Battery tender question
Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Thanks for everyone who posted, but I'm still a little confused. I have a 2005 Softail Heritage Classic with the security system. I ride my bike daily, about 16 miles to work and 16 miles return trip. And I usually ride it during my hour-long lunch. Sometimes for short hops, sometimes for the whole hour. The bike sits during the day, however - 9 hours in the heat (100+ - I'm in Tucson, Az.) I jumped on the bike tonight and got the dreadful "click, click, click..." upon trying to fire up. A hefty push and clutch pop and off we went.
Here's my confusion: Doesn't the bike charge the battery during operation the same as a car does? It just seems weird that the little 'ol security system could suck that battery dry. Please, educate me. I'm new to all of this.
Tim
Here's my confusion: Doesn't the bike charge the battery during operation the same as a car does? It just seems weird that the little 'ol security system could suck that battery dry. Please, educate me. I'm new to all of this.
Tim
That is quite hot. How old is the battery? If it's original it may not be holding a full charge. That kind of heat will really test a battery. Regarding battery tenders, make sure the one you were given is a float charger. Float chargers can be left on all the time as the monitor the charge and turn on and off accordingly. If it is a trickle charger it will constantly flow a charge to the battery and can do damage if not unplugged once sufficiently charged. Bring the battery to your local shop and have them test it for you. If the battery is no good be sure to buy an AGM type battery for where you live. OEM batteries are AGM. Hope that helped some!
Last edited by harleypartsguy; Jul 2, 2014 at 01:55 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 3
From: UK
The Harley security system has a hibernation mode so it does not drain the battery unnecessarily. You can set the mode, just read the manual. You should be able to leave you bike over a month without any fear of a dead battery. I never use a charger unless the bike is being left for more than a month, and then only overnight to top up the battery. I have a Buell with an original HD battery that it came with from new in 2000 and it still works fine although it does not have an alarm, my Fat Boy is on its original battery from 2004.
If you need to keep a battery on charge there is something wrong.
If you need to keep a battery on charge there is something wrong.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 154
From: Lake City, Florida
I have my Electra Glide Limited, my KLR650 dual sport bike, my Club Cadet riding mower, my generator, my Work and Play toy hauler trailer, my F250 truck with two batteries, and my Corvette all plugged into tinkle chargers all the time when not being used. I guess you could say that I think they work!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 240
From: On 2 rails...
I see it as keeping something from going wrong...both bikes after every ride, be it long or short get plugged in. My riding schedule is erratic, like my job...LOL
My buddy, who knows more than anyone (his opinion...lol) said it was bad for the battery. Geez two times in a year he's had click...click...click. He now has a tender. I think he was too cheap to buy one, til he had to buy a battery.
Of course he also panics when the temp gets to 80, that his bike will overheat and implode.
My buddy, who knows more than anyone (his opinion...lol) said it was bad for the battery. Geez two times in a year he's had click...click...click. He now has a tender. I think he was too cheap to buy one, til he had to buy a battery.
Of course he also panics when the temp gets to 80, that his bike will overheat and implode.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 3
From: UK
Lots of different stories around but all I can say is that I have 2 batteries in bikes 10 and 14 years old, both hold their charge for weeks so I must be doing something right.
IMO a battery should last at least 10 years, yet it seems routing to have to change HD batteries much sooner. The only difference I can see is the charging strategy.
The big battery killer is sulphating. This only happens when its been left dead for a while. if that happens then its the luck of the draw if it can be recovered, no matter how old it is.
Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
I spoke with the service people at Tucson Harley Davidson this morning and the folks at Ride Now Power Sports. THD recommends a battery tender to prolong the life of the battery; but both shops say under normal riding conditions (given you ride long enough for the battery to charge and the bike doesn't sit five days or more) you shouldn't NEED a battery tender. Their prognosis is that either my battery, stator, or regulator are bad. Fortunately, I'm taking it in Friday for 30,000 mile service, so they'll test all three.
Thanks again for all the responses! This is a great forum.
Tim
Thanks again for all the responses! This is a great forum.
Tim
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
I spoke with the service people at Tucson Harley Davidson this morning and the folks at Ride Now Power Sports. THD recommends a battery tender to prolong the life of the battery; but both shops say under normal riding conditions (given you ride long enough for the battery to charge and the bike doesn't sit five days or more) you shouldn't NEED a battery tender. Their prognosis is that either my battery, stator, or regulator are bad. Fortunately, I'm taking it in Friday for 30,000 mile service, so they'll test all three.
Thanks again for all the responses! This is a great forum.
Tim
Thanks again for all the responses! This is a great forum.
Tim
I too suspect you have a problem with your charging system or battery. You'll know for sure on Fri.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
A properly operating charging system on the bike will keep the battery fully charged, but it need to be rode often enough and long enough to do so. It puts a strain on the bikes charging system to charge a dead or nearly dead battery back to full charge. automotive type batterys like to be kept fully charged. a bike can sit a while without a tender and still start, and when running will charge the battery fully, but there are still current drains on the battery even when is shut off, , a tender keeps the battery fully charged and ready to go and doesn't work the charging system on the bike as hard topping of the battery. So pretty much everyone is right, if the bike is rode regularly it doesn't need a tender, but it doesn't hurt to keep it plugged into one when not riding. I am with the idea if its going to be sitting for a while , more than a couple days , having it plugged in makes for a easier life for the battery and charging system . fwiw