Battery Bug

[Dave]

I was wondering if it'd be worth putting on my bike? Seems like a good idea. Any comments?

http://www.argusanalyzers.com/batter...analyzers.html

[Yellow Jacket]

If you want to keep your battery in good shape and make it last as long as possible I would suggest that you get the Schumacher Battery Maintainer. It may be called the Battery Companion now. It's part number SEM-1562A. You can get them from WalMart for about $20 the last time I checked. Keep it plugged in everytime the bike is parked. I've got two of them, one for my Nomad and one for my car.

Here's the info on the Shumacher website:

http://store.schumachermart.com/sem-1562a.html

WalMart also has a voltage monitor that plugs into a cigarette lighter plug that shows the voltage. When I'm riding I plug one into my power outlet and I can monitor the output of the battery or the alternator. I think it cost about $15 or so.

[dennisbailey]

I have battery companion/Schumack and love it. I got it as a gift from my brother who rides an H/D and keeps one on his all the time. First thing I do when I pull into the garage is hook it up. Cheap investment to maintain your battery.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Hey guys, I have a question about hooking up a battery maintainer. Do you have to take the seat off when you hook it up? I don't see any other way of doing it.

My bike is new although the bike was built in November 2007 and the bike is an '08 which I purchased as a leftover April 1, 2009. I normally ride my bike almost every day. So I guess my question on that is, do you need to have your battery hooked up if you ride it every day.

Gene

[Yellow Jacket]

The Schumacher comes with two quick disconnect cables. One cable has two ring terminals on the end. You can attach that to the battery and leave the other end sticking out where you can get to it. That way you only have to take the seat off once to install the cable. The other cable has jumper cable type clamps on the end. This cable is great for cars.

I have a power outlet mounted in between the handlebar and the windshield that is connected to the accessory plugs in the headlight bucket. This is hot all the time. I took the cable with the ring terminals and cut the terminals off. I then soldered a cigarette lighter type plug on the end of this cable. I merely have to plug this into the power outlet every time I park.

Another advantage to the battery maintainer is that it helps to prevent sulfation in the battery. This is what causes most batteries to die an early death.

[blowndodge]

I follow Bob's every word!!! Mine is the same charger and hooked up daily!!

[Top Cat]

I have the Shumacker also. I use the quick disconnect hooked to the battery and sticking out just over the left side cover.
The only time I use it is over the winter when the bike is in storage.

[schoeney]

I have the Battery Tender JR. It also has the lead that sticks out under the seat...so no need to mess w/seat...just hook it up when you pull in the garage..2 seconds. The lead tucks in nicely out of view when it is not in use.

So you just need to remove the seat at initial install..that took all of 5 minutes to remove seat...5 minutes to hook up leads and 5 minutes to reinstall seat. That is a non mechanic like me doing it!

Sounds like Shumaker is similar set up....but cheaper cost. I paid about $30 for my BTJ.

[dogdoc]

I have the wally world one and use it daily, quick plug-ins under the seat on my right.

[macmac]

Yup me too wally world Shumaker and the 2 prong connector exits ahdead of the battery, behind cly 2 with the other hoses.

I have a round black plastic cap jammed on the 2 prong connector when I ride. You can't tell that connector is there.

My bike is plugged in any time I am not riding.. So is my van and car..

I see no quick price for the Battery Bug.. If it is more than 15 bucks the wally world voltmeter that can share any ciggy butt socket is probably better.

The newer type are illuminated at night, they read out to hundredths, and have codes green, yellow and red lights easy to see at night. There is a percent gauge as well.

I have several of these DCV meters, and used them since 1999.

[dougster]

I have the Battery Tender, Jr. and use it all the time. Great product.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Guess that answers my questions. Guess I will be going to Wal-Mart and pick one up. I do appreciate the help with my questions.

[caddman11]

+1 Battery Tender

[rksaw]

I've also got the Battery Tender and use it constantly.

[macmac]

The "BT", BT Jr, and sghumaker all work well.. What you want is a rate in amps of NO more than 1.5 AMPS. The BT Jr is 1/2 that, and so safe for on ALL the TIME.... The shumaker is auto float, and I bought one today to replace one that failed and it has sulfation pulse mode.. and for just under 20 bucks!