Battery Tender Question

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Nov 5, 2008 | 09:46 PM

Gumby256

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Cruiser

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 233

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From: Johnson City, NY

Battery Tender Question

I've got a 2009 Ultra Classic on order and I'm planning accessories! I'd like to get a battery tender but I'm not sure which one to get. Based on the barrey tender selection guide I need to know what kind of battery... A link to the web page -> http://batterytender.com/selection_guide.php

It states:
"either flooded (standard STD), sealed maintenance free Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), or sealed maintenance free gelled electrolyte (GEL) batteries"

Does anyone know which type of battery is in an '09 Ultra? If it is a Gel supposidly you need a tender with different software?

BTW - Ordered red-hot sunglow w/ security and ABS and it was suppose to ship to the dealer today!!!

Nov 5, 2008 | 10:33 PM

Ruger

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 76

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From: Bellingham, WA

Got mine @ walmart

All I can add to this is that the maintainer the HD dealer sells for $40 is the same type I got at walmart for $19. Not knocking the dealer, but a new battery for my 89 fxsts is only $42.95 @ walmart.

Nov 5, 2008 | 10:35 PM

rydermike

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Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,460

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From: pasco county FL

Dosen't an Ultra come with one ( along with ONE damn headset for communication , like u can talk to the bitch seat rider without a 2nd one?)at least my 2007 did . Then again the dealer also give 1000 mile service for free too.

Nov 5, 2008 | 11:13 PM

lh4x4

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 13,402

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From: Illinois

I have 4 motorcycles and 3 sport cars hooked up to tenders. Also. a trolling motor battery, a spare cycle battery and the standby battery for the trailer brakes. All are the under $20 Schumacker 1.5 amp from Wal-Mart.

Two of the batteries are 8 years old and going strong. the others range from 2 to 4 years old.
Some one the vehicles set for 6 months. They are going to be put away this weekend for the winter. They will come out in April-May.

The best recommendation is to use no more than 1.5 amps. And most important to the life of the battery is do unplug the tender when you leave the garage and plug it in when you return.

The 07 FXSTC battery is about 28 months old. My oldest motorcycle battery is a mid 01 and is as strong as new. My son was concerned that it would fail on me so for X-mas two years ago he bought me a new one. I had to get another tender for it. But three of the cycles take the same battery. Maybe some day I will need it.

I swear by tenders. The discharge/charge cycling of a battery slowing kills it. Mine never have a chance to discharge at all.

Nov 5, 2008 | 11:21 PM

03ultra100th

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Joined: Apr 2007

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I think all the newer bikes use an AGM battery, absorbed glass mat. I use a battery tender junior on all my stuff, two bikes, mower, etc. Ultra is 6 years old with original battery. Keep it plugged in all the time at home. A good investment, about $35 with two sets of pig tails, one bolt on and one with aligator clips.

Nov 5, 2008 | 11:24 PM

Medicfrost

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,649

Likes: 4

From: Celebration, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by lh4x4

And most important to the life of the battery is do unplug the tender when you leave the garage and plug it in when you return.

That is also important for the life of the charger. They don't do too well being dragged down the road.

Nov 5, 2008 | 11:31 PM

goodbirds

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 2,395

Likes: 25

From: St George, UT

I have the Battery Tender Junior. It recharges and then "floats" the trickle, which I think means it will discharge a bit then recharge automatically. I use it mostly in the winter if the bike sits more than a few days. I use the bike virtually every day so I don't keep the tender on it.

My 02 Ultra's battery got a bit weak, and the tender kept it going until I could budget in a new battery. And, yes, they are sealed gel batteries. My dealer installs the pigtail SAE connector on all their bikes during setup, so its just a matter of buying a tender. Good investment.