Battery Tender Cable Solution

Aug 5, 2024
76
117
Reno, NV
Name
Geoff
I don’t like the look of my battery tender connector zip tied to the frame. Is anyone aware of a mounting bracket for a battery tender pigtail (SAE connector)? There’s a number of different solutions on Amazon, but I’m looking for something that doesn’t require cutting or drilling.
 
Have you considered cutting the zip tie - pop the side cover off and just put it in there.

Then, when or if you need it, just open and attach.
 
I took my trike up north a few weeks ago and the cold was sapping the battery. It started but acted like it didn’t want to start. So I ordered a NOCO jump starter battery and additional harness, had it delivered to the kids’ house while I was there. I added the new harness and tucked both it and my sae 2-pin under the side cover. Luckily I never needed t on the way home
 
If you don’t want to cut or drill, then it would be a good hiding spot behind the side covers as mentioned. (Just a bit of a pain if you connect to your battery tender often)…..
(Or just zip tie it in a more conspicuous spot).

I did see a few other posts not too long ago where a member (or two) purchased an aftermarket one from Amazon and fastened it to the communication port on the LH tour pack speaker pod. I really like that idea!!
The only thing that worries me is possibly cheap wiring causing an issue… (or worse: a fire 🔥). Great chance it would be just fine.

But I decided to order a similar “extension relocation port” made by Deltran (the original Battery Tender manufacturer). Yes, cutting a mounting hole or some sort of bracket will still be required.
I’ll decide where I want to put these once I have a chance over the holidays. I do have two pigtails (one on each side) so we shall see.

I’ll attach a couple pics of the Deltran mount.

Getting back to your question, again I think you may be limited to a couple choices as mentioned.
Keep us posted if you come up with an idea!
-Brett
IMG_3698.jpegIMG_3701.jpegIMG_3702.jpeg
 
Have you considered cutting the zip tie - pop the side cover off and just put it in there.

Then, when or if you need it, just open and attach.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have multiple bikes. I connect a tender to each whenever I'm not riding. I don't want to remove the side cover before and after each ride. (This also wears out the grommets, resulting in a loose fit.) Mid-frame air deflectors are cheap. I might cave and drill a hole in my left deflector and install the cable below. I like the left side deflector because it's further away from the head pipe than the right deflector. I'm surprised Harley doesn't offer a cable mount in the P&A catalog. Then again, if they did offer one, it would likely be chrome plated and priced $150 or more.


1733161195584.jpeg
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I have multiple bikes. I connect a tender to each whenever I'm not riding. I don't want to remove the side cover before and after each ride. (This also wears out the grommets, resulting in a loose fit.) Mid-frame air deflectors are cheap. I might cave and drill a hole in my left deflector and install the cable below. I like the left side deflector because it's further away from the head pipe than the right deflector. I'm surprised Harley doesn't offer a cable mount in the P&A catalog. Then again, if they did offer one, it would likely be chrome plated and priced $150 or more.


View attachment 129615
I understand your point. I for one don't like drilling unless it is necessary.

As and example, i have a jump start - jus incase. I also purchased an extension cable and ran it up from the battery and it sort of sits right in the middle of the seat where the backrest goes. You can't see it - and, if needed, you just reach between the seat and pull it up.

With that in mind, you might consider running that extension cable the same way - then, plug in if needed. Whatever route you take, enjoy.
 
I have mine coming out the left side cover, it tucks in really well between the passenger seat and handrail, has never come loose when riding.
 
A friend of mine got his trike and his garage on fire because of a battery tender. He lost 2 trikes and had a lot of damage to his garage. The fire marshal told him that they have seen several fires caused by battery tenders that were over 3 years old. He said to replace the battery charger every 2 years to be safe. I have no idea if that is correct, but battery tenders are cheap enough, I'm going to buy a new one! And my friend's insurance did cover the damage, he got 2 new trikes [used] and his garage rebuilt.
 
A friend of mine got his trike and his garage on fire because of a battery tender. He lost 2 trikes and had a lot of damage to his garage. The fire marshal told him that they have seen several fires caused by battery tenders that were over 3 years old. He said to replace the battery charger every 2 years to be safe. I have no idea if that is correct, but battery tenders are cheap enough, I'm going to buy a new one! And my friend's insurance did cover the damage, he got 2 new trikes [used] and his garage rebuilt.
Modern battery tenders are meant to be left on indefinitely and do not cause fires. Invest in a high quality tender, I use only Noco brand tenders and have for years and regularly leave six of them on in rotation in my shop, as does every cycle shop I know of. There is a difference in a battery charger and a battery tender/smart charger. I suspect the fire marshal made that suggestion based on the fact that older chargers use older technology and are not as safe as the newer tenders or smart chargers, and if left on those can overcharge a battery where as the newer ones do not. And as for replacing them every two years, that is nonsense IMHO.

Garage Journal Thread


Battery Tender Plus FAQ.JPG
 
Here in the UK a company called Oxford produce a Smart Charger called the Oximiser which can be left connected 24/7 if required. I have used it for many years on various bikes, recovers and maintains safely any 12v battery.
 
I know of at least one person that purchased a tender for real cheap and wanted to show me, I told I would not be buying one because I didn't trust it. The thing was about the size of a phone charger, about a month later he asked me what brand I recommended because he went to crank his bike and the cheap charger was smoking he said he could smell it before he got to the shed. He got lucky and I reevaluated my tenders also, bought a NOCO.
 
I don't remember the brand but I had longtime parts guy tell me he knew of of several that burnt garages hooked to classic cars.
 
Personally, I will ONLY use Deltran brand battery tenders & accessories….
(Aka: Battery tender junior, battery tender plus, etc.).

I have them on my road king and now my Tri Glide, my son’s Dyna, a larger 3 amp one on the F150 4x4, and even the zero turn in the shed,…. They also make quite a few additional accessories (panel mount connectors, extensions and many other related products).

From what I quickly researched, 3 names came up that had been related to fires:
Garberiel, HTRC C240 & SafPow SPC-42020 and AMPOWSURE ASP-C10S42020
(All seem to be made overseas)
Attached is a screenshot.

IMG_3881.png
 
My personal choice for many years now has been Schumacher battery maintainers. So far they have done what I've needed. i did use Deltran ones for a long time and then I needed a few more as the number of toys grew. I got a deal on Amazon on 2 of the Schumacher ones and have been using them ever since.
 
I plug my Yasuza (spelling ??) battery maintainer on, and keep it plugged in till I get a 100% charge, and unplugg it, and wait a week or two, then replug it back in, all through the winter months, NEVER a problem, for years.

Ronnie
12/12/24
 

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