Need battery charger?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 3
From: OKC
RE: Need battery charger?
Do you need it, probably not. Will it hurt anything if you put it on a charger, no. I have one I hook my bike up to after every ride. It's right where I park it, and I have the pigtail attached to the battery. Connect and disconnect takes less than 3 seconds. Battery stays fully charged all the time, and I never have to worry about it. Usually ride two or three times a week, until I ran into knee problems in April. I was down until last weekend. Walked out, unplugged her, started her right up no problem. You just never know when something will cause you not to be able to ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 4
From: Houston
RE: Need battery charger?
I agree with Jim,, I just had an issue with a deer coming back from Kansas headin for Houston.. I'm goin to be laid up 4 to 7 weeks... Scoot is already on the 'battery tender'..
Do the same with my boat during off season.. Batteries always fresh...
Do the same with my boat during off season.. Batteries always fresh...
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
RE: Need battery charger?
a good maintainence charger-battery tender jr-yuasa- or hd's which is made by the same folks of bt+ & jr. any of these run 1/2 the price of a new battery. you do the math.
the agm batteries have a longer shelf life, then older lead acid ones. however if you have any kind of electronics (hello bagger owners) then it's to your advantage to invest in one.
i use my tender anytime my bikes sit for 2 weeks + rare but you never know
the agm batteries have a longer shelf life, then older lead acid ones. however if you have any kind of electronics (hello bagger owners) then it's to your advantage to invest in one.
i use my tender anytime my bikes sit for 2 weeks + rare but you never know
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Need battery charger?
Do you need a battery charger...NO. I will explain a little. The battery is designed to turn over the motor and supply voltage to the ignition circuit (coils), supply spark and start. You will not do any damage to the electronics as a constant voltage is required at the ECM supplied from the alternator via the regulator. Once the ECM sees this the electronics are initiated. All this happens in the blink of an eye. As I had said in an earlier thread, the only drain from the battery is your lights, blinkers (if initiated), fuel pump (EFI models) and brake lights, again if initiated. Prolonged battery life would be greatly enhanced if the lights were designed to turn on after constant voltage was detected.
Batteries today will sit on the shelf or in the bike for some time. of course they will slowly dicharge with temperature change. If the unforeseen happens and the battery is flat on your next start, then charge it.
I quickly had a look at the drawings for my FXDI after reading this thread and this would appear how the setup is.
If you have a flat battery...YES put it on charge. The short answer is if the fuel pump kicks in the battery will start the bike.
Hope this makes sense
Cheers
Batteries today will sit on the shelf or in the bike for some time. of course they will slowly dicharge with temperature change. If the unforeseen happens and the battery is flat on your next start, then charge it.
I quickly had a look at the drawings for my FXDI after reading this thread and this would appear how the setup is.
If you have a flat battery...YES put it on charge. The short answer is if the fuel pump kicks in the battery will start the bike.
Hope this makes sense
Cheers
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Need battery charger?
Here is my $0.02 When it gets cold my bike is a bear to start gotta love the carb. It seemed to start easier when I had it hooked up to the charger. Know I don't have much knowledge on this stuff but when something makes my bike easier to start I go with it and like 3dynaP said it takes 3 seconds to hook up at the end of your ride when you park the bike. I have spent $30.00 on worse things. It is up to you though
Tony
Tony
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Need battery charger?
I bought a batter tender (not charger) and use it all of the time. Like others, I hooked up the small pigtail harness and plug it in a couple of times a week. The tender has a red light to let you know it's charging, which turns green when the battery is on float. It's amazing how long the red light stays on sometimes after letting the bike sit for a week if I go away or forget to plug it in. For me, it was a cheap investment that seems to be working as advertised.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Need battery charger?
ORIGINAL: klagair
Do you need a battery charger...NO. I will explain a little. The battery is designed to turn over the motor and supply voltage to the ignition circuit (coils), supply spark and start. You will not do any damage to the electronics as a constant voltage is required at the ECM supplied from the alternator via the regulator. Once the ECM sees this the electronics are initiated. All this happens in the blink of an eye. As I had said in an earlier thread, the only drain from the battery is your lights, blinkers (if initiated), fuel pump (EFI models) and brake lights, again if initiated. Prolonged battery life would be greatly enhanced if the lights were designed to turn on after constant voltage was detected.
Batteries today will sit on the shelf or in the bike for some time. of course they will slowly dicharge with temperature change. If the unforeseen happens and the battery is flat on your next start, then charge it.
I quickly had a look at the drawings for my FXDI after reading this thread and this would appear how the setup is.
If you have a flat battery...YES put it on charge. The short answer is if the fuel pump kicks in the battery will start the bike.
Hope this makes sense
Cheers
Do you need a battery charger...NO. I will explain a little. The battery is designed to turn over the motor and supply voltage to the ignition circuit (coils), supply spark and start. You will not do any damage to the electronics as a constant voltage is required at the ECM supplied from the alternator via the regulator. Once the ECM sees this the electronics are initiated. All this happens in the blink of an eye. As I had said in an earlier thread, the only drain from the battery is your lights, blinkers (if initiated), fuel pump (EFI models) and brake lights, again if initiated. Prolonged battery life would be greatly enhanced if the lights were designed to turn on after constant voltage was detected.
Batteries today will sit on the shelf or in the bike for some time. of course they will slowly dicharge with temperature change. If the unforeseen happens and the battery is flat on your next start, then charge it.
I quickly had a look at the drawings for my FXDI after reading this thread and this would appear how the setup is.
If you have a flat battery...YES put it on charge. The short answer is if the fuel pump kicks in the battery will start the bike.
Hope this makes sense
Cheers
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Need battery charger?
Sorry guys, but I can't help myself, have to reply again.
If you require a battery tender that would indicate to me that your battery is on the way out (won't hold charge or accept charge) A common problem here is the terminals are dirty or a bad earth. The charging circuit is working but because of the bad earth there is no potential between battery earth and the charging circuit earth. I have had bikes for the last 32 years and have never had to do as what I am reading in this forum. For that matter, motor vehicals operate on the same system, do you all go out and lift the bonnet and put your chargers on after a drive.
Other associated issues are overloading, excessive lights or higher wattage headlights.
Some enthusists fit larger alternators to there cars. ie, upgrade from a 45A to a 55A alternator to allow for larger / more spotlights etc.
A little harder to do this on a scooter.
You can only take out of a battery what is put in.
Cheers once again.
If you require a battery tender that would indicate to me that your battery is on the way out (won't hold charge or accept charge) A common problem here is the terminals are dirty or a bad earth. The charging circuit is working but because of the bad earth there is no potential between battery earth and the charging circuit earth. I have had bikes for the last 32 years and have never had to do as what I am reading in this forum. For that matter, motor vehicals operate on the same system, do you all go out and lift the bonnet and put your chargers on after a drive.
Other associated issues are overloading, excessive lights or higher wattage headlights.
Some enthusists fit larger alternators to there cars. ie, upgrade from a 45A to a 55A alternator to allow for larger / more spotlights etc.
A little harder to do this on a scooter.
You can only take out of a battery what is put in.
Cheers once again.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,051
Likes: 8
From: Detroit Michigan
RE: Need battery charger?
if your bike is new or your battery is new, then dont buy a battery tender .if you bike or battery,is getting old then you might need one.i have never ever had one. and had my lowrider for 5 yrs and now my bobber for a yr,and they sit all winter in garage.with no battery tender.but if you do buy one,buy it on ebay,ive seen them sell between 5.00 -15.00.so until your battery die's for the first time,save your money and buy some chrome
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