Battery Tender - Why isn't this simple?

[Questions]

I went to add a battery tende to the spyder. It is 20 degrees out right now and getting colder, so I didn't want to spend a lot of time doing it. How hard can it be? Unscrew the battery terminals, slide on the tender, plug it in.

First, if there is a way to raise the seat or remove it, I don't know it, so I'm working under it. Second, the negative terminal just spins, so it seems there is a nut under all the cowling that has to be held to remove it. Is this correct? Do I have to undo the cowling to get to the bottom of the negative battery terminal?

Thanks.

 

[BRPjunkie]

I went to add a battery tende to the spyder. It is 20 degrees out right now and getting colder, so I didn't want to spend a lot of time doing it. How hard can it be? Unscrew the battery terminals, slide on the tender, plug it in.

First, if there is a way to raise the seat or remove it, I don't know it, so I'm working under it. Second, the negative terminal just spins, so it seems there is a nut under all the cowling that has to be held to remove it. Is this correct? Do I have to undo the cowling to get to the bottom of the negative battery terminal?

Thanks.

If you are working under the seat, you are at the remote or secondary battery terminals. You can use these to jump start or for clamp on battery chargers, but I attached the permanent battery tender cable to the actual battery terminals. You have to remove the left rear panel to reach the primary battery terminals.

 

[Director]

If you are working under the seat, you are at the remote or secondary battery terminals. You can use these to jump start or for clamp on battery chargers, but I attached the permanent battery tender cable to the actual battery terminals. You have to remove the left rear panel to reach the primary battery terminals.

I did the same. A note of caution to those who have Givi side cases - you need to remove the bag and partially disassemble the mounting brackets on the left side to remove the rear side panel. It is a bit of pain. Kind of time consuming, but it is not technically difficult.

Bruce

 

[Blackwidow74]

I have a two bank battery tender which I can put my car and my spyder on at the same time. I just lift the seat and use the two terminals under there. I haven't had any problems yet.:2thumbs:

 

[Roaddog2]

Always set up all my tenders at Battery :doorag:

 

[NancysToy]

I installed an auxiliary power bus under the hood, so I tied into the feed for that for a Powerlet outlet on the dash, instead. My Optimate and Accumate chargers have accessory plugs that plug right into that or my BMW power outlets.
-Scotty

 

[Spyderman62]

I ride too much to hook it to anything - yeah even in 20 degree temps. It gets cool enough to call it cold in the St Louis area. But hey, how else can you ride a Polar Bear Ride on the 1st of the year and not get a little cold - makes the hot chocolate taste that much better. - In all seriousness, I hook my tender to a plug in the trunk that is connected via a remote buss, to the battery. We are only talking a trickle charge, not jump start amperage.

 

[Putt-Putt]

I ride too much to hook it to anything - yeah even in 20 degree temps. It gets cool enough to call it cold in the St Louis area. But hey, how else can you ride a Polar Bear Ride on the 1st of the year and not get a little cold - makes the hot chocolate taste that much better. - In all seriousness, I hook my tender to a plug in the trunk that is connected via a remote buss, to the battery. We are only talking a trickle charge, not jump start amperage.

This is the easyest way to do it; plug into the 12v outlet.

 

[Director]

This is the easyest way to do it; plug into the 12v outlet.

I thought of that as well Putt Putt, but my 12V outlet is only functional when the key is turned on. Will the battery tender still work under those circumstances?:dontknow: I wasn't sure, so I just hooked mine up directly to the battery.

Bruce

 

[John in PA]

Not functional unless it's powered. I pulled the panel on the left side of the tail, exposing the battery. I hooked the tender pigtail directly to the battery terminals after applying a tiny bit of dielectric grease to all cable ends (some folks have reported cable corrosion on the cable ends at the battery, so I figured to make a pre-emptive strike. the plug for the tender stows neatly in the pocket under the seat where the positive(red) jumper terminal lives, pulls out far enough for charging even with the seat down. And, if you make up a separate pigtail with the correct polarity and SAE plug, you can plug in any accessory you like (trouble light, cell phone charger, etc) to a 12V socket that's removable when you don't need it. (don't exceed the current rating for the fuse on the tender pigtail!!)

 

[mrb]

I did the same. A note of caution to those who have Givi side cases - you need to remove the bag and partially disassemble the mounting brackets on the left side to remove the rear side panel. It is a bit of pain. Kind of time consuming, but it is not technically difficult.

Bruce

Hi Bruce
I have the Givi set up and I can, with a bit of fiddling and twisting, get my side panels off , reasonably easily,without removing any rack components (just take off the cases) I have done this several times now although when the dealer did the same he put a small light scratch on the Spyder sticker.

 

[Director]

Hi Bruce
I have the Givi set up and I can, with a bit of fiddling and twisting, get my side panels off , reasonably easily,without removing any rack components (just take off the cases) I have done this several times now although when the dealer did the same he put a small light scratch on the Spyder sticker.

Thanks Martin. Good to know it can be done. I also have a small scratch on the Spyder sticker resulting from a technician removing the panel, and that was with the rack partially unbolted. I will give it a go as you have done, though, since it does take a lot longer to unbolt the rack.

Bruce

 

[hawkiii]

Sure wish I would've read this post before I put my rack and GIVI bags on. Oh well. :banghead: Good thing I got a hard head.

 

[NancysToy]

Sure wish I would've read this post before I put my rack and GIVI bags on. Oh well. :banghead: Good thing I got a hard head.

The Givis were next on the list. Now we'll have to ponder. It is unfortunate that you can't do any maintenance on the Spyder without wholesale panel removal. I'm wondering how a covering of blue painter's tape would protect the panels enough for removal. It wouldn't hurt the paint or stickers.
-Scotty

 

[mrb]

The Givis were next on the list. Now we'll have to ponder. It is unfortunate that you can't do any maintenance on the Spyder without wholesale panel removal. I'm wondering how a covering of blue painter's tape would protect the panels enough for removal. It wouldn't hurt the paint or stickers.
-Scotty

Guys this is no big deal. Its relatively easy to get the back panels off with the Givi rack installed - I have done it several times with no damage - its just finding the right angles and slip/flex them out. Just a bit fiddly but I certainly would not see it as any reason not to get the Givi rack.

 

[Director]

Guys this is no big deal. Its relatively easy to get the back panels off with the Givi rack installed - I have done it several times with no damage - its just finding the right angles and slip/flex them out. Just a bit fiddly but I certainly would not see it as any reason not to get the Givi rack.

:agree: Even if it is a little bit of trouble, the panels spend a lot more time on the Spyder than off, and the Givis are one of the best accessories you can put on the Spyder, IMHO.

Bruce

 

[jarhd3]

battery tender simple hookup

Here's a simple solution to charging the battery on the spyder.Remove the side cover to expose the battery,buy 12gauge auto elect cable and terminal ends.Solder or press on the terminal ends to the cable ends.Use red-pos. blk.-neg.,hookup cables to the battery on the correct leads and secure.Run enough cable to the underside of the seat.I used homemade rubber boots on the cable ends to prevent the ends fm. touching and grounding out the battery and to insulate the terminal ends.When you need to trickle charge overnite or whenever remove the booted ends and connect the battery clamps to the cables and charge.Works great! I found that the BRP access.plug didn't work to charge the batt.I use battery tender jr.Lifting the seat to access the cables is hassle free and cuts down on the labor to expose the battery everytime you need to charge up.:2thumbs:

 

[NancysToy]

After hearing all this, I am glad I took the time to put Powerlet outlets in the dash. I just ride into the garage, get off the Spyder, and plug it it. No muss, no fuss, no lifting the seat, no connectors. Guess it's a case of pay me now, or pay me later. Or maybe my BMW just spoiled me.
-Scotty

 

[LDFIREWORKS]

IVE A BATTERY TENDER IS NOT THE SAME AS A BATTERY MAINTAINER I REALY DONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BUT THATS WHAT I HAVE HEARD I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU FIND OUT PLEASE POST THANKS RIDE SAFE

 

[jarhd3]

batt.maintainer vs,.batt.tender

The way i understand it,a batt.maintainer is used to maintain the battery when it is removed fm. the vehicle and put into storage or on the shelf.A batt.tender is used for batt.that is installed in the vehicle and needs to be charged on a daily basis or when it is overtaxed or the weather cond. are harsh or cold.The tender contours the voltage in the batt. and keeps the electroytes fresh.Tenders (good ones) have an auto-shutoff feature and are safer to use and are easier on the batt.life.I use a Battery Tender jr.Works great and is very safe in the garage.