I thought my 08 Ultra battery died. I bought a new one but before I got it I changed I tried charging the old one. It held a charge and since then I traded. Will the new battery be ok on the shelf or will I need to put it on a battery tender? If I don't put it on a battery tender will the battery have a longer shelf life?
Thanks

 

Put a battery tender on it! Batteries lose about 1% of Thier charge daily just setting.

 

Thy also need to be exercised. Sitting indefintely at a float charge will eventually decrease their capacity.

 

I have always made sure a battery was stored on a piece of wood. Always heard the concrete floor would drain them. Not sure if this is true, but made me feel better with it sitting on a 2x6.

 

That was for the old old batteries that didn't have the new cases. The electrolyte would molecularly weep through the case and basically create a short and drain the battery on a concrete floor. Or so it was explained to me.

 

My '04 FLHRI.. still has the original battery,35000 HARD miles, tender on it every three weeks between 2 other bikes-i alternate each bike each week on the tender----my tender OPTIMATE, belgum technology

make sure you store that extra battery on some wood in room temperature.

 

Some kind of battery tender will do it.

 

Thanks for the good advise. I have the battery stored in its original box on a wooden shelf. I will put the battery tender on it today.

 

Just replaced mine after 5 years on my 07 UC what a difference in starting on this new battery vs old one with trickle charger.Most of my friends been telling me since last year to get a new one or you are going to sorry *** some where on the road.

 

Saw the new Shorai-proprietary eXtreme-Rate Lithium Iron prismatic cells battery. It is quite impressive:

Ultra light. One Fifth the weight of lead-acid batteries on average
Zero sulfation, for longer service life
Holds unloaded charge for one year without maintenance
Military spec Carbon Composite Case
Faster cranking for better starts
Super-fast recharge rate
No explosive gasses during charge, no lead, no acid
Environmentally friendly
Two-Year Warranty!

http://www.shoraipower.com/s-237632-FLH-Touring.aspx