Battery tender Question ???
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
Battery Tender = Good
Trickle Charger = BAD
Bottom line is that if it's got circuitry to monitor your battery's state of charge you'll be fine. The old school trickle chargers have a steady current flowing, which can (and usually does) reduce battery life over time. I'm kinda surprised there's even a market for trickle chargers any more...
Trickle Charger = BAD
Bottom line is that if it's got circuitry to monitor your battery's state of charge you'll be fine. The old school trickle chargers have a steady current flowing, which can (and usually does) reduce battery life over time. I'm kinda surprised there's even a market for trickle chargers any more...
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 15
From: Virginia
The battery tender charges the battery until it is at a full charge. It then stops charging and monitors the the battery. If/when the battery falls below full charge the battery tender will automatically kick back in, bring the battery back to a full charge, cut itself back off and go back into monitoring the battery again. This should not cause shorter battery life.
A trickle charger will bring the battery to a full charge as well, but does not cut off when the battery reaches a full charge. It continues to place a trickle charge on the battery which will shorten the battery life.
A trickle charger will bring the battery to a full charge as well, but does not cut off when the battery reaches a full charge. It continues to place a trickle charge on the battery which will shorten the battery life.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
If you want to take good care of your battery ... I recommend the Optimate4 (CAN-bus edition). Warranted for 3 years. Yes, it's a charger / tester ... but it's also recommended for long term maintenance.
http://tecmate.com/wp-content/upload...EN-NA-LRv1.pdf
http://tecmate.com/wp-content/upload...EN-NA-LRv1.pdf
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,828
Likes: 7,967
From: poway
Any dealer rep or mechanic that told me that, would just lose all credibility from that point on.
My Corvette stays plugged in pretty much all winter, as I haven't driven it much over the last few years.
The Street Glide is also plugged in most of the winter. But if the temps allow, I will get it out once in awhile during the winter.
My Corvette stays plugged in pretty much all winter, as I haven't driven it much over the last few years.
The Street Glide is also plugged in most of the winter. But if the temps allow, I will get it out once in awhile during the winter.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 668
From: Rolla
Not for you what?
Wet cells, dry cells, it makes no difference.
A battery tender or other "smart charger" (in proper working condition) will not cause any harm to a battery if connected for long periods of time.
Don't confuse a battery tender with a trickle charger.
Wet cells, dry cells, it makes no difference.
A battery tender or other "smart charger" (in proper working condition) will not cause any harm to a battery if connected for long periods of time.
Don't confuse a battery tender with a trickle charger.
