Battery tender

8855 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by PeTeT, Sep 29, 2020

themightye

Discussion Starter · Jul 15, 2019

Has anyone attached the connector to their bikes for a battery tender. With so little space I’m trying to figure out how to leave one on the bike without taking off the seat each time. Pictures would help. Thanks in advance.

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topolino

· #2 · Jul 15, 2019 (Edited)

themightye said:
Has anyone attached the connector to their bikes for a battery tender. With so little space I’m trying to figure out how to leave one on the bike without taking off the seat each time. Pictures would help. Thanks in advance.

You can connect a charger to the DDA plug under the seat. The lead that Tecmate sell is compatible with the Ducati recommended "Skyrich" charger or an Optimate lithium charger. I have routed the tender lead up into the compartment under the seat hump to save me having to unbolt the seat to gain access to it. As and when the dealer needs to connect your bike to diagnostics they simply unplug the charging/tender lead from the DDA plug on the loom and plug their computer in. When finished just remind them to reconnect the charging lead to the DDA plug afterwards before they replace the seat. If you wish to mount the lead into the compartment under the seat hump/pad, you will need to remove the pillion strap and then the seat compartment itself to raise it off the subframe just enough to feed the lead through the holes where the strap bolts through to the subframe.

Check here for pictures of my install and hope this helps.

https://www.facebook.com/V4SUnica/photos/rpp.478618345986755/649988832183038/?type=3&theater

Oh and this is the lead you will need

https://www.facebook.com/V4SUnica/photos/a.478631212652135/648584742323447/?type=3&theater

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themightye

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 15, 2019

topolino said:
You can connect a charger to the DDA plug under the seat. The lead that Tecmate sell is compatible with the Ducati recommended "Skyrich" charger or an Optimate lithium charger. I have routed the tender lead up into the compartment under the seat hump to save me having to unbolt the seat to gain access to it. As and when the dealer needs to connect your bike to diagnostics they simply unplug the charging/tender lead from the DDA plug on the loom and plug their computer in. When finished just remind them to reconnect the charging lead to the DDA plug afterwards before they replace the seat. If you wish to mount the lead into the compartment under the seat hump/pad, you will need to remove the pillion strap and then the seat compartment itself to raise it off the subframe just enough to feed the lead through the holes where the strap bolts through to the subframe.

Check here for pictures of my install and hope this helps.

https://www.facebook.com/V4SUnica/photos/rpp.478618345986755/649988832183038/?type=3&theater

Oh and this is the lead you will need

https://www.facebook.com/V4SUnica/photos/a.478631212652135/648584742323447/?type=3&theater

Freaking awesome response to my post. I have the exact part, thanks to you it’s looks like I have a solution. I saw the pictures, awesome and thanks...

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playersnoopy

· #4 · Jul 15, 2019

I use my 3amp charger/maintainer to the SAE plug the bike comes w/ and works fine.

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topolino

· #5 · Jul 16, 2019

themightye said:
Freaking awesome response to my post. I have the exact part, thanks to you it’s looks like I have a solution. I saw the pictures, awesome and thanks...

You're welcome, glad to be of help.

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themightye

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 16, 2019

playersnoopy said:
I use my 3amp charger/maintainer to the SAE plug the bike comes w/ and works fine.

My bike did not come with a SAE connector. I asked and they’d said there was no space for it.

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topolino

· #7 · Jul 16, 2019

themightye said:
My bike did not come with a SAE connector. I asked and they’d said there was no space for it.

An SAE connector is a generic name for the type of connector Ducati use on their wiring looms. If you buy the lead I linked you to earlier, it will connect straight onto your DDA plug (SAE connector) under your seat, no problem. If your dealer tells you otherwise he is talking nonsense! There is plenty of space, trust me.

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playersnoopy

· #8 · Jul 16, 2019

themightye said:
My bike did not come with a SAE connector. I asked and they’d said there was no space for it.

Interesting; maybe it's just for the V4S with the lithium battery?

But check your owner's manual for the one under the seat.

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PeTeT

· #9 · Sep 29, 2020 (Edited)

(Edit: Oops, didn't realise how old this thread is until after I posted. But this might interest somebody...)

Just an alternative (picture below)...the DDA conversion cable is a very convenient and easy solution. I also got the idea from Topolino (thank you!) some months ago. I originally mounted mine within that rear seat cover but decided to have it resting in the left tail void because it was more convenient for me. You don't need to unbolt the tail assembly for this. Just take the seat off to poke it through. I got the spiral wrap from an electronics supply shop (Jaycar for Aus people), the smallest size, 3mm.

My dealer had installed the SAE pigtail (that comes with the supplied charger for the V4S) directly on the battery and dangling out the front. But I found it interfered a little bit with the steering because in that location it becomes trapped between fork and airbox.

A problem I had was I somehow managed to blow the fuse on that DDA circuit. No idea what I did, it's a 7.5A fuse. I had actually flattened the battery during an afternoon playing with the TFT so connected the Ducati charger. It didn't charge overnight so lead me to go out and buy a bigger Lithium charger (which worked after I replaced the fuse) but I don't know at what point I blew that fuse. Ultimately when I had a bit of time - and was doing some other cabling on the v4 - I decided to not use the DDA port and instead run a dedicated 16AWG cable to the tail. I spliced (soldered) it into an Optimate O-11 heavy duty SAE cable. My fear with the DDA port was that I don't know what other electronics I would be losing if I blew the fuse again (not altogether unlikely since I don't know how I did it the first time). So opted for belts and braces. But in the owners manual Ducati does reference the DDA port as a valid charging point so there should no problem.

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