Battery Tender
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,611
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I'm sold on the Deltran battery tenders. Just had one quite functioning normally, sent it to Deltran, got a new one as a replacement. This unit was 3 years old. Good service.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I do not believe in tenders. Snake oil, IMHO.
But I needed to know for sure so I got a $40 BelTran tender to squeeze the last few cranks out of a 3+ year old MoCo battery...and then started using it regularly on the new MoCo battery I replaced the old one with.
Within a few months, I started having intermittent electrical failure problems that all pointed to the battery. New battery, kept top-charged with a tender...the battery was toast within a year. Fortunately for me, the local dealer I purchased it from did full a no-cost warranty replacement. I have not used the tender and so far there are no battery problems.
I still believe it is all a bunch of snake-oil unless you are one of those owners who park all winter or ride a couple of times a year. My personal experience with the tender confirms what I have believed all along, a regularly ridden Harley does not need a tender, a garage queen does.
But I needed to know for sure so I got a $40 BelTran tender to squeeze the last few cranks out of a 3+ year old MoCo battery...and then started using it regularly on the new MoCo battery I replaced the old one with.
Within a few months, I started having intermittent electrical failure problems that all pointed to the battery. New battery, kept top-charged with a tender...the battery was toast within a year. Fortunately for me, the local dealer I purchased it from did full a no-cost warranty replacement. I have not used the tender and so far there are no battery problems.
I still believe it is all a bunch of snake-oil unless you are one of those owners who park all winter or ride a couple of times a year. My personal experience with the tender confirms what I have believed all along, a regularly ridden Harley does not need a tender, a garage queen does.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,405
Likes: 1,114
From: USA
^ This makes since to me ^ Toasted a brand new battery over the winter using a tender. I did purchase a new one (tender and battery) but my bike will be spending this winter under the cover in my GF's heated garage, and will definitely see the light of a few times when the New England weather is bearably for a and hour ride. Good luck!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
And imo a tender cooks the battery - shortening its life
Ghost
2014 Harley gets this one:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/b...tender-plus-he
2013 Honda gets this one:
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/126-066
No electrical issues so far, both have original batteries. When I'm not riding them they're plugged into these in the garage.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/b...tender-plus-he
2013 Honda gets this one:
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/126-066
No electrical issues so far, both have original batteries. When I'm not riding them they're plugged into these in the garage.
Last edited by UrbanRunner; Oct 14, 2016 at 11:55 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Got 3 Bikes and 3 Deltran Battery Tender Jr's and they all have had a Great Battery Life as well as Cranking right up when started .. Cheap piece of mind for very little trouble or money ..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
I do not believe in tenders. Snake oil, IMHO. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,
I still believe it is all a bunch of snake-oil unless you are one of those owners who park all winter or ride a couple of times a year. My personal experience with the tender confirms what I have believed all along, a regularly ridden Harley does not need a tender, a garage queen does.
I still believe it is all a bunch of snake-oil unless you are one of those owners who park all winter or ride a couple of times a year. My personal experience with the tender confirms what I have believed all along, a regularly ridden Harley does not need a tender, a garage queen does.
^ This makes since to me ^ Toasted a brand new battery over the winter using a tender. I did purchase a new one (tender and battery) but my bike will be spending this winter under the cover in my GF's heated garage, and will definitely see the light of a few times when the New England weather is bearably for a and hour ride. Good luck!
Experience, especially a bad one, is a great teacher I'll admit, but 000's of batteries spend 000,000's of hours on tenders to good effect. We have long winters up here and, in addition to that, I work overseas, months at a time. I've had my ride on a tender for as long as 9 months non stop and at least 4 months with regularity. The battery ( 3 years old) is still working perfectly. The tender certainly doesn't seem to have hurt it at all. Other seasonal equipment like my snow blower, stays on a tender too, its all good.
Batteries are expensive and failure can leave you stranded, eff up other electrical components, etc.. Tenders are already cheap relative to batteries and components but as with anything else, you get what you pay for. Reputable brands with good reviews are the wise choice regardless of price.
Yuasa, to take an example, is a battery maker first and foremost and one with a solid reputation. They market their brand of tenders too, which wouldn't be smart if all they did was ruin their primary product and reputation.
"Buy a tender".
Last edited by HKMark23; Oct 15, 2016 at 05:06 AM.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
From: Kingsport, Tn.
Deltran Battery Tender
My 2010 Fat Bob , purchased new, stock battery has been on Deltran Battery Tender for almost seven yrs. After ever ride I plug it in and battery is good as new. Also it sits all winter, on Deltran Battery Tender and no problems.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
I have three different types (re-branded Deltran (HD), Sears Die Hard & Stanley) & didn't pay more the $20 for either (all on sale, when purchased). All work the same (get the job done) and neither have cooked any of my batteries (hooked to bike, mower & truck/car (depending on season)). It's all in what you want to do, how much you're willing to pay and what you believe works.