Battery Tender & Power Plug

[Johnmala]

Apologies, as I'd imagine this already has been covered?

I thought I could use my battery tender directly with the accessory power plug, but it doesn't work...

Has anyone else run into this problem?

Thanks,
John M

[okimic]

Try this one

I think they cover your question.

[Johnmala]

Okimic,

Thanks for the link. I've been trying to use the same plug adaptor that I bought along with my heated vest - I think I've run into a polarity issue.

I've just ordered the adaptor from Powerlet - Hope this works.

Thanks again,
John M

[oldndumb]

I'm taking your question to mean that you have unsuccesfully tried to charge your battery through the accessory socket, and that you are not questioning doing it that way.

The accessory socket has to properly grounded and be connected to the positive side of your battery. There could be a ground problem, but if your lights are ok odds are that the accy socket ground is good also. The 12vdc current is fused at position 6 along with heated grips if you have them.

Not understanding the symptom "it doesn't work", I suggest:
1) Start at the battery and verify that it is capable of accepting a charge and that the connections are clean and secure.
2) Then measure the Battery Tender output.
3) If that is ok, I would check the fuse and the connections at the rear of the accy plug.
4) If those are ok, I would hook up the charger and see what I was getting at the battery.
5) If that was ok, I would have to think that I screwed up at step 1 and the battery has bought the farm and needs to be replaced.

[oldndumb]

Originally Posted by Johnmala

Okimic,

Thanks for the link. I've been trying to use the same plug adaptor that I bought along with my heated vest - I think I've run into a polarity issue.

I've just ordered the adaptor from Powerlet - Hope this works.

Thanks again,
John M

Do you really think that manufacturers swap connector polarity depending on the accessory? Think of the chaos.

The center is positive. the only exception I have ever come across is in some boat electrical systems.

BTW, I think you would have noticed a zappy kind of sound if you had crossed polarity at the plug.
The Battery Tender would also have given an indication of crossed polarity as explained in the instructions.

[okimic]

Originally Posted by oldndumb

BTW, I think you would have noticed a zappy kind of sound if you had crossed polarity at the plug.

Don't forget about the 'magic smoke'

Never good to see that.

[Johnmala]

OnD,

Let me try to be a little more precise:

The battery charges just fine when I hook up the battery tender directly to the battery, using the standard leads – just hate taking the seat off every time and I’d rather not let the cable dangle under the seat when I’m riding.

I know the accessory power adaptor works as my electric vest heats up nicely. It’s just when I try to use the cable adaptor (BMW – SAE), which came with the vest, that I run into a problem. That’s why I’m thinking that maybe the polarity in the cable adaptor is switched.

I've ordered a new cable adaptor from Powerlet. We'll see if this works.

Thanks again,
John M.

[oldndumb]

Originally Posted by Johnmala

OnD,

Let me try to be a little more precise:

The battery charges just fine when I hook up the battery tender directly to the battery, using the standard leads – just hate taking the seat off every time and I’d rather not let the cable dangle under the seat when I’m riding.

I know the accessory power adaptor works as my electric vest heats up nicely. It’s just when I try to use the cable adaptor (BMW – SAE), which came with the vest, that I run into a problem. That’s why I’m thinking that maybe the polarity in the cable adaptor is switched.

I've ordered a new cable adaptor from Powerlet. We'll see if this works.

Thanks again,
John M.

From what you say, the battery accepts a charge, the accy circuit integrity is good, and you have isolated the problem to the SAE to BMW (Powerlet actually) adaptor.

You don't say anything about blown fuses, but the Battery Tender reverse polarity protection could be preventing that.

So, I have to wonder why you are opting for another adaptor in lieu of just putting a Powerlet outlet on your charger lead and be done with it?