Bike is dead! Would like to jump it with a portable battery

[k1201ltc]

Hi-

I know that some of you will hit me on the head over what I am about to propose but please understand my position.

I have a portable battery - one of those start your car things that you can light up the place and inflate your tires with - and I need to jump the bike battery because its dead.

The bike is always sitting in the parking lot and I can not get power out there - I live in an appartment complex - to charge the battery.

Is it practical to try it? I have a 2005 LT ....

[munson]

Is it practical to try it? I have a 2005 LT ....
I don't see why not. I have jumped mine off my truck before. Just be careful with the big clamps. I have some mini jumper cables I got at O'Reilly's that work great.

[CharlieVT]

Yeah Spiros,
like Munson says, just careful when putting the clamps on the battery terminals. Positive terminal is especially hard to get to without grounding on something at the same time. Wrap a bunch of tape around most of the exposed clamp to minimize accidental gounding. The negative terminal isn't really a concern. If the clamp for the positive terminal is still too big, consider using a smaller jumper to go between the battery and the (+) clamp of you backup battery. HTH and good luck.



Hi-

I know that some of you will hit me on the head over what I am about to propose but please understand my position.

I have a portable battery - one of those start your car things that you can light up the place and inflate your tires with - and I need to jump the bike battery because its dead.

The bike is always sitting in the parking lot and I can not get power out there - I live in an appartment complex - to charge the battery.

Is it practical to try it? I have a 2005 LT ....

[lnowell]

Would one of those pigtail things that come with the trickle battery chargers that bolt to the terminals on the battery work if he figured out how to wire a connector from his car battery? At least he would not have to fight with the actual bike battery terminals each time or even have to raise the seat.

[CharlieVT]

Would one of those pigtail things that come with the trickle battery chargers that bolt to the terminals on the battery work if he figured out how to wire a connector from his car battery? At least he would not have to fight with the actual bike battery terminals each time or even have to raise the seat.

That would be not much different than plugging into the forward power outlet. You can run a charger through those wires but if you try to run cranking amperes through it you will blow fuses or melt wires. Charging is one thing, jumping a dead battery for cranks amps is another. For jumping you need to get a heavy gauge wire to the battery terminal.

[KMC1]

Just a head up, but my ABS pump got shorted out from a bad ground wire last spring. I personally would not recommend putting jumpers down in there. I like the idea of adding pig tails that you can connect outside the bike.
Also, just a thought, but what about taking the battery out and charging it, then just putting it back in tomorrow AM?
Just a thought.

[CharlieVT]

Just a head up, but my ABS pump got shorted out from a bad ground wire last spring. I personally would not recommend putting jumpers down in there. I like the idea of adding pig tails that you can connect outside the bike.
Also, just a thought, but what about taking the battery out and charging it, then just putting it back in tomorrow AM?
Just a thought.

Removing the battery to charge it is a good idea. Best one yet.

[BMWphreak]

Just a head up, but my ABS pump got shorted out from a bad ground wire last spring. I personally would not recommend putting jumpers down in there. I like the idea of adding pig tails that you can connect outside the bike.
Also, just a thought, but what about taking the battery out and charging it, then just putting it back in tomorrow AM?
Just a thought.


Leave it to a mechanical engineer... ;)

[KMC1]

"ah thaynk yoo... thaynk yoo... I'll be here all week" :D

[2Wheelroadtrip]

I have a pickup that rarely gets started. I need to move it more often in the winter to clean up the snow. I used to have to put the charger on it or jump start it just about every time I wanted to use it. I bought a small solar panel that plugs into the cig lighter. I think it cost about $25. You could change the end or use an adaptor to plug it into your bike and it should be ready to go at any time. The panel has an automatic shut off so that it doesn't over charge the battery. You could just unplug it and toss it into the top or side case and ride. The only problem might be that some punk might rip it off just for kicks. I guess it depends on your hood.

[CharlieVT]

So Spiros,

got that bike started yet?

I really like the idea of a solar trickle charger. I bet you could tuck that in behind the windshield or under the toprack so it was pretty unobtrusive and thus not too inviting to a snitch.

http://www.nextag.com/solar-trickle-charger/search-html

And how about making it up to Vermont in May for Ride Vermont 2008?

[k1201ltc]

CharlieVT-

You know I am not handy at all. At best I can jump it but I have not gotten around to it as of yet.

I am hoping this weekend to get it done.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

If I blow up the bike in trying to jump it, I will post a follow-up.

[k1201ltc]

I am on my way outside to jump it.

I charged the portable battery....

Wish me luck!!!! I really want to ride today !!!!

[k1201ltc]

I am on my way outside to jump it.

I charged the portable battery....

Wish me luck!!!! I really want to ride today !!!!


The BABY is purrrrrrrrr-------ing outside !!!!!

Oh yeah yeah baby! Who is your daddy ??????

I am getting out of here in short folks !!!!! Places to see valleys to explore!!!!

[CharlieVT]

The BABY is purrrrrrrrr-------ing outside !!!!!
Oh yeah yeah baby! Who is your daddy ??????
I am getting out of here in short folks !!!!! Places to see valleys to explore!!!!

Way to go Spiros. Ride on.
Daddyo, you cats are so crrrazzy!