I am going to put an auto battery in the sidecar. My bike does not like when it is cold. And it is cold here well for Florida it is cold. My question is what size cable needs to be used from battery to bike. It will be about 6’.
RichardMc4 - 12/13/2010 9:45 PM
I am going to put an auto battery in the sidecar. My bike does not like when it is cold. And it is cold here well for Florida it is cold. My question is what size cable needs to be used from battery to bike. It will be about 6’.
You won't have much voltage loss in 6'. The issue is that you will be operating your starter with the car battery. Since you didn't tell us what kind of motorcycle you have, I will guess that the starter under cold conditions will be pulling close to 100-115 amps. The chart below is a typical ampacity chart. It suggests # 2 Ga for copper wire up to 75 deg. C. You can get quantities of #2 cable from a welding supply store. they also have the connector lugs that can be soldered on.
http://www.cerrowire.com/images/pdfs/ampacity.pdf
I put a car battery in my Calif 3, believe it was an Exide sealed battery, bike is a Suzuki Cavalcade. Length was 10 ft, cable is # 4 welding cable. Installed two connectors, would like to change over to a connector block made by blue sea systems. It has both neg and pos on one block wirh a plastic shield over the connectors.
Thanks the bike is a Honda showdow 1100.
RichardMc4 - 12/15/2010 11:15 AM
Thanks the bike is a Honda showdow 1100.
Well, they aren't as hard to start as a Harley. You could probably get by with smaller cable, say a #4. Good luck.
Hello
I use a set of older jump leads cut to length
Regards
Barry
I like the jumper cable way. I have 3 or 4 sets. 🙂
Two comments...
One, you need to make sure the battery is properly fastened down. In the event of a crash, you don't want it to become an acid-filled missile flung at your sidecar passenger, or anybody else.
Two. if your bike is hard to start in the cold (in Florida!) something is wrong with your bike. Patching in a big battery isn't really addressing the problem. At some point you're going to find more cranking won't help. Perhaps the problem is awful expensive to fix, like low compression, and an auto battery seems like a cheap work-around. But my guess is you haven't really figured out what the issue is. Could be something as simple as old spark plug wires or a carb that needs adjustment. Some basic maintenance may be all that's needed.
Best,
Ed Bianchi
Delaware USA
'87 K75C/Dauntless "Lady Carol"
Oh geeze... EXTREME veteran, huh? Didn't see that until after I posted. Guess you know how to maintain a bike.
Ed Bianchi
Delaware USA
'87 K75C/Dauntless "Lady Carol"
It is OK Ed I am always looking for help. 🙂 But it had a tune up just before last winter. It starts just have to mess with it for sometime.
Hello
I also like the idea that it is ballast that works for its living just like rthe box of tools in the boot.
Barry in the uk
Threewheelsuk - 12/18/2010 1:30 PM
Hello
I also like the idea that it is ballast that works for its living just like rthe box of tools in the boot.
Barry in the uk
Hi Barry sorry fo missing you so often. Anyhow, I agree Barry.Car batteries cost less last longer , can take a quick charge, have enough reserve for extras if rewquired etc etc.
As far as cable size goes why skimp? If the cable is too small it isn't good. Too large? Who cares? Yes, jumper cables will work...get the beefy ones.
Will this tax the stator more if it's inistalled? My stator only puts out 9amps. I have to watch the loading or it will work full time and burn out. That s why I don't have as many lights on the bike as I would like.
4/0 welding cable makes EXCELLENT jumper cables. Was able jump my F250 diesel pickup after leaving lights on for 12 hours! Best jumper cables you can own and they were relatively inexpensive. Used parrot clamps for the ends and had the connectors swaged on the ends of the cables.
Oh, one last thing. You can use them for ballast in your side car!
Loren
RichardMc4 - 12/17/2010 4:45 PM It is OK Ed I am always looking for help. 🙂 But it had a tune up just before last winter. It starts just have to mess with it for sometime.
I never had an issue starting my bike until I took it to Florida from Canada. Gas! Gas! Gas! try upping the octane level.
PS: I put a car battery in my rig. no issues so far.
