Battery Tender Plug In Port (BX Mod)

xzcVAbc5 · Apr 13, 2015

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 · Apr 14, 2015

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 · Apr 14, 2015

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

Al 2 · Apr 14, 2015

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 · Apr 14, 2015

devildog1 said:
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 · Apr 16, 2015

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

aeblank · Apr 17, 2015

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 · Apr 18, 2015

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

Ron

Happy Gilmore · Apr 18, 2015

jjsjeff said:
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 · Apr 18, 2015

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:

Happy Gilmore · Apr 19, 2015

dragoneggs said:
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:

Funny, that's exactly how mine is, haha

xzcVAbc5 · Apr 19, 2015

dragoneggs said:
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:

Be careful tightening up the screws. You can get them too tight. One of the screws on mine is tight enough to cause the plastic to spread out just a little bit. I should have let off the trigger a little sooner.

David_Kb7uns · Apr 19, 2015

Put a lighter plug in exact same location for that purpose on my BX-2230

Sea-Dog Power Sockets - 12 Volt - DC Connectors & Plugs - Electrical - Downwind Marine

Less then $4

David Kb7uns

dragoneggs · Apr 20, 2015

jjsjeff said:
Be careful tightening up the screws. You can get them too tight. One of the screws on mine is tight enough to cause the plastic to spread out just a little bit. I should have let off the trigger a little sooner.

Ahh...grasshopper, one must use hand tool when screwing with plastic.

dragoneggs · Apr 25, 2015

Thanks again JJ for the great idea! :thumbsup: I just finished installing mine but I chose the right side due to my 110v power source is on that side where I park and there is a bit more room behind the dash.

I used a 7/8in Forstner bit for the main hole and then used the receptacle for a template to drill the 4 screw holes using a 11/64in twist bit. Almost didn't need to use the nylock nuts as it was a nice snug fit. The kit comes with 8-32 1/2in and 5/8in length screws. I used the longer ones and hand tightened. Much cleaner than my makeshift setup before.

tdibratt · Feb 17, 2016

HI there, the mod looks really good.

Wondering how that connector holds out in really cold weather? Is it brittle? My concern would be over time the cover might snap off if the plastic gets really cold. Watched a youtube video with Paul Short where he used one that fits with compression fitting and cover is good to -40.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD93TOVMvLo

jjsjeff said:
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.

View attachment 420836

View attachment 420837

xzcVAbc5 · Feb 18, 2016

tdibratt said:
HI there, the mod looks really good.

Wondering how that connector holds out in really cold weather? Is it brittle? My concern would be over time the cover might snap off if the plastic gets really cold. Watched a youtube video with Paul Short where he used one that fits with compression fitting and cover is good to -40.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD93TOVMvLo

You're absolutely right to ask. Mine already broke. I wondered about it when I bought it, but couldn't find anything else. I saw Paul's video and I agree the one he used is a superior product. If the cover breaks you could install another and be back in business.

I think I'll attach my cover to one of the little metal pop bead chains eventually. For now I just keep it in my toolbox so I don't loose it.

P.S. I think the part Paul has is a little less expensive than the one I bought.

dragoneggs · Feb 18, 2016

No issues with mine but I don't get extreme cold weather. It seems pretty sturdy to me but I am usually pretty gentle on connectors and such as I hate breaking things. Done it too many times in the past. I get frustrated at my wife who shuts things like cabinet doors fairly hard without a thought. I try to remind her to go easy but she doesn't think about things wearing out. :mur: I still love her though :cloud9:

tdibratt · Feb 18, 2016

jjsjeff said:
You're absolutely right to ask. Mine already broke. I wondered about it when I bought it, but couldn't find anything else. I saw Paul's video and I agree the one he used is a superior product. If the cover breaks you could install another and be back in business.

I think I'll attach my cover to one of the little metal pop bead chains eventually. For now I just keep it in my toolbox so I don't loose it.

P.S. I think the part Paul has is a little less expensive than the one I bought.

Funny thing is I already bought the same one you put on even though I had seen the other one available I did read some comments from posters that it required some substantial housing to be able to use friction to hold in place. I then saw Paul's video after.

Well I am going to have to bite the bullet and go for the other one.

Anyone need a saddlebag ESA port connector

Maybe someone will need one, post on KIJIJI..