Electrical/Battery Question.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
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Electrical/Battery Question.
Good day; All.
I have regularly read of riders putting their battery tender's on their bikes when their bikes aren't used for a few days. Since all batteries are constructed the same way; I would like to know why a car can set for weeks and nobody worries about their battery discharging; but on a motorcycle a few days of sitting idle and the battery tender is hooked up.
Most cars have more electrical draws, (clocks,etc.) off the idle battery than a motorcycle which would cause more of a discharge on the vehicle battery than on the motorcycle.
Is there a simple reason, that I've overlooked, for hooking up the battery tender so quickly or is it a preventive measure for most?
Thanks guys and safe riding.
I have regularly read of riders putting their battery tender's on their bikes when their bikes aren't used for a few days. Since all batteries are constructed the same way; I would like to know why a car can set for weeks and nobody worries about their battery discharging; but on a motorcycle a few days of sitting idle and the battery tender is hooked up.
Most cars have more electrical draws, (clocks,etc.) off the idle battery than a motorcycle which would cause more of a discharge on the vehicle battery than on the motorcycle.
Is there a simple reason, that I've overlooked, for hooking up the battery tender so quickly or is it a preventive measure for most?
Thanks guys and safe riding.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Many bikes don't get used as regularly as cars, so actually stand around idle a lot longer, especially during winter. So for those owners a tender represents a very sensible choice. Some years ago I had a battery on a new bike fail at only 6 months, after a short period of not using it.
Out of that common sense situation a significant market for tenders has grown, so it is no surprise many more owners use them routinely - including me! I have three of them.
Out of that common sense situation a significant market for tenders has grown, so it is no surprise many more owners use them routinely - including me! I have three of them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
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From: Southern Oregon
I usually dont use a tender unless my bike has sat idle for at least a couple of weeks. The last time I plugged mine in after sitting for 5 days it only charged for 3 minutes. All batteries are not the same, ie: lead acid, agm, lithium, ect...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I have 8 cars...alot of them have tender wires hanging out of them.
my neighbor calls it "life support".
same with my bkes.
with that many vehicles ( and just bought another yesterday- awaiting delivery) none of them gets used alot...especially since I am on the road about 7 months of the year.
automotive batteries are physically larger- and have more storeage capacity, measured in amp hours.
aside from slight drains such as alarms and clocks, dirt on the battery can allow current to drain.
keep it clean!
Mike
ps if anyone likes Volvo Bertone Coupes I have 2 project cars for sale
my neighbor calls it "life support".
same with my bkes.
with that many vehicles ( and just bought another yesterday- awaiting delivery) none of them gets used alot...especially since I am on the road about 7 months of the year.
automotive batteries are physically larger- and have more storeage capacity, measured in amp hours.
aside from slight drains such as alarms and clocks, dirt on the battery can allow current to drain.
keep it clean!
Mike
ps if anyone likes Volvo Bertone Coupes I have 2 project cars for sale
Last edited by mkguitar; Aug 31, 2013 at 12:16 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Cary NC
I've used tenders (ie not trickle chargers) on every vehicle I've owned for 20 years. I've never (really never) had to replace a battery. Quite a few vehicles come with tenders, and my HD dealer provides them with every 'bike.
Some cars, eg the Ferrari 458, sit around thinking a lot, and won't start if you leave them off the tender for as little as 5 days.
Some cars, eg the Ferrari 458, sit around thinking a lot, and won't start if you leave them off the tender for as little as 5 days.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Nevada
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Londonderry, NH
Good day; All.
I have regularly read of riders putting their battery tender's on their bikes when their bikes aren't used for a few days. Since all batteries are constructed the same way; I would like to know why a car can set for weeks and nobody worries about their battery discharging; but on a motorcycle a few days of sitting idle and the battery tender is hooked up.
Most cars have more electrical draws, (clocks,etc.) off the idle battery than a motorcycle which would cause more of a discharge on the vehicle battery than on the motorcycle.
Is there a simple reason, that I've overlooked, for hooking up the battery tender so quickly or is it a preventive measure for most?
Thanks guys and safe riding.
I have regularly read of riders putting their battery tender's on their bikes when their bikes aren't used for a few days. Since all batteries are constructed the same way; I would like to know why a car can set for weeks and nobody worries about their battery discharging; but on a motorcycle a few days of sitting idle and the battery tender is hooked up.
Most cars have more electrical draws, (clocks,etc.) off the idle battery than a motorcycle which would cause more of a discharge on the vehicle battery than on the motorcycle.
Is there a simple reason, that I've overlooked, for hooking up the battery tender so quickly or is it a preventive measure for most?
Thanks guys and safe riding.
I have 3 bikes and if I'm not using one for a while (3-4 weeks) I plug it into a tender to keep it charged. I do get pretty good lifetimes out of most batteries.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Oklahoma
The "typical" car battery is around 70 amp hours, typical Harley battery is 30 or slightly less. If you have a fancy scooter you are running a clock, computer memory and radio memory, the SAME as a car battery and the car battery has more then twice the capacity. Cranking that V twin through the first compression stroke draws a lot out of that little battery and unless you drive a long way before the final shut down, the battery won't get fully charged. I frequently stop for gas on the way home so there is anywhere between 0.5 miles to about 3 miles from the last start to recharge the battery, not nearly enough. If you, on the other hand, put away your bike after a 20 to 30 mile ride your battery should be pretty well charged full.
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