Using a battery tender on a 2013 FLHTK
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: NH
The first thing I noticed when I looked through the manual for my new street glide is a note stating that normal trickle chargers can't be used with the batteries on a harley. I found that really strange and have been meaning to get comments from other riders as this is my first Harley.
So is that legit, or just an attempt to get more money by making me buy a charger with HD branded on the side? The one I have has a 10amp quick charge, and a 2amp trickle setting. Used it for 10 years w/ my Yamaha...
I've been wondering what to do w/ winter months in New England around the corner (though I do get out in the cold w/ my heated gear- it's usually only road conditions that will side line me for extended periods)
So is that legit, or just an attempt to get more money by making me buy a charger with HD branded on the side? The one I have has a 10amp quick charge, and a 2amp trickle setting. Used it for 10 years w/ my Yamaha...
I've been wondering what to do w/ winter months in New England around the corner (though I do get out in the cold w/ my heated gear- it's usually only road conditions that will side line me for extended periods)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
The first thing I noticed when I looked through the manual for my new street glide is a note stating that normal trickle chargers can't be used with the batteries on a harley. I found that really strange and have been meaning to get comments from other riders as this is my first Harley.
So is that legit, or just an attempt to get more money by making me buy a charger with HD branded on the side? The one I have has a 10amp quick charge, and a 2amp trickle setting. Used it for 10 years w/ my Yamaha...
I've been wondering what to do w/ winter months in New England around the corner (though I do get out in the cold w/ my heated gear- it's usually only road conditions that will side line me for extended periods)
So is that legit, or just an attempt to get more money by making me buy a charger with HD branded on the side? The one I have has a 10amp quick charge, and a 2amp trickle setting. Used it for 10 years w/ my Yamaha...
I've been wondering what to do w/ winter months in New England around the corner (though I do get out in the cold w/ my heated gear- it's usually only road conditions that will side line me for extended periods)
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 8
From: New Jersey
lol same here! it would actually have to sit for it to lose its charge!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
The first thing I noticed when I looked through the manual for my new street glide is a note stating that normal trickle chargers can't be used with the batteries on a harley. I found that really strange and have been meaning to get comments from other riders as this is my first Harley.
So is that legit, or just an attempt to get more money by making me buy a charger with HD branded on the side? The one I have has a 10amp quick charge, and a 2amp trickle setting. Used it for 10 years w/ my Yamaha...
I've been wondering what to do w/ winter months in New England around the corner (though I do get out in the cold w/ my heated gear- it's usually only road conditions that will side line me for extended periods)
So is that legit, or just an attempt to get more money by making me buy a charger with HD branded on the side? The one I have has a 10amp quick charge, and a 2amp trickle setting. Used it for 10 years w/ my Yamaha...
I've been wondering what to do w/ winter months in New England around the corner (though I do get out in the cold w/ my heated gear- it's usually only road conditions that will side line me for extended periods)
I've had the same issues with the new AGM batteries. C-Tec chargers will work just fine.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I use my battery tender when I'm in my garage working and I want to listen to the bike's radio. Like today - I'm going out to detail the bike so I'll hook up the tender and crank the radio. That's about the only time I ever use either the radio on the bike or the battery tender.
The only exception is since I have two bikes, it's not all that uncommon for one of them to sit for a few weeks at a time in which case I'll throw the tender on the sitting bike for a day periodically.
I'm definitely not in the "use the tender religiously" group.
The only exception is since I have two bikes, it's not all that uncommon for one of them to sit for a few weeks at a time in which case I'll throw the tender on the sitting bike for a day periodically.
I'm definitely not in the "use the tender religiously" group.
Last edited by 2black1s; Sep 5, 2012 at 04:21 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 2
From: Springfield Ohio
There's nothing new about the batteries. I suspect this is just a recycled CYA statement from the days when we would hook up a charger and forget about it until the battery was cooked dry. Most any brand name charger these days will monitor the charge condition and adjust itself accordingly whether the battery design is wet cell, gel cell, spiral cell... its all still lead-acid technology at its core.