Quick Battery Question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,212
From: San Diego, CA
Keeping a battery on a tender all the time will rob it's cranking power.
Like leaving a laptop plugged in all the time. New the battery would last an hour or more. After a while your lucky to get 15 minutes. Batteries develop a memory.
Check your charging system and use the tender sparingly. Your battery will last longer.
Like leaving a laptop plugged in all the time. New the battery would last an hour or more. After a while your lucky to get 15 minutes. Batteries develop a memory.
Check your charging system and use the tender sparingly. Your battery will last longer.
Laptop/phone batteries (lithium/ lithium-ion) and car/motorcycle batteries (lead acid/AGM) are two separate animals......
I believe the newer lithium-ion batteries don't develop a memory like the older ones..... but I digress.
Lead acid/AGM batteries when kept on a smart charger will benefit. When at proper voltages, it will not degrade the batteries performance but add to their longevity.
The older technology ferroresonant battery chargers (constant voltage) could overcharge and/or cook a battery if you didn't constantly check the fluid levels. The new smart chargers (bulk/absorption/float voltage) are actually good for keeping the batteries fully charged.
I have a 46' sportfishing boat with three battery banks that include a total of (4) 8D batteries and (1) 4D battery. I keep them on a 60 amp charger whenever I am dockside. With the old ferroresonant charger I would get 4 to 5 years out of a battery. With a new smart charger, I am getting 6 to 7 years out of a battery. Same max amperage charge, same batteries, same use cycle.
The Deltron battery tender (unlike some trickle chargers) is a smart charger, albeit a max 2 or 5 amp output, and has the same affect on car or motorcycle batteries.
On all my vehicles/vessels I have had longer lasting batteries when kept to 100% charge on a smart charger....
FWIW...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
If you have a true smart battery tender it will not hurt being left on charge 24/7. If it has a desulfator mode it even better. Keep mine on 24/7/365 when not riding - that's what it is for. I even hook up our vehicles once a month for 48-72 hours to give them a good saturation charge.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
Likes: 8,413
From: Utah
If you have a true smart battery tender it will not hurt being left on charge 24/7. If it has a desulfator mode it even better. Keep mine on 24/7/365 when not riding - that's what it is for. I even hook up our vehicles once a month for 48-72 hours to give them a good saturation charge.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
To the original post though. If his charging system is working properly and he rides everyday, there's no benefit or need to put it on a tender every night unless he's making very short hops. The battery should be sufficiently charged from the bikes charging system to sit overnight. The purpose of a tender on a bike is for when it's going to sit for long periods.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 337
Likes: 56
From: Joshua Tree, CA
the battery in my 07 died this spring. bought a "betcha" Yuasa off Amazon for $98, but it wouldn't hold a charge.
they sent me a replacement and everything is fine now.
maybe best not to betcha Yuasa on this batter afterall.
they sent me a replacement and everything is fine now.
maybe best not to betcha Yuasa on this batter afterall.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Road Gliderman
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
17
Feb 24, 2019 12:34 AM
