Battery tethers.

[sikatri]

Who uses these and how do you set one up so it’s easy to connect and disconnect? This is for my MINI, but it is one that could be used on motorcycles.

 

[sikatri]

The rusty allen key hasn’t had a lot use. I do have a bunch allen key sets, but seat removal every time is something I’d like to avoid. Any pigtail setups available?

 

[Rocky]

I gave up using my Battery Tender over five years ago only because I saw the Optimate unit and liked it better because it offers more functions than the standard BT.
I've been using the BT for over 20 years with good service. It was the first generation unit to come out back then.
I bought several pigtails for the Optimate and have one on every bike. It makes topping up so much easier.

 

[sikatri]

I gave up using my Battery Tender over five years ago only because I saw the Optimate unit and liked it better because it offers more functions than the standard BT.
I've been using the BT for over 20 years with good service. It was the first generation unit to come out back then.
I bought several pigtails for the Optimate and have one on every bike. It makes topping up so much easier.

View attachment 45044

Does it come with pigtails?

 

[Rocky]

Two different pigtails - clamps and screw-on type.
If you want more they can be bought separately.

 

[sikatri]

Two different pigtails - clamps and screw-on type.
If you want more they can be bought separately.

View attachment 45045

Is the connector fixed to anything in particular? Or is it free?

 

[CarlS]

I, too. have pigtails for each of our bikes. the ones that are screwd on to the battery terminals.

 

[Rocky]

Is the connector fixed to anything in particular? Or is it free?

I don't understand your question or what you mean by connector.
The pigtails plug into the cord on the left. The other cord obviously plugs into a wall plug.
The charging unit can sit free, hang up by a cord or wire, or be screwed to a wall.

 

[sikatri]

I don't understand your question or what you mean by connector.
The pigtails plug into the cord on the left. The other cord obviously plugs into a wall plug.
The charging unit can sit free, hang up by a cord or wire, or be screwed to a wall.

The part that plugs into the charger. Not the terminal connections which are fixed to the battery posts. The black connector in the pic. Does it dangle free or does it need to be secured?

 

[Rocky]

The pigtail on the far right in the picture is screwed onto the battery terminals.
It has a weather proof cap and is cable tied (whatever) to the bike in a convenient place so it's easily accessible without removing the seat or a side cover.
This is the only picture I have of one of my pigtails. It's under the seat on one of my Honda's - but the seat is quickly and easily removed.

 

[sikatri]

The pigtail on the far right in the picture is screwed onto the battery terminals.
It has a weather proof cap and is cable tied (whatever) to the bike in a convenient place so it's easily accessible without removing the seat or a side cover.
This is the only picture I have of one of my pigtails. It's under the seat on one of my Honda's - but the seat is quickly and easily removed.

View attachment 45047

Thanks, I think I got it. Doesn’t need to be strapped to anything, but can be.

 

[CarlS]

That is correct. Some of mine are strapped; some aren't.

 

[Rocky]

You got it. The pigtail doesn't have to be tied down, but that depends on where it lies on the bike.
You don't want it flopping around in the wind and possibly damaging itself or paint.
You will easily figure it out if you install one.

 

[sikatri]

The Optimate 3 seems like a good buy. Do I need to check what battery is installed or will this be the right one regardless? My car one has a selector for battery type.

 

[Greyfell]

Optimate moto chargers

The Optimate 3 is not recommended for Lithium batteries. Site says it is ideal for standard, AGM, and Gel-cell lead-acid batteries. There is an Optimate Lithium for $1 dollar more. They have other options too.

 

[sikatri]

Optimate moto chargers

The Optimate 3 is not recommended for Lithium batteries. Site says it is ideal for standard, AGM, and Gel-cell lead-acid batteries. There is an Optimate Lithium for $1 dollar more. They have other options too.

The battery is Lithium then? Perhaps time to look...I getting idea I won’t know until I look.

 

[CarlS]

I doubt that it is a lithium battery. Lithium batteries are a good bit smaller and a lot lighter. There are a couple of battery chargers on the market that can recognize a lithium battery and safely charge it.

I use this one for my lithium battery.

OptiMate 1 DUO – OptiMate

Battery Chargers & Accessories

optimate1.com

 

[sikatri]

Looks like the previous owner had some battery charging system. The pigtails are still there.

 

[sikatri]

The battery is “Platinum Series Megaboost CTX12-BS 12V10Ah 180CCA”. I couldn’t get it fully lifted out. I didn’t see any notation about it being a lithium battery. Is this just a standard battery or do I need to lift it out completely to check what it is?

 

[sikatri]

I suspect I’ll have to replace this cable anyway.