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Battery tender

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  #11  
Old 04-20-2019, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by NCBANDIT
I never use one and ride at least every couple weeks. I seem to get around 3 years out of them. I would rather spend $100.00 every 3 years than have to plug the thing in after every ride.
plugging in is really no big deal.
 
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  #12  
Old 04-20-2019, 08:45 AM
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Thats what we use the tenders for to help maintain the charge on the battery during winter months and when were not riding a lot.
 
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Old 04-20-2019, 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by firehawk6
To me, it's called a battery TENDER for a reason, to constantly maintain a battery at full charge without over charging it. It's my understanding a lead acid battery prefers to be kept at full charge or it will slowly begin to sulfate, while a lithium prefers to be 'stored' at around half charge. Notice I said 'stored'.

FWIW, mine is plugged in to a tender 24/7 unless it's being ridden. First time I've ever heard of a properly functioning tender supposedly 'killing' a battery, and I'm curious as to how he/she would even know that, and what they're basing that on.
he was just checking the voltage as part of my 20K service. He said I was running low. I have the Harley battery tender also as recommended by the manufacturer. That was probably my first mistake lol.
 
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Old 04-20-2019, 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Kingface
During the winter I plug one bike in for a week then switch to my other bike for a week and keep alternating. Starts right up in the Spring (Long Winters here in Maine too). During the riding season I only plug one in if it is going to sit for a week. Plugging them in after every ride doesn't seem like it would have any real benefit. Do you plug your car/truck in every day?
Lol no I don’t
 
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  #15  
Old 04-20-2019, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by EdsRoadGlide2017
he was just checking the voltage as part of my 20K service. He said I was running low. I have the Harley battery tender also as recommended by the manufacturer. That was probably my first mistake lol.
It could be the battery is just going south, and the tender has had nothing to do with it. Obviously I wasn't there, and I'm not a Harley tech but, so many urban myths about this and that out there that some old schoolers (is that a word) still believe in. I just wonder what he's basing that diagnosis on? Enquiring minds need to know...
 
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Old 04-20-2019, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by EdsRoadGlide2017
I just took my 2017 RG for 20K service to an independent shop. The tech told me I was killing my battery and asked if I plugged it into a tender. I said yes at the end of every day of riding. He told me bad idea. If I’m riding at least once a week leave it off. I always thought it was a good thing to plug in. I swore it saved me on my Honda when I left the key on for 90 minutes and the bike fired right up. What do you all think?
Did the tech say HOW the BT was killing your battery?
Granted you do not need BT if you ride weekly but no way a render will KILL a battery. Not even if plugged in for a year.
 
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  #17  
Old 04-20-2019, 11:30 AM
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I use a cTek brand battery conditioner on all my toys. Even the freaking lawnmower. Because nothing pisses me off more than a dead lawnmower battery out in the middle of a field or stuffed in my shed.
 
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  #18  
Old 04-20-2019, 11:53 AM
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So if you're on the road for two weeks and staying in motels or camping do you plug your bike in at night? Maybe run a cord from the motel bathroom? I don't get it, tenders are not meant for everyday use during the riding season. Have some faith guys
 
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Old 04-20-2019, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Grouser62
So if you're on the road for two weeks and staying in motels or camping do you plug your bike in at night? Maybe run a cord from the motel bathroom? I don't get it, tenders are not meant for everyday use during the riding season. Have some faith guys
True, maybe it's not absolutely necessary to plug in each day during riding season, but it's also true you won't harm your battery by doing so.

So I'd have to say the tech who was advising the OP is FOS.
 
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Old 04-20-2019, 12:28 PM
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I don't know squat about batteries but one thing I do notice is these kids who plug their cell phones in three times a day for 20 minutes at a time end up with phone batteries that don't hold a charge. I know technology has changed but I always thought it was good for a battery to be run down to a point and then be fully charged back up. That's what I do with my smartphone and after five years it still holds a charge for 48 hours of use. But like I said I don't know too much about it
 
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