following the cable to the battery.

Thoughts ?

I'd recommend a Powerlet instead of a cigarette outlet. They are smaller, and provide a more secure connection. An easy place to install one is at the flat corner of the speaker grill. Mine are 1" down from the dash and 1" in from the glovebox. On Nancy's GS I use one in a similar location for charging. It is weatherproof, and you don't need to open anything but its lid to charge. I have that capability on my Spyder, too, but I use the rear trunk on my 2011. An added feature to using a Powerlet outlet near the dash is that the charger cord can be looped around the hand grip as a reminder that you are plugged in. BTW, if you installed a pigtail, you could leave it in the frunk, just like the outlet, and the ones that come with chargers have a cap to keep out the weather when not plugged in, anyway.

**jerpinoy** · 02-01-2013, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by ulflyer

One easy fix is to trade your '13 for my '11!

One good reason to follow and keep track of this

Love it.

**Sarge707** · 02-01-2013, 05:26 PM

One Good thing is that tightening the battery terminals (once in a while) should be easier than taking off panels and Pulling up that plastic piece under the seat to get to one of the terminals!

**Bob Denman** · 02-02-2013, 04:10 PM

I wonder if you could just run 12 volt power to the top trunk outlet from another source so that it remains hot all of the time??

**rock** · 02-02-2013, 06:52 PM

im with you bob, that would be the easiest way to solve that problem...

**sunshinelady** · 02-02-2013, 09:01 PM

In the 2013 RT manual p.153 it says you can make the rear 12V power outlet run all the time by changing the fuse from the 6 slot to 7 slot in the right fuse box.
"When fuse 6 is installed, 12 V power outlet is only operational when ignition switch is at ON position. When fuse 7 is installed, 12V power outlet is always operational."

I did this and it works.

**Trickie Dick** · 02-02-2013, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by sunshinelady

In the 2013 RT manual p.153 it says you can make the rear 12V power outlet run all the time by changing the fuse from the 6 slot to 7 slot in the right fuse box.
"When fuse 6 is installed, 12 V power outlet is only operational when ignition switch is at ON position. When fuse 7 is installed, 12V power outlet is always operational."

I did this and it works.

Good information. Thanks. When all else fails, read the instructions.

**inmate1905** · 02-02-2013, 09:21 PM

I will be making that change very soon. Just took delivery on my 2013 RT Limited today. It was the first one delivered in Central Florida. It's brother was delivered right after ours. An exact duplicate!

**canam9** · 02-02-2013, 09:25 PM

Battery tender makes an adapter that plugs into the plug used for heated gear.
Cheers!

**Sarge707** · 02-02-2013, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by sunshinelady

In the 2013 RT manual p.153 it says you can make the rear 12V power outlet run all the time by changing the fuse from the 6 slot to 7 slot in the right fuse box.
"When fuse 6 is installed, 12 V power outlet is only operational when ignition switch is at ON position. When fuse 7 is installed, 12V power outlet is always operational."

I did this and it works.

You Made a Lot of New Owners Happy!!!!!!!!!!!

**MarkLawson** · 02-02-2013, 10:08 PM

I have fused Gerbing pigtails attached directly to the battery and coming out the square hole under the saddle that the rear passenger sensor wire comes out. I zip tied the pigtails to that wire loom and just stuff them down the hole when not in use. The zip ties make sure I can always fish them back out when needed.

**Bob Denman** · 02-03-2013, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by sunshinelady

In the 2013 RT manual p.153 it says you can make the rear 12V power outlet run all the time by changing the fuse from the 6 slot to 7 slot in the right fuse box.
"When fuse 6 is installed, 12 V power outlet is only operational when ignition switch is at ON position. When fuse 7 is installed, 12V power outlet is always operational."

Sunshine, Thanks a MILLION for doing the heavy-lifting on this one!

You've made a lot of 2013 RT jockeys happy!

And

(Her second post, and she's already giving good advice!)

**scooterexpress** · 02-05-2013, 12:44 PM

on page 1 of the manual it says men don't read manuals thank you. she will have to travel to ft-worth and work on my 2011 when i need help.welcome

**SpyderFun** · 04-17-2013, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Sunshine, Thanks a MILLION for doing the heavy-lifting on this one!

You've made a lot of 2013 RT jockeys happy!

And

(Her second post, and she's already giving good advice!)

Just did this today on a friends 2013 and it works! It's the LEFT HAND frunk fuse panel fuse that needs moving!

-Mike
<Sent using Tapatalk>

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