lighter

You know that little box thats used to hold a security chain well the PO used it to install a cigarett lighter (he was really into the cigar thing) well I was going to take it out when my wife thought of a real good idea. Why not use it to re-charge my cell phone. I figure why not I'll just have to be carefull of the cord. Oh sorry they are called auxilary power connections now.

 

I relocated my ignition switch to where the seat lock was. (just felt like tinkering) That left me with a hole in my dash. Since my buddy's V65 came with a cigarette lighter from the factory, I figured... why the hell not?

I liked it so much, that I put one in my riding mower!

 

I would think that should you ever need it would be good to use if your battery ever died. No need for battery cables. Or for that blender to make margaretas as your going down the road.

 

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James, I dont recomend jumping these bikes as you could damage the charging system by doing so.

 

James, I dont recomend jumping these bikes as you could damage the charging system by doing so.

 

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Yep, I always thought that was one thing they should have included

 

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I've jump started my bike a few times direct from a car battery - no issues.
Just keep in mind it's a WAY bigger battery and can overload your systems quick, so never never never try jumping from a running car/truck. Just using the battery seems to be OK though.
And jumping bike-to-bike is never a problem from what I can tell as long as you're following the standard safety precautions...

 

what about using a jump box? Mastercraft eliminator for example. are they harmful??

 

Folks, an electrical load will only pull as much amperage as it needs, no more, no less. I could hook up my beast to the biggest 12 volt battery on the planet and it wouldn't hurt it one bit. Over voltage is a killer however. Thankfully the automotive industry decided to use a standard way back in the 60s (yup, there were still oddball MG's running around with positive ground back then). Jumpstarting will not hurt your bike provided you follow some simple precautions.
1. NEVER hook up a vehical that is running! (Excellent point Altus).
2. Connect the positive leads from the dead battery to the jump vehicle/power cell.
3. Connect the negative jumper from the dead battery to a good chassis connection on the jump vehicle (straight to the contacts with you power cell guys, sorry).
4. Have the jump vehicle start up at this point. This will not harm our older machines (the potential difference has been brought to a common point earlier when we connected the two NON-running vehicles together) but some modern vehicle manufacturers specify that under no circumstances should their product be jumped. Wonder what they have planned when the battery dies on your newer vehicle in the middle of nowhere.
5. Raise the RPM's on the running vehicle up over 2500 rpm or so so that the charging system is activated and providing charging current. Most vehicles will only need to have the throttle up done once and then you should be able to let the rpm's drop. You will hear the idle speed being regulated on the more modern cars (late 70's on) as the load from the dead battery starts taxing the charging system.
6. Attempt to start the dead vehicle. It may take a few minutes for the jump to build up enough power in the dead battery before the dead vehicle's ignition system will function so be prepared to idle for 5 or 10 minutes (this typically applies to cars so disreguard if your jumping a bike).
7. Once the dead vehicle is running, disconnect the jumper cables in the following order. Charging vehicle's chassis connection, jumped vehicle's negative connection, Charging vehicle's positive connection, jumped vehicle's positive connection. You are free (of course now is the time if your alternator is shot that the machine will sputter to a stop).
8. Wander over to your new found friend (or old reliable friend as the situation warrants) while you coil up the jumpers to hand them back and offer the kind soul who just saved you a drink of refreshment at the nearest watering hole. Remember, be neat and polite, it speaks well of you.
Remember also to check out your charging system at your earliest possible opportunity to prevent your being stranded again.
Happy trails folks.