How Often to Charge?

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Nov 7, 2013 | 12:40 PM

#51

Boltsfaninmo

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 590

Likes: 1

From: O'Fallon, MO

I'm going to install a Whole Home back up generator so if the power goes out my BT will still work.

Nov 7, 2013 | 01:00 PM

#52

hvacgaspiping

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 32,851

Likes: 17,887

From: Newcastle, OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott01

Why should you not charge a dead battery with a tender? I've done it many times to my old truck with no problem

True; it just takes longer.

Nov 7, 2013 | 01:05 PM

#53

son of the hounds

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 5,281

Likes: 3,418

From: Idaho Panhandle

Battery tenders very rarely go bad. So it is a safe bet to leave a bike on a battery tender for extended periods of time.

I do not however leave any bike on a battery tender as many of the components are made is Asian and every once n a while one goes bad. My routine is to plug in the battery charger every two weeks or so. On all 4 bikes, it takes about 5-10 minutes to turn steady green.

If the touring bike sits for a month, it takes several hours, the others 5-10 minutes as they have no micro-amp drain to feed the security and clocks, etc.

If I had to store my bike in a out building, say a shed with power, but did not want to shovel the snow away every two weeks, I would leave it plugged into a battery tender for the winter. I feel fortunate that I may be able to get a chance to ride in almost any month, so they are in the garage ready to go.

Speaking to storage, let me say that there are only two ways to store a bike as far as I am concerned. Gas tank empty and fogged or gas tank totally filled with Startron fuel treatment added. A full tank reduces the ability of daily temperature changes to bring water vapor in contact with the surface level of gas in your tank, the Startron keeps the ethanol and existing water harmless until you can ride it again.

Vintage bikes get drained and fogged, battery removed, tenderized every two weeks. My Road King, Evo Sporty and Triumph T100 are full with Startron added, tires on plywood and ready to go should this damn rain every cease.

And that the way it is folks living at or near the Western Washington winter snow line. This and $ 4.00 will get you a good cup of Jo, so take a seat and let's see what others do to entertain themselves all winter.

Last edited by son of the hounds; Nov 19, 2013 at 08:48 AM.

Nov 7, 2013 | 01:17 PM

#54

Blue Line

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 543

Likes: 1

From: Maryland

Received a H D battery tender for Christmas in 2002, installed the pig tail directly onto the battery posts, and connected to the tender at the end of each ride, I don't disconnect untill the next ride. Never had a problem, and the factory battery stayed in the bike for 9 years. I replaced the factory battery in the summer of 2009, because I asked the service department rep. how long does a battery last, and he told me on average 5 years. The battery still works strong but I did not want to take a chance, so I decided to replaced the battery.
Best Christmas present ever, so after I traded my 2000 Night Train(fxstb), for the 2013 Road King ( by the way it comes with the tender pig tail already installed from the factory) upon arrival of my house it is connected to the tender.

Nov 7, 2013 | 01:41 PM

#55

19JMan70

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

From: LHC, AZ

Thanks!

Thank you all for the input and advice. After 19yrs, 07months, & 13 days in N. Dak AZ is a different animal.

Nov 7, 2013 | 02:25 PM

#56

NoCoLoco

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,979

Likes: 2

From: Northern Colorado

I keep my bike plugged in, but then again I don't use it everyday like my truck.

Nov 7, 2013 | 02:59 PM

#57

oakmossy

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,920

Likes: 77

From: dallas

I ride my bike at least once a week. No tender. When it sits for more than a week I charge with a .75 volt tender or a 1.25 volt tender. I never leave a tender on continuously because is unnecessary.
Ferd