How often do you use your Battery Tender, if you ride a lot ?

[jaherbst]

So do you just have to open the battery compartment and test it with the voltmeter?

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Select 12 volts on the Voltmeter and touch each battery post. (one on neg. and one on pos.) Should read about 13.5-13.7 volts if fully charged and charging for a good battery.

​Jack

[cognaccruiser]

Well there are two opposing views. I do pretty much what SPIDERMAN does, but I'm wondering how many folks unplug their battery maintainer when away from home. I've never heard of potential fire problems on any of the better units that have a "float mode".

I'm pretty sure he means that when on the road traveling with the Spyder it isn't plugged in. Not that there is a fire hazard and he unplugs it while away. The only time mine aren't plugged in is while we are away riding.

I sit in the camp of always plugging it in when not in use. Yes using the Spyder 5 days a week will keep the battery nicely charged but it is just a good habit to get into. Past bikes have been kept this way and I've never had to replace a battery. My Venture was 8 years old with the original battery and the battery was in great shape.
Also agree that it fights sulfation as PMK stated. That is the whole point of a "maintainer".

Gary

[Pirate looks at --]

Well our Ryding season is short only from January 1 to December 31st, so we really have no use for a battery maintainer! We do that by Ryding!

[robmorg]

I'm pretty sure he means that when on the road traveling with the Spyder it isn't plugged in. Not that there is a fire hazard and he unplugs it while away. The only time mine aren't plugged in is while we are away riding.

Gary

Yeah, you're probably right. I just assumed otherwise, since that would be the case with me. Wife and I like to get away with the RV and unfortunately I cannot take the Spyder along.

[Bob Denman]

Here's my take, to add to the mix...

Twins = Tender
Triples = Tough - "not so tender"

The triples have a higher capacity proper alternator; the twins have a stator thing which doesn't start recharging the battery until 3500 revs.

I found that whenever I plugged-in my 2010: it would take a charge for at least a good half-hour or so.
My 2014 seems to NEVER need to go into a charging mode.
(Although I did test it, by leaving it unplugged for a Month during one Winter: it charged for about fifteen minutes.)

[Aracknoid]

So do you just have to open the battery compartment and test it with the voltmeter?

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Volt tester are not good for checking the condiion of the battery, It will tell you the voltage. A true battery load tester is needed to test the battery under load. This will simulate the load placed on the battery when, the started is used. lights turned on and or when the systems starts up.

Good Luck

[Belrix]

Volt tester are not good for checking the condiion of the battery, It will tell you the voltage. A true battery load tester is needed to test the battery under load. This will simulate the load placed on the battery when, the started is used. lights turned on and or when the systems starts up.

Good Luck

It's not good for checking the quality of the battery (unless it's low when the bike is off) but it is a pretty quick test for the quality of the charging circuit. If you're near 14v when charging, bike on, then the alternator/stator/regulator is probably OK.

[MouthPiece]

I never used my battery tender plus on either my 2010 or 2013 RT-S. With that said I can't recall having a week pass by without having ridden it.

Chris

[Devious56]

I've been using a Battery Tender for about 30 years now, ever since Harley gave me on free with the purchase of a motorcycle. At first I just used it every once in a while, and was getting about 3 or 4 years battery life. Deltran (the maker of the Battery Tender) told me I'd do better if I used it when ever I wasn't riding. I didn't have anything to loose so I tried their suggestion, and son of a gun, I started getting 7 to 8 years of battery life. Today, all of my vehicles (and boat) are on Tenders when sitting at home. Heck, what do I have to lose?

David

[ES44AC]

Thanks for the replies! Lots of good info.

[hecoon]

everyday it doesn't rain never 09 rs 73000 miles

replced battery in 2013 just cause

[Johnny_Swindle]

I use it daily.....sometimes it may be a week or two between rides.

[jaherbst]

Well I have not had my BT hooked up at all. We ride here year round. I do have heated gear for winter and a adapter to plug in the BT to the heated gear outlet. I can plug in there since the heated gear comes directly off the battery. Have not had occasion to use it.

Most batteries do not last more than 2-4 years here because of the heat. I replace my auto batteries every three years and all the toys when needed.

Jack

[ShortCake]

I just purchased my RT-S in June. Longest I have gone without riding her was 2 weeks when we had heat index's over 110. Started right up no issues. I also live in a townhome and the bike is parked on my cement patio out back with no electrical outlet for a tender. Also, a neighbor of mine used a solar one and it got stolen so that's out of the question.. Either way, it is what it is and the battery will be on a tender for the winter months when in storage (or remove battery and use tender on it in the basement).