Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: 944SS on April 21, 2013, 05:23:17 PM

Title: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: 944SS on April 21, 2013, 05:23:17 PM
On my new to me 1100 EVO, I tried hooking up my trickle charger to the pigtails kindly provided by Ducati.  Would not charge.  Took a reading at the pigtails and it's showing no voltage.  Is this a fused connection?  Too bad it's such a pita to get at the battery and check it out at source.  It does start and run fine but like to keep a trickle hooked up.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: Curmudgeon on April 21, 2013, 09:53:12 PM
Which pigtails provided by Ducati? Your dealer? Battery Tender pigtail? Dedicated Ducati from this? http://www.ducati.com/accessories/multistrada/tester___automatic_battery_charger_501/index.do (http://www.ducati.com/accessories/multistrada/tester___automatic_battery_charger_501/index.do)

If the latter, you may require the dedicated charger.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: ungeheuer on April 22, 2013, 06:08:37 AM
Quote from: 944SS on April 21, 2013, 05:23:17 PMToo bad it's such a pita to get at the battery and check it out at source.  It does start and run fine but like to keep a trickle hooked up.
PITA or not, looks like a journey to the battery is the way to the definitive answer (its really not that bad once you accept that it is what it is).  Or you could just ask your dealer what pigtail it is that they fitted?
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: HotIce on April 22, 2013, 10:19:31 AM
But he should still be getting a read out of the tail connectors, if properly installed.
I vote for a blown fuse on the tail.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: Curmudgeon on April 22, 2013, 11:09:43 AM
Quote from: HotIce on April 22, 2013, 10:19:31 AM
But he should still be getting a read out of the tail connectors, if properly installed.
I vote for a blown fuse on the tail.
Now, there you go trying to be logical. ;D

Not sure that's true on a "new" Monster using the fancy factory pigtail for the computer/tester/charger. That might not be a simple power lead.

Forgot to mention earlier that my 796 will sometimes NOT take a charge from my Battery Tender Jr. while the lights are still flashing from the immobilizer. Next day it takes a charge no issue. Go figure... This too might be the OP's issue.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: 944SS on April 22, 2013, 12:57:28 PM
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 22, 2013, 11:09:43 AM
Not sure that's true on a "new" Monster using the fancy factory pigtail for the computer/tester/charger. That might not be a simple power lead.

These are no doubt the battery tender leads provided by Ducati.  I noticed the owner's manual suggested a Ducati specific charger but figured that was the usual BS.  The connector itself certainly implies nothing more than a direct battery connect, possibly fused, but based on your comments it sounds like there may be more to this. 
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: Curmudgeon on April 22, 2013, 01:15:11 PM
Does your connector look like the one in the link above? My 796 (2011) was supplied with no pigtail but my dealer installed a Battery Tender pigtail.

Did you try to charge it while the immobilizer lights were still flashing? If so, try again after they extinguish.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: oldndumb on April 22, 2013, 01:21:28 PM
What is the pig tail configuration?

Not knowing the specifics re the dealer installed pig tail makes it difficult to crystal ball. It could be direct to battery, and if such, a fuse or faulty connection would be a trouble shooting start point. If wired direct to the battery I would expect it to be an SAE connector.

Or it could be that the "pigtails kindly provided by Ducati" are the DDA and/or DDA+ connectors. If that is the case, a bad connection or faulty equipment would be my guess.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: 944SS on April 22, 2013, 02:19:18 PM
//
Quote from: Curmudgeon on April 22, 2013, 01:15:11 PM
Does your connector look like the one in the link above? My 796 (2011) was supplied with no pigtail but my dealer installed a Battery Tender pigtail.

Did you try to charge it while the immobilizer lights were still flashing? If so, try again after they extinguish.

Looks like a standard trickle charge connector.  It is well possible it's a dealer install.  I just assumed it was Ducati since the owner's manual refers to a trickle charge plug.  
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: oldndumb on April 22, 2013, 03:00:15 PM
Quote from: 944SS on April 22, 2013, 02:19:18 PM
//..... I just assumed it was Ducati since the owner's manual refers to a trickle charge plug.  

Actually what the manual states is that the bike is equipped with a connector to which you can connect a special battery charger available from their sales network. I do not believe I have seen Ducati mentioning anything about a "trickle" charge connector in any of their 1100 EVO manuals.

That connector is the DDA one I mentioned already. Definitely sounds as though you have a dealer installed connector of the SAE variety.

While on the subject of battery charging, a trickle charger is not the best choice to maintain an AGM battery. A multi mode one is recommended. But then, you might actually have a multi mode one and be referring to it as a trickle charger. Very common for people to do that, even though they have a multi mode and not a plain jane trickle one.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: sgollapalle on April 22, 2013, 03:56:35 PM
The quick charge connector is fused. I've seen it on mine when the ducati tech was wiring my air horn ;)

And like you would guess, the fuse is close to the battery terminal.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: danaid on April 23, 2013, 12:13:37 AM
 Probably just a sloppy dealer install. I had to properly reinstall mine.

My bike came with a dealer installed battery tender pigtail, they installed it with the fuse block and extra wire on top of the battery so that the fuel tank was not fully seated, they forced the tank enough to get the mounting bolts in place and cranked them down, luckily not damaging the tank.
Title: Re: Battery charging 1100 EVO
Post by: ungeheuer on April 23, 2013, 02:56:14 AM
Maybe this, maybe that.

Seriously, just dive in there and TAKE A LOOK.