Battery Tender
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,320
Likes: 56,880
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
http://www.batterytender.com/Float-Charging/
According to this it's no big deal. See the second paragraph and the last paragraph.
According to this it's no big deal. See the second paragraph and the last paragraph.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 668
Likes: 72
From: Wisconsin
Here is my understanding. It should be a givin no two bike are the same. Newer bikes with a security system are ALWAYS draining. These need a tender on them if not used for a while. Older bikes only if stored for a very long time need a tender. ALL battery's that are over charged will hurt or kill/shorten the life of a battery. If the charger/tender does not have the ability to monitor the charge it is probley causing harm to the battery. If somebody says I have used blah blah for years and it has worked just fine. Well. That's like the old lady who has smoked two packs a day and never got cancer. Good for you! Short story. Used a charger/trickle charger on an old 1993. When I replaced the battery I had it checked. Cranking amps were low charge was off the charts. "bad battery" This is what OVER charging causes. Keep these two things separate. Maintaining is different from over charging. Good luck! Experience and science. Always a good thing. Peace
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Pollock La
here are some more options as for the tender. I have the Black and Decker and it works very well on the bike, the rzr and the lawn mower.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/21721663?w...055512&veh=sem
Here is another one that is just about the same, just a Stanley
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-2-...arger/14560006
http://www.walmart.com/ip/21721663?w...055512&veh=sem
Here is another one that is just about the same, just a Stanley
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-2-...arger/14560006
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 13
From: Southeast WI
I keep a H-D battery tender plugged into my 2013 RGC at all times when its in the garage. My Softail on the other hand has a lithium iron battery and there is nothing running to draw the battery down, so no battery tender is ever needed...not even over the winter.
I have had my 2010 limited on a trickle charger for 5 years during these past winters and no issues. I replaced the battery this past summer and still put it on the trickle, I figured it cant hurt while I am gone. Dont really know how it could hurt it as it does not stay on all the time or at least I dont think it does. I could possibly see how a battery might be damaged if it was constantly being charged.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
This is a superior Tender, that includes a temperature sensor, and polarity protection.
http://www.batteryminders.com/12-vol...esfulator-1500
I have an older version. It came with a free digital multimeter. I just hook it up one day a month, then take it off. I have a friend who did fry his battery by leaving a Battery Tender on all Winter.
http://www.batteryminders.com/12-vol...esfulator-1500
I have an older version. It came with a free digital multimeter. I just hook it up one day a month, then take it off. I have a friend who did fry his battery by leaving a Battery Tender on all Winter.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,492
From: Western South Dakota
I use BatteryMINDerŽ Plus . Very happy with it.
If bike is home in the garage no matter the season, it's on the tender.
BatteryMINDer Plus 12 Volt 1.3 Amp Battery Charger
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
I have the Yuasa 1.5 mentioned here:
http://archives.wingworldmag.com/aug...e/battery.html
Yuasa has quit producing these excellent 5 phase tenders and make only the smaller, more price competitive units now but you can still find the 5 phase 1.5's if you check around. "Excellent product", from a company that primarily makes batteries.
https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/yua...y-charger.html
http://archives.wingworldmag.com/aug...e/battery.html
Yuasa has quit producing these excellent 5 phase tenders and make only the smaller, more price competitive units now but you can still find the 5 phase 1.5's if you check around. "Excellent product", from a company that primarily makes batteries.
https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/yua...y-charger.html
Last edited by HKMark23; Mar 12, 2016 at 06:36 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 669
From: Rolla
This is all you need. Available for under $30 at many places. Good for auto batteries too.
http://www.batterytender.com/Dion/Ba...12V-0-75A.html
http://www.batterytender.com/Dion/Ba...12V-0-75A.html
The link you posted says "NOT FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA OR OREGON"
Can someone from one of those states shed any light on that statement?
I notice most of the models listed have that statement, but the higher end ones don't say that.
Whats up with that?