Modern Vespa

as it's getting cold, I finally got around to putting the pig tail (SAE plug lead from the battery to the battery charger) on the GT. After trying any number
of ways to snake it thru the side of the floor boards (no go, there appears to be a a wall between the battery compartment and the side) I finally went for
pulling it back thru the underseat compartment. Now I just lift the seat,
pull the bucket out, and then grab the plug- not elegant but it works. It's also out of the way unless you really need it. I'm beginning to think it might
have just been simpler to pull the battery but then it wouldn't be available for those few golden warm days that will come. In any event, if the bike isn't getting ridden as much, particularly if you live in a place where it gets really cold, you might want to give it a try. Tenders' do a really nice job of keeping the battery topped of when you are not able to ride as often as you would like. And remember, STA-BIL is your friend, 'just saying...........

What does a battery tender do?

How do I know if I need one?

How much do they cost?

Battery Tender
http://tinyurl.com/5by4f

The Harbor Freight automatic battery float charger http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42292 is on the low end of the price spectrum, normally selling for $7.99, and on sale for 6.99 occasionally. It's a battery maintenance charger rated for batteries of between 5 and 125 Amp-hours. It features regulated output to prevent overcharge which boils away battery electrolyte.

I picked one for the coming winter season for the scooter, and realized that my cage (a 2000 Passat that's been driven about once per month since I bought the scoot) needs it too. Looks like a Summer solution for the cage, and a Winter solution for the scooter.

The charger comes with clips for battery attachment. No ring lugs or plug-in connectors are supplied.

Test results: When hooked to my car battery (partially discharged after a month of sitting), it started pumping out 550mA with the battery at around 12.25V. Over 2 weeks, the current has tapered down to around 25mA with the battery at 12.80V. This is probably near what the car draws turned off.

It's not a fast charger intended to get you started, but can fully charge a larger scoot-size motorcycle battery overnight.

Despite the rock-bottom price, this charger does a good job of maintaining charge without overcharging.

How do you know if you need one of them things?

Will my scooter not start in May when the ice gone on the roads oes away?

Is it the gas or should I add diesel or kerosene in the tank because it won't freeze?

Do they make solar ones?

I'm intrigued. That puppy works well on scoot-car batteries you say? A handy device for the price. I wonder if it shortens battery life compared to a more expensive charger. I need one this winter but don't want to lose an arm over one.

Richj is drinking again

That the el-cheapo Harbor Freight charger might overcharge batteries was my fear. So I tested it (up to my old Engineering tricks here -- I've designed more than a few solar-powered and AC battery chargers in my career's youth). After charging the battery, the charge current tapered off to a maintenance rate of a few mA - no overcharge here. The price is great, and the one I tested works quite well.

No, he's just getting the last round of fishing before winter hits.

I just bought a TecMate Optimate 4 Battery Charger for $61.95 and I will be able to plug this right into the Powerlet (using a Powerlet to SAE adapter) to keep the battery at full charge at all times when the bike is not in use. They also have a cool Optimate Compact Wall Bracket that I got that will mount next to the bike right on the wall so it will take less than 10 seconds to plug it in after a ride. I think this is the best battery charger you can get for the money. You can also save some money and get the TecMate Optimate 3 Battery Charger. From what I have read and heard these are a little better than the Battery Tender.





Now OptiMate 4 also has the following new features :
Maximum output current increased to 0,8A without increasing energy consumption
48 hour time limit on stages up to the first of the cyclic tests for battery drain to avoid wasting time and energy on batteries with a shorted-out cell
19 possible LED indications displayed on 10 LEDs on the stunning new control panel
5 possible results of the cyclic hourly tests for power drain /retention are displayed on a combination of green, yellow & red TEST LEDs
IP64 weatherproof sealed enclosure with built-in mounting option (replaceable if damaged for example by over-tightening a fixing screw)
New cable bushings avoid insulation stress in ultra-cold temperatures
New SAE weatherproof connections.

I have used this charger for about three years, works great, and when I get an internet coupon, it's $4.99.......

I got the Battery Tender Jr - which is great. It comes with a couple different connector options - clips and permanent connectors. I put on the permanent ones and have a little wire hanging out the bottom of my scoot (with the cover on it), where I plug it into the AC adapter. Its around $40 and I got it at the motorcycle shop in Beverly. Make sure to get the 12v version.

I should get me one of those charger things. Right now my battery is too weak to start the scoot. I'm having to jump start it in the morning with my bulldozer. seems to work, although the battery does smoke a bit when I connect the jumper cables. Do you think this will hurt the scooter. I can always use the kickstarter, but the last time i did, it cracked the aluminum case thing, which rattled alot, so I took it off. Do you need it for anything other than keeping mud from clogging up the belt and CRT stuff?

Someone on here posted this link awhile back. I've bought a bunch from here. If you buy 2,they are 19.00 and change each. best prive that I've seen. They work great on cars also. http://www.pacificbattery.com/charger.html

I'd take care of the case - it isn't *JUST* for protecting those things from dust and dirt. Bits of grit can wreak havoc in there and liquids/slippery substances would also turn the belt system into a sham (if potentially on a more temporary scale).

Alright, stupid question coming up here.

The battery in my Fly 50 - it's a 12v battery, right?

I am picking up some fuel stabilizer this weekend ready for the colder weather layup and planned on getting a Battery Tender Jr. at the same time, but know that come in 6v and 12 v versions.

Am I high? Where is your dang battery? Mine is on the floorboard in between my feet. I just unscrew that cover thing and hook the battery tender to it. What's this going over the hills and thru the woods to the battery compartment? Am I doing it wrong?

yup, floor boards, but I try to keep my bikes plugged in when ever I'm not riding them, particularly if they are going to be sitting for a while. As a result, I try to hide the plug in an out of the way place that I can still get access to. Given the bodywork on a Vespa, that's not quite as easy as on other bikes I've owned.

To an earlier question: a battery will naturally discharge as it sits. As it does,
the chemical composition changes making it more prone to freezing. Should that happens it can spew battery acid all over, not pretty and decidedly not fun. That of course is the worst case, more likely your battery will just run lower which will tend to shorten it's life (hence the name?). My experience has been when a battery fails its never in your driveway but out of cell phone range in a driving rain. Given that, I change them out about every three years and keep them on a tender. Besides, you can use that little plug for other useful things like heated vests and heated gloves. Nothing feels better on a late fall ride than heated gloves!

Ahhh. I thought maybe you were trying to get to your battery via the exhaust or something.

That does make sense, but I ride mine every day, weather permitting. lately it's been in the 30s and that is not permitting to me. Now...everyone else can do as they like, and I have seen more people out on them in really crazy weather, but I will not be that person.

That's great! Ordered mine just now

Yes, your batter is a 12V Might say in your owners manual, but either way, not a stupid question... it's a SAFE question, so you don't mess up your goods. Always better to ask.