Battery Tender Really Necessary?

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Apr 23, 2014 | 12:21 PM

#41

FUBAR55

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 816

Likes: 3

From: Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMOUT

Maintaining optimum voltage/amperage in any form of battery will always prolong it's life.
I plug mine in whenever it's parked in my garage, always have.

Ditto. It takes seconds to plug in so why wouldn't I ? It can only be benificial to the battery.

Apr 23, 2014 | 12:23 PM

#42

Fillykonk

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 28

Likes: 1

From: Key West

I keep my 13 RK at a second home and only ride it on average every 2 months or so. I use a tender for it because of the down time and the security system. OTOH I have a metric v-twin at my primary home, don't use a tender and it seems to start up fine even when sitting for several weeks. Bottom line - if it gives you peace of mind to use a tender then use it. To me it's cheap insurance.

Apr 23, 2014 | 12:26 PM

#43

28INF

Novice

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

From: Pittsburgh

Works for me! Live in Northeast
... don't like riding when temps below freezing, so the tender maintains. New Harleys come prewired with a tender connect, so, apparently HD thinks it's worth it.

Apr 23, 2014 | 12:32 PM

#44

acfetber

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 183

Likes: 0

From: Bellevue Ia

I have a four bank charger 3 bikes and lawn mower are always hooked to it

Apr 23, 2014 | 02:47 PM

#45

baldguy13

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,026

Likes: 4

From: Lansing, MI

Apparently you can't buy them in California. That's because <insert joke here>.

Apr 23, 2014 | 02:51 PM

#46

cass

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,833

Likes: 35

From: Southern Maryland

once in awhile....if it labors trying to crank, I slap on the tender and she's good as new for awhile.

Apr 23, 2014 | 02:52 PM

#47

ironhead3fan

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,212

Likes: 1

From: Maryland

I have used one for the last 10 years or so, and I have found that my batteries last longer. I only use it over the winter to maintain a charge while I do not ride it in the cold winter months. It doesn't get used any other time of the year.

Apr 23, 2014 | 02:53 PM

#48

deano360

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 1,991

Likes: 9

From: washington

run it down, build it up? not a good way to get the most out of the battery

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Jun 15, 2014 | 07:25 AM

#49

Rob911

Novice

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

From: London

hi guys need some advice on this one

due to where i live i currently dont have power in my garage. my mechanic knocked up an additional connector to a deep discharge battery and ive been using the tender once a week.

how long do you think i should leave the tender on for, usually it hits the "maintain" status after an hour. at the moment im riding regular in the summer, but getting up to near my house and connected to the mains in the winter is going to be a bitch even if its once a week.