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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Battery Tender options?
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Message started by ylwf3vr on 08/07/13 at 08:41:12

Title: Battery Tender options?
Post by ylwf3vr on 08/07/13 at 08:41:12

Just wondering if many of you use battery tenders. After this ordeal of leaving the parking light on my bike, I think I'll invest in one if you all think its worth it.

Now, if you are using it, what type are you using? And do you just leave the battery in the bike and attach the tender?

I'm thinking these -

http://www.jpcycles.com/2007-suzuki-s40-boulevard-s40k6/battery-chargers

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by Dave on 08/07/13 at 08:56:49

Just about any quality tender will work fine.....I would not trust the $ 6.00 ones from Harbor Freight.

Battery tenders are used when the bike will be sitting for an extended period.......like a month or more. Conventional batteries do lose some power gradually over time, and the Tenders help with that along with offsetting the loss to clocks, sucurity systems, and things that take current even when the bike is parked. The Savage does not have any of those things and the battery should not need a tender if you ride it once ever week or two.

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by HondaLavis on 08/07/13 at 09:41:40

I use a slightly older version of this model:

http://www.amazon.com/Xciter-5-Stage-900mA-Charger-Maintainer/dp/B002MUY3KO

It has settings for 6 volt and 12 volt, and the new one lets you pick between "large battery" and "small agm." It charges, and automatically senses when to switch to float/maintenance charge. It will even tell you if your battery is fried. At $25, you can't beat the price! I've used mine for years and it's never let me down.

Oh, AND it has the pigtail to attach to your bike, and the pigtail is fused! ;)

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/07/13 at 10:40:49

The biggest fault w/ HF float chargers is the pukey little wires will break the insulation right at the exit & then the wires will touch & the "wall Wart" will get hot & droop,, could be a nice little firestarter.. I was happy that it didnt,,

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by Digger on 08/18/13 at 20:43:08

Minority opinion here:

In general, I don't like the normal consumer-grade automatic battery tenders. The main reason is that they can start acting up without me knowing it. The built-in-test capabilities of this grade of tender are sorely lacking or absent altogether.

I have five motorcycles and here is how I keep the batteries going on them:

I've installed a "charging platform" on the ceiling of my garage:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/Chargers-1E.jpg

Line current runs into a cheap timer (like those used to turn lights on and off). The timer is hooked up to four different $20 one amp battery chargers (bought at Auto Zone). There IS one smart charger up there (my wife got it free with her Beemer (1992 R100RT) years ago); that one is connected to my Savage (my "daily rider"). The lines from the battery chargers drape down and are connected to my five bikes. The timer comes on for 10 minutes each night.

Advantages: The batteries are getting zapped each night. Ten minutes at one amp will definitely not overcharge any of the bikes' batteries. Probably(?) cheaper than five Battery Tenders. Most importantly, I can verify myself that the timer works and that each of the individual chargers are working correctly by just a few simple tests.

Works for me!

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by LANCER on 08/19/13 at 06:00:54

Nice going Digger.
A very practical solution with the benefit of usable convenience.
Overhead and out of the way but easily assessable.
From the mind of someone accustomed to working in 0-gravity work places, where anything can be located virtually anywhere. :)

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by paulmarshall on 08/19/13 at 13:05:01

I use a Deltran battery tender.http://batterytender.com/

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by Boofer on 08/19/13 at 17:05:28

I use a Schumacher from WalMart. About $20. It comes with a pigtail I put on the battery permanently. It rides nicely on the top of my right side cover and slides out when I need it. Also has a pigtail with clamps for occasional use on things like riding mowers. :)

Title: Re: Battery Tender options?
Post by zoombass1 on 08/20/13 at 02:59:23

I have both the first two from jp's work great for both my bikes!!!!!!!