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Using a Battery Tender

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Old May 2, 2010 | 11:36 AM
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  #21  
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Originally Posted by cHarley
I use a Tender only if the bike is going to sit unused for more than a few of days. If the bike gets ridden regularly, keeping the battery charged won't be an issue.
 
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Old May 2, 2010 | 12:36 PM
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I have a 2010 Iron and there is a plug that looks to be for a battery tender? Is it prewired for a tender?
 
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Old May 2, 2010 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by rsp685
I have a 2010 Iron and there is a plug that looks to be for a battery tender? Is it prewired for a tender?
Not from the factory but maybe the dealer installed it.
 
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Old May 7, 2010 | 12:04 AM
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Rotate my tender between the bikes. Usually plug in one and when I ride that one, I switch the plug to the next one over and so on. Never used one before I had more than 1 bike.
 
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Old May 7, 2010 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by nvsteve
Not from the factory but maybe the dealer installed it.
Really? wow i thought they all came with them these days. every late model i've seen from a sporty to an Ultra Classic have them.
 
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Old May 7, 2010 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Cpitch
Really? wow i thought they all came with them these days. every late model i've seen from a sporty to an Ultra Classic have them.
Yup a tender is not a factory installed item (thats why they are not in service manuals). The dealers are the ones who install doodads and mods to help increase / justify their inflated prices.
 
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Old May 7, 2010 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by cHarley
I use a Tender only if the bike is going to sit unused for more than a few of days. If the bike gets ridden regularly, keeping the battery charged won't be an issue.

+1


Originally Posted by cHarley
That's an excellent way to cause the oil system to become contaminated with moisture. If you can't take it for a good 1/2+ hour ride and allow the motor to reach full temp and burn off any existing condensation in the motor, you shouldn't start it at all.

Wait till you get a chance to read this months AI magazine. The XL tech actually suggests to one of its readers to start it once a month and let it come up to operating temps.

I guess thats one way to drum up service business for dealers. lol
 
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Old May 7, 2010 | 01:44 PM
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I only use mine for winter storage. Sometimes my bikes sits for over a week during riding season since I have 2 bikes and it rain alot here in OH and I never have a dead battery. You can use it all the time if you like, but I don't like to deal with it.
 
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Old May 7, 2010 | 09:12 PM
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I attached mine to the frame and it sits outside the battery cover, so I can just attach\detach it quickly after a ride. I think it's cheap insurance for a good start.

JM2C
 
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Old May 8, 2010 | 01:05 AM
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What is the recommended position for the Battery Tender + spade? Next to the battery terminal?
Battery cable> Maxi-Fuse> Battery Tender> battery terminal ?
 
Last edited by HOG WRANGLER; May 8, 2010 at 01:12 AM.
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