Battery Tender Plug In Port (BX Mod)

[xzcVAbc5]

I was looking for another way to hook up my battery tender to my BX. Previously, I had to remove the battery cover and plug the battery tender cord into the cable attached to the tractor. Adding an external port (bulkhead) it saves a few minutes of hassle.

This is a pretty easy mod to do on any tractor.

1) Acquire a Powerlet PTB-001.
2) Locate placement on the tractor you want the bulkhead.
3) On the BX there is a wide open area on the left side dash with no obstructions behind.
4) Drill a hole where the center of the bulkhead will mount.
5) Use a 7/8" spade bit and cut the big hole.
6) Hold the backing plate up and align the big holes. Mark the small holes.
7) Drill the small holes for the screws.
8) Place the bulkhead and drive in the machine screws. The machine screws will hold the bulkhead to the tractor.
9) Put the backing plate over the screws and hand tighten the lock nuts
10) Use a 11/32" socket and ratchet to hold the nuts and tighten the screws.
11) Connect the battery maintainer cable on the tractor side to the wire on the inside of the bulkhead.
12) Connect the battery maintainer cable on the wall side to the bulkhead.
13) Enjoy!

Obviously, you'll have to adapt these instructions to whatever tractor you decide to put this bulkhead connector on.

 

[rd_macgregor]

That's a really tidy installation. I've considered installing a dedicated cigaret lighter plug to use as a connector for my solar trickle charger (the one already in my DK45 is ignition-switched, so I can't use it as-is).
Thanks for the clear instructions and pics.

Bob

 

[devildog1]

Good job, thanks for sharing the pictures and instructions.
DevilDog

 

[Al 2]

While we are talking batteries, I put remote battery terminals on our 2 Kubotas as the batteries are in behind the factory grill and part of the loader frame and sometimes hard to connect to when boosting, getting a boost or charging. On the one tractor the remotes are under the hood and on the other the I put them on the lower part of the engine side panel.
Al

 

[xzcVAbc5]

Good job, thanks for sharing the pictures and instructions.
DevilDog

The main reason I posted the way I installed it is because they talk about using a soldering iron or heating up a nail in the instructions to make the holes. This is marketed as a motorcycle product so they must intend for this to be installed in a soft-sided bag.

Instead of a wood spade bit to drill the main hole someone could use a step bit.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Yeah, or a Forstner bit or small drill-mounted hole saw.

 

[aeblank]

I always wanted one of those auto-eject plugs like on firetrucks.
When it gets ignition voltage, it shoots the attached extension chord out so you cannot drive off with it.

Kussmaul Auto Eject - 12V,15 Amp

Bit hard to justify it. =)

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I wonder if you could just plug it into the existing convenience outlet on the panel?

Ron

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I was looking for another way to hook up my battery tender to my BX. Previously, I had to remove the battery cover and plug the battery tender cord into the cable attached to the tractor. Adding an external port (bulkhead) it saves a few minutes of hassle. This is a pretty easy mod to do on any tractor. 1) Acquire a Powerlet PTB-001. 2) Locate placement on the tractor you want the bulkhead. 3) On the BX there is a wide open area on the left side dash with no obstructions behind. 4) Drill a hole where the center of the bulkhead will mount. 5) Use a 7/8" spade bit and cut the big hole. 6) Hold the backing plate up and align the big holes. Mark the small holes. 7) Drill the small holes for the screws. 8) Place the bulkhead and drive in the machine screws. The machine screws will hold the bulkhead to the tractor. 9) Put the backing plate over the screws and hand tighten the lock nuts 10) Use a 11/32" socket and ratchet to hold the nuts and tighten the screws. 11) Connect the battery maintainer cable on the tractor side to the wire on the inside of the bulkhead. 12) Connect the battery maintainer cable on the wall side to the bulkhead. 13) Enjoy! Obviously, you'll have to adapt these instructions to whatever tractor you decide to put this bulkhead connector on. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/customization/420836-battery-tender-plug-port-bx-20150412_164839-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/customization/420837-battery-tender-plug-port-bx-20150412_164852-jpg"/>

Really nice clean install. I just checked the price, a little expensive though.

 

[dragoneggs]

Love it... I have my disconnect plug for my battery tender hanging/dangling out awkwardly in front of the battery cover/cowling so I didn't have to remove it to plug in. Just not a clean look though... yours looks stock! :thumbsup: Just bought the Powerlet connector on Amazon for $28.95 free shipping. Yep, Happy not cheap but a cool mod that I will use quite a bit. Thanks for the idea, JJ! :drink: