How long should a battery last?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,193
From: Maryland
Replaced the original OEM battery on my '09 Nightster at the end of 2016 (7+ years). Replacement battery is a DEKA. At the end of this year that will be another 7 years.
Haven't replaced the OEM battery yet on my '18 Heritage.
Both bikes are always (year-round) on a battery tender (BatteryMINDer® Model 1510).
Haven't replaced the OEM battery yet on my '18 Heritage.
Both bikes are always (year-round) on a battery tender (BatteryMINDer® Model 1510).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/arti...el-vs-agm.html
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,534
Likes: 8,369
From: Inland NW
Mine went flat at about 16 months, this time. Kind of disappointing, but not the end of the world.
I was pissed at my dealer, so even though it was under warranty, I did not want to hassle. Took a chance on Lithium. So far, so good at nearly 3 years.
I was pissed at my dealer, so even though it was under warranty, I did not want to hassle. Took a chance on Lithium. So far, so good at nearly 3 years.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 1,420
From: Lost
What’s up with this BatteryMinder ? My friend was saying it’s bees knees. What’s so special about them compared to regular battery tender ?
I put it my Amazon cart but wanted to know why is it special?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
Because it has pretty red and yellow lettering.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
I know a guy who swears by the desulfating ones. I tried once, but didn't work. But I also bought the cheap one where you put it on, and the use a seperate charger, not one that does it all. It was also 10 year old battery.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,193
From: Maryland
https://www.batteryminders.com/avoid-battery-sulfation/
More info on BatteryMINDer® here:
https://www.batteryminders.com/7-stage-charging/
https://www.batteryminders.com/faq-1/
Interesting article here...
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/im...-fact-fiction/
Sulfation is a thing with any lead acid battery and therefore it's prevention would be of interest. How effective the methods (pulses/high frequency techniques) are in going about that are debatable. I my view... Meh... Can't hurt to try one of these approaches. If you can choose between a unit that's offering nothing in this regard and one that offers this feature, why not try the one that has it? Hence, I bought a couple of BatteryMINDers.
One tip I read in an old Wing World article (no longer available) that might be particularly relevant to battery maintainers that don't have a desulfation feature...
A battery supplied with a constant current and held at an unwavering voltage that's less than the gassing voltage will begin to sulfate after 60 days or so. A pulsing current or some method of exercising the battery is desirable during float maintenance.
Because the float current neither exercises the battery nor has any pulsation to discourage sulfation, we recommend disconnecting this product from the stored battery for 24 hours every 60 days or so. Reconnecting the unit will then provide battery exercise.
