Let's talk battery tenders

[Mel]

I'm the second owner, '07 RSV. Bike came from a dealer with a battery connection for a battery tender. Small polarizied two wire lead connected to pos. and neg. terminals on the battery, sticks out from under the seat.

 

Riding for 45+ years, have never used a tender. I always removed the battery for winter storage, used a 2 amp charger a couple times over the winter months.

 

For what/where should I look for a battery tender? Seems it would be much easier than removing/reinstalling the battery. I've seen a couple on the internet, but they have the alligator clips, not the small plug-in type connector.

[Eck]

Mel,

Most all Battery Tenders come with TWO cords..

One cord has the alligator clips as you mentioned, and the second cord is the plug in type that you are looking for.

 

You can find a battery tender at Sears, Lowe's and or Home Depot.

 

A New Schumacher 1.5 Amp charger from Wal-Mart is $18.47 and works the same as a battery tender..fully automatic and shuts off when batter is fully charged It comes with the plug in type cord also..

 

Edited October 4, 2010 by Eck

[KeithR]

So is it a good idea to leave the battery in the bike? The reason I ask is cause that is what I did last year with a tender on and I needed a new battery this spring. I had always removed it but last winter I didn't. It may just be a coincidence but debating what I should do this year?

 

Any Thoughts ?

 

 

Keith

[friesman]

I use the schumacher that |Eck is talking about and it has the leads that attach very easily to battery and it makes hook up so simple. I left the battery tender on last winter in the bike in a heated garage and in Feb I trailered it to a shop 2 hours away on a -20 f day. after sitting in a trailer for about 3 hours at -20f the bike still fired up and i rode it into the dealer and had quite a few curious onlookers with all the deep snow and cold.

But I am convinced that they do help keep your battery healthier so you get longer life out of them, even if you only get a year extra, youre already monet ahead with the Schumacher as its is so cheap.

 

Brian

 

Ps i also use the leads for my heated vest, I have put an inline fuse in the vest just before the heat control just in case of an overload.

[boominup]

So is it a good idea to leave the battery in the bike? The reason I ask is cause that is what I did last year with a tender on and I needed a new battery this spring. I had always removed it but last winter I didn't. It may just be a coincidence but debating what I should do this year?

 

Any Thoughts ?

Keith

 

I have a 03 RSV which has had a B Tender since I've had it...the battery never has come out of the bike and it is the original. Voltage specs are still where they belong but I have a brand new spare battery, just in case. My 83 Venture Royale would cost me one battery per year on average but it never was hooked up to a Tender. I think my Tender has paid for itself a few times!

Brian

[Eck]

 

So is it a good idea to leave the battery in the bike?

 

Keith,

I would NOT take the battery out of the bike...

Plug the battery tender in after you properly hook it up to the battery.

 

Eck

[Yammer Dan]

I use the Harbor Freight one. Seems to work OK and is on sale now for 8 bucks. But I'm thinking it only has the clips.

[Chinto]

What I have learned this year is that if the battery fails in-spite of being on a tender then make sure your stator and/or rectifier is working properly. My battery seem to fail this spring by what I thought was not fully charging. What it turned out to be was the battery was being drained while riding. Once the stator was replaced everything returned to normal charging.

[dvuch1]

Just bought a simple tender at Harbor Freight for 3.50. Auto shut off. Got 2..one fort he boat too. Check online or your local Harbor Freight.

[boominup]

What I have learned this year is that if the battery fails in-spite of being on a tender then make sure your stator and/or rectifier is working properly. My battery seem to fail this spring by what I thought was not fully charging. What it turned out to be was the battery was being drained while riding. Once the stator was replaced everything returned to normal charging.

I agree 100%. No sense putting in a new battery if the system is not feeling well! You'll only be installing another battery shortly!

[Little Bob]

I use the optioma 4. Never take the battery out. 4 yrs old and starts just like new.

[N3FOL]

I also don't remove my battery during the winter months. Since I ride all year long except when there is ice, snow and rain, the battery stays in the bike. If I know the bike has sat for more than a week in the garage, I plug in my SEARS battery conditioner that I've had for about 5 years now. With that said, I hope to get another full year of life from my battery. Regards.

[kj5ix]

I use the Harbor Freight one. Seems to work OK and is on sale now for 8 bucks. But I'm thinking it only has the clips.

That is what I also use on both bikes, and the tractor. Got them several years ago, and cut the clips off and put a cig plug on the two for the bikes, and use the clips for the tractor and what ever else needs a touch up for a few days. Works great I do have direct battery connections on both bikes for high power distribution point ( 30 amp )

[Flyinfool]

I do everything wrong and the bike just seems to not really care.

I do not remove the battery.

I do not use a tender or charger.

The bike is outside in sub zero temps.

The bike is pretty much totally ignored from the first big snow accumulation till after the first good rain in spring to wash the salt off the roads.

I put in a new cheap battery from Fleet Farm when I bought the bike 4 years ago, and it fires right up in the spring.

 

Dang, I actually said that, now it will likely need a new battery next spring, drat........

[N3FOL]

Say, "Knock On Wood.":cry:

[dynodon]

A word about some of the off-brand battery maintainers. Some are OK, others will overcook a battery, others won't do a proper float. I buy only Battery Tender BRAND maintainers, and they have never let me down.

 

When I am plugging something in that will be running 24/7 in my garage with my beloved bikes/cars, I want a brand name that won't let me down or burn down the building.

 

Before I started using Battery Tender Brand maintainers on my equipment, I was buying 2-3 batteries a YEAR. (we have four mowers/tractors, plus a couple bikes and a couple old cars) Since using the maintainers, we average about on battery every 3 years.

 

You don't have to remove the battery, but keep an eye on it. IF the caps come off, check fluid level 2-3 times a year. Also look for battery acid accumulation. In my extensive experience with vehicles that get stored, acid starts accumulating when the charging system/battery has a problem. Bad battery, means it will charge too much and acid accumulates. Bad alternator/charging system, and acid accumulates.

 

IF the system and the battery are healthy, you will NOT get any acid, especially if you use a maintainer.

 

Just google Battery Tender Jr. (I have had both the Jr. version and the bigger plus version, and don't see the need to pay more for the bigger one) and you can find them for near $20. I won't trust a

[Guest]

I'm the second owner, '07 RSV. Bike came from a dealer with a battery connection for a battery tender. Small polarizied two wire lead connected to pos. and neg. terminals on the battery, sticks out from under the seat.

 

Riding for 45+ years, have never used a tender. I always removed the battery for winter storage, used a 2 amp charger a couple times over the winter months.

 

For what/where should I look for a battery tender? Seems it would be much easier than removing/reinstalling the battery. I've seen a couple on the internet, but they have the alligator clips, not the small plug-in type connector.

 

http://www.compacc.com/p/Deltran-Super-Smart-12-Volt-Battery-Tender-Plus

 

Best price out there. Most shops sell it for 59 bucks!