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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 11:57 PM
  #1  
joe v's Avatar
joe v
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Default battery tender

just a question the battery tender do you use it all season long or just in the winter
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 12:08 AM
  #2  
Watkinst's Avatar
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Default RE: battery tender

I use it all season, but only if the bike will be sitting for more than a week without being ridden. Call me parinoid, but I like to have the battery fully charged when I take off for a ride, especially if I plan on being any distance from home...
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 12:15 AM
  #3  
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Default RE: battery tender

i hade the battery in my softtail go one month shy of 7 years becuse i rode it
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 12:17 AM
  #4  
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rvisdew
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Default RE: battery tender

I just use mine occassionally ... typically just before an overnighter, just to be sure ... I ride just about every week, so I'm guessing that I really don't need it at all. I think if I lived where I didn't ride for a couple of weeks (or more), I'd have it plugged in all the time ...
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 01:48 AM
  #5  
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From: Montana & Arkansas
Default RE: battery tender

If you get a tender make sure it is designed as one. Optimate Brand is a good standard to compare other ones to. Make sure it has a desulfating cycle built into the charging sequence... that really stretches the life of a battery, even if you ride very often.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 02:09 AM
  #6  
Woodchuck's Avatar
Woodchuck
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From: Vermont
Default RE: battery tender

I put it on the tender every time I park it in the shed. It usually doesn't charge long at all but it's cheap battery insurance.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 07:47 AM
  #7  
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crp5
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: SoCal
Default RE: battery tender

Haven't installed the pig tail yet on my ultra, but have used one on all previous bikes for the past 10 years. Park it, plug it in and forget it. As others have said, it's cheap insurance. Also purchased the $15 model Walmart sells for my lawn mower. I keep it plugged in over the winter and the dry season when I'm not mowing regularly.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 08:06 AM
  #8  
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berettag
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From: Reston, Virginia
Default RE: battery tender

I use a Battery Minder, which has a desulphate feature. Still have the original battery in my 2000 Ultra. Only use it in winter when I can't ride.

 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:01 AM
  #9  
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Default RE: battery tender

I plug mine in when I remember!
 
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:13 AM
  #10  
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Default RE: battery tender

when I come in and park the bike, the battery tender gets plugged in. battery is 4 years old, no problems.
 
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