Ready Kilowatt wants to know...

[CTHalk]

Ok, it's actually me, that wants to know. I have read a ton of posts on Deltran battery tenders, gasmat, acid, gel, etc. batteries... My question is still unanswered. I have a 2000 RT-P with gel batteries. I have a brand new Detran battery tender II I just bought. (My baby Deltran croaked). The dealer said it is the same as the BMW charger (and it does say it is gel battery usable). I want to know, can I charge my bike by using the auxiliry power socket without frying my electronics? The batteries are easily starting the bike now, no ABS faults. Or do I have to go under the covers and put on the little pigtail that comes with the charger? Can I put the pigtail on the front battery (which is actually accessable) and charge to that? Or should I just take a pill and sleep? H.

[wmubrown]

I charge my K1100LT through the BMW accessory socket with a Battery Tender II with no problems. I believe the only issue using the accessory socket for charging is on the canbus systems and your bike doesn't have that.

[billyfields]

You won't fry the electronics. The tender will at best (worst?) offer a marginally higher voltage than the alternator at high RPM. Automotive electronics are designed to sustain voltage spikes far in excess of anything that could occur under normal operating conditions and the battery tender is by design "tender" in terms of voltage provision. Further, if the ignition is off then the only "open" circuit aside from the battery (guessing here) would be the current drawn to sustain the CMOS RAM on the various management systems. These circuits are well defended from over voltage. So charge away McDuff. :twirl

[PAULBACH]

Like the commercial says, "plug it in, plug it in." That is how I charge all my motorcycles.

[bmwmick]

Ok, it's actually me, that wants to know. I have read a ton of posts on Deltran battery tenders, gasmat, acid, gel, etc. batteries... My question is still unanswered. I have a 2000 RT-P with gel batteries. I have a brand new Detran battery tender II I just bought. (My baby Deltran croaked). The dealer said it is the same as the BMW charger (and it does say it is gel battery usable). I want to know, can I charge my bike by using the auxiliry power socket without frying my electronics? The batteries are easily starting the bike now, no ABS faults. Or do I have to go under the covers and put on the little pigtail that comes with the charger? Can I put the pigtail on the front battery (which is actually accessable) and charge to that? Or should I just take a pill and sleep? H.

You'll be OK just plugging into the acc socket for the main battery but you will probably have to install a pigtail for the front (AUX) battery. I believe is is disconnected from the main battery unless the engine is running.

BTW, you are really dating yourself with that Reddy Kilowatt title. :)
Here is the history......
http://www.insulators.com/go-withs/reddy.htm

[rgvilla]

I run my battery tender right thru the aux socket and haven't had a problem in two winters. This winter I haven't had to use it as I have been riding so much due to the warm weather:)

[41107]

aux. battery is independent from main battery exept when running bike then both get charged by altenator.when trickle charging plug into either sockets.

[CTHalk]

I charged my 2000 RT-P through the rear power plug with the Detran Plus. It worked just fine. Bike still runs. Thanks for the tips, I love this forum! Hal