Battery Tender Tech Tip

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Mar 19, 2019 | 09:47 PM

#11

LQQK_OUT

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Joined: Nov 2006

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From: East Coast, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT

One of the features that's missing from the Battery Tender is a power switch. There is no way to turn off the Battery Tender besides pulling the power cord from the electrical outlet. I like to occasionally power down my Battery Tender for a variety of different reasons, for instance:
1. When I disconnect the charging connector from the motorcycle
2. If I'm away from the house for an extended period of time

A 3-Wire Grounded Switch Tap with ON/OFF Button will allow one to easily power down their Battery Tender. These should be available from the big box stores or your local hardware store.

https://www.leviton.com/en/products/1470-w

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99Birdman

And I would think that would be one of the reasons to have a battery tender to begin with.

Who would have thunk?

Maybe I'm in the minority, but during the warmer months, I don't keep my motorcycle constantly connected to my Battery Tender. I'm either riding them, or I may keep a bike on the tender for only a couple of days to top off the battery. I guess I didn't think that was so unusual. Plus an older bike doesn't have the parasitic drain on a battery like a more modern one does.

Mar 19, 2019 | 09:55 PM

#12

99Birdman

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Joined: Jul 2012

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From: SoCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT

Absolutely no problem with that philosophy. However, I have to believe that, for cost reasons, the mfg might not have included an off switch when there is no reason not to leave it connected to begin with.

Mar 19, 2019 | 10:03 PM

#13

hardheaded

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Joined: Oct 2012

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From: St.Louis Mo.

I have three plugged in to a power strip and another two plugged into another power strip all the time. The one that goes to the bike i can switch off with my toe and then unplug the bike. Or i can just bend over and unplug the thing. Way overthinking this simple thing.

Mar 20, 2019 | 02:04 AM

#14

RK4ME

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Joined: Aug 2009

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From: west Michigan

You're not wrong,OP.

Mar 20, 2019 | 05:32 AM

#15

tcarille

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Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 3,095

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From: dutchess county,ny

There any reason not to use a smart charger ? From what I understand they only charge when needed , and do not need to be unplugged. If I'm wrong on this someone let me know..

Mar 20, 2019 | 06:13 AM

#16

KYRGultra

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 997

Likes: 489

From: Louisville, KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQQK_OUT

My thinking is like yours--not absolutely necessary to keep the BT plugged up all the time during riding season. Also, I very seldom start my bike and run any short errands so, usually, when I ride out of the garage my bike won't get shut off for at least 30-45 minutes. And I have just gotten into the habit of when I get home I ride into the garage and pull up to where my BT is sitting on a piece of wood (sometimes in heavy rains my garage floor gets a little wet) on the garage floor so I just go ahead and plug it up. Now, if I'm pretty sure I will be riding out again later in the day or evening I may not plug it up then but even if I'm not planning on going back out today but plan on riding tomorrow I will plug in the BT. The BT is good insurance.

Mar 20, 2019 | 06:36 AM

#17

Bubba Zanetti

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 21,050

Likes: 19,177

From: The Wasteland

I leave mine plugged in all the time. I unplug the tender at the pig tail on the bike then plug it back in at the end of the ride and yes even in the warm months. My battery life has almost doubled since I started doing this. With a bagger I was lucky to get 3-4 years out of a battery before. Now I get 6-7 years out of a battery.

Mar 20, 2019 | 06:49 AM

#18

Hey Man

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Joined: Jun 2015

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From: West Central FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevil

I have 3 tenders plugged into a power strip. Can be bought cheap anywhere and they have an on/off switch. However there's downside. If someone accidentally switches it off, all 3 vehicles could have the batteries get real low or dead. Hypothetically, of course.

In that case you'd have three motorcycles with electrical problem and you should probably find the parasitic draw on each. I'm just sayin'.

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Mar 20, 2019 | 06:49 AM

#19

Greezey Rider

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcarille

There any reason not to use a smart charger ? From what I understand they only charge when needed , and do not need to be unplugged. If I'm wrong on this someone let me know..

You mean......Something like a Battery Tender?