Warning Trickle Charger?

[RT6]

Hi,
I just picked up a 2000 Interstate.
Looking over the bike I noticed the leads for a trickle charger. There is a WARNING label on the lead, Use with fused trickle charger only.
I usually use Deltran Battery Tender JR's on my bikes.
Can I use a JR without harming the bike or do I need a different charger?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Jess from VA]

I think the Battery Tender Jr's fuse is in the pigtail, not the charger.

If your existing pigtail does not have a fuse, swap it for a fused one.  I've used multiple BT Jrs for many years on multiple bikes and other things, and have never blown a fuse, but they are still a good idea.  Fire is always a possibility with these things.

You can buy extra pigtails and extensions for BT Jrs without buying a whole new unit.

http://www.batterytender.com/        (but Amazon is the place to buy for best prices)  

[mark81]

I think its more of a warning not to plug in heated gear. Either way I'd swap for a fused pigtail. the deltran ones seem to be a higher guage wire than others I've seen.

[MarkT]

Maybe not real relevant but I've wired all my bikes with a plug-in for Gerbing-style heated gear (actually Warm N Safe but they use the same plugs) fused high, I think it's 30 amps IIRC.  I put corresponding plugs on several chargers. So the fuses won't protect the chargers; they need their own internal fusing. Or a smaller inline fuse on their pigtails. If there's a short to ground on the circuit on the bikes, that will blow the big fuses.  It's certainly convenient to have an easy-access plug for the chargers rather than pulling the seats. And of course convenient to hook up the Warm N Safe gear.

[hal47]

Mark I wear liner and gloves and I use a 10amp fuse, it going to take a large short to blow a 30 amp,I have heard of people getting burnt when the liner short out, gerbing had a recall on some liners because of that. Just my 2 cents

[Pete]

All battery chargers of any type should be fused, period.

The reason is that a battery can dead short internally and put the charger under max load.

Then either the fuse blows or the battery explodes or melts or arcs to the vehicle trying to start fire.

Blowing the fuse is the best that can happen, everything else can ruin you day.

Been there, done that, do not need to see a replay.

[..]

Then either the fuse blows or the battery explodes or melts or arcs to the vehicle trying to start fire.


Been there, done that, do not need to see a replay.

Me too 

[Pete]

Then either the fuse blows or the battery explodes or melts or arcs to the vehicle trying to start fire.


Been there, done that, do not need to see a replay.

Me too 

And it is an ugly event .

[MarkT]

I'll cut it in half.  Don't need to support that much power.  My usual chargers are 6amp at max power. Not sure what the heated gear draws.