Battery Bug Installed on Nomad

[metalman]

I’ve been wondering about the condition of the original (2006) battery in my Nomad. Over the past year, the trip odometer and clock have reset themselves a few times during start-up. I assume it’s due to a momentary drop in battery voltage. I installed Battery Bugs (battery failure warming system) on my two Goldwings and feel a lot better about the possibility of being stranded with a dead or failing battery.

However, mounting this roughly two inch square meter on the Nomad presented a problem because there is no fairing or logical place to mount it within sight when riding the bike. Since the Battery Bug has a low charge, high charge, and replace battery audible warning, I placed it on the left side cover so it is not visible when riding the bike. I can check the meter when I get on or off the bike, but it requires bending to see the display clearly. It would be easier to see on the other side cover, because of the way the bike leans on the side stand, but the cable didn’t exit the Battery Bug on the best side for that mounting location. After starting the engine twice, the Battery Bug indicates that my battery is 32 percent healthy. It will continue to monitor the battery health at each start and display an average reading. The alarm will sound at 10 percent.

The Battery Bug is attached to the side cover with adhesive backed Velcro. I drilled two 7/64-inch diameter holes next to each other in the edge of the side cover to secure the electrical cable with a small wire tie. The few feet of extra cable are tucked into the back of the side cover. Ring connectors on the ends of the cable are attached to each battery terminal.

The Battery Bug displays battery voltage and battery health in percent alternately, whether the engine is running or not. The amount of current this meter draws from the battery is probably as much as a digital wrist watch.

I bought the Battery Bug through Amazon.com for about $50, including postage. They are available at some auto parts stores. http://www.argusanalyzers.com/