Newb with float charger question

[jgdusc]

Bought a BX25 last year. Not sure I needed but I wanted it. Since it doesn't see much action, I wanted a maintainer on the battery. Bought one and tried to find a way to attach to battery but didn't see a "good" way to fish the cord to the outside. Noticed the 12v accesory port and decided to buy the adapter to use that making it plug and play. Didn't realize it was only live if ignition on. Any way to remedy this? Looking for ideas. Also any thing else I need to do since it sits for extended periods? I try to remember to crank it once a month. Thought I read something about fuel conditioner? Thanks for any help!

 

[Lil Foot]

Noticed the 12v accesory port and decided to buy the adapter to use that making it plug and play. Didn't realize it was only live if ignition on. Any way to remedy this?

I had the exact same situation on my Rhino, so I just wired the 12v socket direct to the battery, (with a fuse of course) problem solved.

 

[gpreuss]

One lead of the accessory port should go straight to chassis - ground. The other lead will go to the fuse box or ignition switch. Usually the easiest place to get to the battery terminal is the + post of the starter. You can pick up an inline fuse holder at any auto parts store. I'd go from the starter post through the inline fuse to your accessory port positive side (+). I'd use a 10 or 15 amp fuse.
Best of luck - let us know how you make out.

 

[Dan_R_42]

One lead of the accessory port should go straight to chassis - ground. The other lead will go to the fuse box or ignition switch. Usually the easiest place to get to the battery terminal is the + post of the starter. You can pick up an inline fuse holder at any auto parts store. I'd go from the starter post through the inline fuse to your accessory port positive side (+). I'd use a 10 or 15 amp fuse.
Best of luck - let us know how you make out.

I agree use a fuse holder, but get a waterproof holder. Especially if you use you rig to clear snow. I have used waterproof holders for many years.

They are available for blade or glass fuses.


http://www.amazon.com/MAXI-Fuse-Holder-Waterproof-Cover/dp/B00030CPOQ

http://www.delcity.net/store/AGC-Wa...t_1.r_IF1003?gclid=CK3v-_j8urwCFbB9OgodLFsArg

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

I have a Battery Tender

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...qid=1391810953&sr=1-2&keywords=battery+tender

I will probably hook up the permanent cord to the battery, I think it came with 1, but I have 3 atv's also.
Something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...qid=1391810953&sr=1-5&keywords=battery+tender

 

[SteveF]

I have tenders hooked up to a bunch of machines, my garage looks like Christmas when I go in at night. That said, and I don't mean this disrespectfully, but given your reason for purchasing the machine, a dead battery will be the least of your worries.

 

[ibunker]

Battery tender is the way to go, comes with two leads, the clip type and bolt on type, both have in-line fuses. I routed mine through the front grill. I have 5 total tenders, all have kept my batteries at top condition for 3 motorcycles and electric start generator (smaller wall plug type) and the larger one for the tractor. One Harley battery just failed me, looked up when I installed it, 8.5 years, worth every penny.

 

[Dan_R_42]

Another vote for a Battery Tender. I have used them on 2 motorcycles and the Kubota for over twelve years. I have the waterproof version on the Kubota as it is stored under a deck out of the weather but condensation & moisture is a major issue.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITKCE...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6km91b794y_b

 

[skeets]

I guess I ll toss my 3cents in too I replaced the battery in the Harley in 2011,, and you might be thinking,, SOOOO?? well it was an OEM battery in an 2001 Flhtci, and for 10 years I had a tender on it. I don't think that's too bad. Based on that I have tenders on the bike the tractor and I don't have any worries about them dying on me over the winter or long terms of unused, probably the best 30 bucks you ll spend... Just HMO you understand

 

[In Utopia]

I must have got stuck with a dud.
Used it on a motorcycle battery on my stump grinder.
Went to use it one day, wouldn't start. Checked the voltage and it was low.
Popped the caps, and the battery was completely boiled dry.

 

[Dan_R_42]

I must have got stuck with a dud.
Used it on a motorcycle battery on my stump grinder.
Went to use it one day, wouldn't start. Checked the voltage and it was low.
Popped the caps, and the battery was completely boiled dry.

Utopia, just curious. Do you have the actual Battery Tender or a knock-off ?

Tender should not have boiled off all your electrolyte. I guess like anything else it could be a bad unit.

 

[Lil Foot]

I think most tenders will boil off electrolyte if the battery is in poor condition to start with. If it is sulfated, it will not take a full charge, & the tender sees that as a "not-fully-charged" condition & will keep charging even tho the battery will not take any charge, resulting in boiled of electrolyte. I have seen this myself more than once, but it's never happened to me with a new, fully charged battery that goes on the tender immediately.

 

[BadDog]

I've got this one on both my tractors and my motorcycle. So far, very happy.

 

[In Utopia]

Utopia, just curious. Do you have the actual Battery Tender or a knock-off ?

Tender should not have boiled off all your electrolyte. I guess like anything else it could be a bad unit.

Don't remember the brand, but I got it off Amazon, but that was 2 years ago, and I've slept since then, but best I remember it was around $28.
The battery that cooked was about 4 months old if I remember right and it happened sometime during the month of Jan.
Don't know how many days it did this, but when I found it I refilled the battery, put a 2amp charge on it, and it's still going now, but it doesn't seem to hold a charge quite like it should.

 

[In Utopia]

OK, looked in my "spare parts" area and found the charger.
It is a Chinese knock off..............have no idea why I've kept it, lesson learned.

 

[Lil Foot]

It is a Chinese knock off..............have no idea why I've kept it, lesson learned.

Had two of these on the batteries in my fifth wheel that initially put out 13.4V; checked them sometime later and one was putting out 12.0V, and they other was putting out 10.4V. Doesn't appear to have hurt the batteries, I must have caught the problem soon enough, but time will tell.
Lesson learned.

 

[ibunker]

I must have got stuck with a dud.
Used it on a motorcycle battery on my stump grinder.
Went to use it one day, wouldn't start. Checked the voltage and it was low.
Popped the caps, and the battery was completely boiled dry.

Hope you were using the Battery Tender JR. which is 750ma, normal motorcycle size battery charger. Battery Tender listed above for a tractor is 1.25 amp. Using the correct tender for the size battery will NOT boil your battery.

 

[In Utopia]

Hope you were using the Battery Tender JR. which is 750ma, normal motorcycle size battery charger. Battery Tender listed above for a tractor is 1.25 amp. Using the correct tender for the size battery will NOT boil your battery.

Thanks for the wake up call.
I'll see if I find out what the output is.

Again, it was not the real deal, it's a Chinese knockoff.
I just looked, and it is a 600 mA. Actually there is no name on it other then some electrical information and the words AC adapter. More Chinese junk.

 

[jgdusc]

Forgive my tardiness in replying. Weekend from heck and didn't think of it till I got to the peace and quiet of my desk this am.

I bought this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LWVEKS/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I looked at trying to find a route of the battery to the outside for the bolt on leads. Wasn't obvious right off but I will revisit. Didn't go much further after I noticed the accessory port. Just figured it was like the one I wired up for my golf cart ( with inline fuse and fuse block) that runs right to the battery, not through the key switch.

I have tenders hooked up to a bunch of machines, my garage looks like Christmas when I go in at night. That said, and I don't mean this disrespectfully, but given your reason for purchasing the machine, a dead battery will be the least of your worries.

Little concerned about this, no disrespect taken, but what worries should I be worried about.

Thanks all

 

[SteveF]

Bought a BX25 last year. Not sure I needed but I wanted it. Since it doesn't see much action...

I think I was in a bad mood and shouldn't have made the comment. I thought it was pompous to say you didn't know if you needed it but wanted it. I worked a long, long time to be able purchase my BX25. These little tractors are built to be run. Inactivity will cause more deterioration than regular, maintained usage. Sorry if I offended you... it's not my place to judge.