Portable battery tender
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2022
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From: Alexandria, VA
Portable battery tender
I am thinking about buying a very nice, very custom '95 Springer Softail. It's a beautiful bike and the price is right, but this would not be an everyday riding bike -- this would be the bike to break out every now and then for easy cruising on pretty days, parades, etc. So, I would want to keep it on a battery tender. The problem is that while I have well-protected covered parking, I do not have power in the parking area. Seems to me it would be relatively easy to set up a battery tender using a deep-cycle battery, or even a lithium battery as a power source to keep the the bike battery in good shape.
Anyone out there done something like this? Seems like it should be simple, but I want it to be efficient, and I don't want to fry anything.
Anyone out there done something like this? Seems like it should be simple, but I want it to be efficient, and I don't want to fry anything.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Eastern Ohio
I have a Harbor Freight solar panel attached to a Battery tender brand solar charge controller. It keeps my winch battery charged on my car trailer.
How would you keep the big battery charged?
How would you keep the big battery charged?
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2022
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From: Alexandria, VA
Big battery would go inside at intervals to get topped off (that's part of the reason lithium would be nice -- lightweight.)
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
I am thinking about buying a very nice, very custom '95 Springer Softail. It's a beautiful bike and the price is right, but this would not be an everyday riding bike -- this would be the bike to break out every now and then for easy cruising on pretty days, parades, etc. So, I would want to keep it on a battery tender. The problem is that while I have well-protected covered parking, I do not have power in the parking area. Seems to me it would be relatively easy to set up a battery tender using a deep-cycle battery, or even a lithium battery as a power source to keep the the bike battery in good shape.
Anyone out there done something like this? Seems like it should be simple, but I want it to be efficient, and I don't want to fry anything.
Anyone out there done something like this? Seems like it should be simple, but I want it to be efficient, and I don't want to fry anything.
IMHO, using a battery, to maintain a battery would be a hassle. You'd need to eventually hook up one of the batteries to a 110V source to recharge it....
Why not go solar...?
You could research some various brands and get a standalone system like these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Renogy-1...10BM/315503043
Or you could get a good quality Deltran battery maintainer (smart charger) like this one for $25-$30, then add a 10 watt solar panel ($25ish).
https://www.zoro.com/battery-tender-...specifications
Good luck with your battery charging decision...
Last edited by hattitude; May 9, 2024 at 08:45 AM.
Grand HDF Member
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From: Eastern Ohio
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Tourer
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It's a condo, so I can't string wires . . .
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From: backwoods
If you know when you are going to ride it, just charge it as said. My bikes in winter are not on tender, they go 6 weeks without being charged, and just charge the night before a ride.
That evo without a fob or any security draining battery would probably last longer than you think without a charge. If you are riding it every 3-4 weeks you might be fine. In the spring 3 weeks is not unusual to sit in garage.
That evo without a fob or any security draining battery would probably last longer than you think without a charge. If you are riding it every 3-4 weeks you might be fine. In the spring 3 weeks is not unusual to sit in garage.