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?
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2013 Battery Charging: Can't go through the rear cigaretter lighter on an RT anymore
- Thread starter kbfk
- Start date
jschw80141
New member
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
Jason Schwartz
Long Island, New York
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Trickie Dick
New member
OK we know about connecting heated clothing. Can anybody answer his question about connecting a battery tender on the 2013?
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
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.
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Same as the heated jacket, Pig tail it, I've used that method since the last Century. :dontknow:
Bob Denman
New member
Bob,
When you put it that way; it really makes you sound old! :shocked: :roflblack:
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. :thumbup:
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 ?
Thoughts ?
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
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.
:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:One good reason to follow and keep track of this :spyder2::spyder2: Love it.
Bob Denman
New member
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?? :dontknow:
sunshinelady
New member
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.
"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
New member
Good information. Thanks. When all else fails, read the instructions. :roflblack::welcome:
inmate1905
New member
Thanks for finding that in the manual..
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!
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!
