Battery Tender Woes

[Guest Yamahawg]

Went to crank the bike today and all it did was grunt. A little investigating showed that my battery voltage was low and the Harbor Freight Battery Tender had failed and caused the battery to start draining. The Tender was showing only 1.8V output.. I thumped it and the voltage jumped to 5.5v... Next step was to throw it in the garbage and vow never to buy another one. I thought some of you may use the Harbor Freight ones and may want to reconsider whether or not to keep them.

 

Anyway, I got out my Exide Charger and set it up to recharge the bike on the 2A Automatic setting. Took several hours to bring the charge back to full but so far battery doesn't seem to be hurt. May have shortened the life of it though but only time will tell.

 

While waiting on the recharge I found the following link and thought it pretty interesting on batteries. I thought some of you Techies might like to read it.

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/TechMan.pdf

 

I even learned something...LOL

[flb_78]

I dont trust Harbor Freight Electronics. I barely trust their hand tools.

 

I use a Schumacher battery companion

 

http://www.modifiedelectricscooters.com/forum/userstuff/gameboy/200791113418_200771616327_schumacher_companion.jpg

[Freebird]

I've had my Odyssey battery for 4 years now and have kept it on the Battery Tender pretty much the entire time I'm not riding it. All is well so far.

 

They have changed the style just a bit but I think this is the model that I have.

 

http://www.motorcyclebatteriesusa.com/battery-chargers-details.asp?battery=91

[Guest Yamahawg]

Freebird, The Tender Jr. is probably the one I will be getting. Seem like quite a few people I've talked to use them.

Thanks for the info.

[Skid]

I've looked at the Battery Tender, but I've got 4 to 5 years out of each of the Interstate batteries I used in the past. The Interstate is an exact replcement with battery probe and all for the Venture. As long as I ride once a month, my battery is good to go......

[hipshot]

I've looked at the Battery Tender, but I've got 4 to 5 years out of each of the Interstate batteries I used in the past. The Interstate is an exact replcement with battery probe and all for the Venture. As long as I ride once a month, my battery is good to go......

you have had better luck , with interstate, than i have.

i am lucky , to get 1 year, out of their junk!

never again, will i buy anything, that interstate sells.

 

 

next batt. will be an odyssey

just jt.