14 & 15 RT's and the battery tender (battery maintainer)

[Art Mann]

One more point!

Lead-acid batteries self discharge. The rate is typically somewhere between 5% and 10% per month and it gets worse with age. Glass mat after market technology reduces the problem but doesn't eliminate it. I haven't yet measured the parasitic discharge rate on my unmodified 2014 RT-S but I suspect it will not be zero. I plan to do so in the next few days and I will report back. Even if the parasitic discharge is zero, the battery will still need charging at least once a month or so for maximum life.

 

[Bob Denman]

This could be very interesting.
Can't wait to see your results! :thumbup:
:bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[Art Mann]

The bigger units have more capability and some really cool additional features. A good friend just picked one up that does 4 batteries at once, from car to lawn mower.
However, the little Jr units do a great job with these smaller power sports batteries, especially if you only have one machine.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S

I wouldn't advise charging more than 1 battery at a time. The charging voltage profile needs to be different depending on capacity and state of charge. Battery charging is actually a pretty technical subject. I developed monitoring and charging strategies for experimental vehicles for the Army for a year or so and it took a while to come up to speed.

 

[jcthorne]

I wouldn't advise charging more than 1 battery at a time. The charging voltage profile needs to be different depending on capacity and state of charge. Battery charging is actually a pretty technical subject. I developed monitoring and charging strategies for experimental vehicles for the Army for a year or so and it took a while to come up to speed.

The larger 4 and 8 battery units provide individual battery monitoring and charging. I think some of them are actually sequential in the charging operations rather than actually charging all at once.

 

[2dogs]

Float charger

Has anyone used the little Harbor Freight float chargers that sell for $9.00? :dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

Do you have a link to them?
(Not familiar with their products...)

 

[2dogs]

Check this out

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ry/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

 

[DrewNJ]

The larger 4 and 8 battery units provide individual battery monitoring and charging. I think some of them are actually sequential in the charging operations rather than actually charging all at once.

Yep, very cool units if one is in the need for what they can do.

 

[Bob Denman]

"http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ger-42292.html"

Thanks! :thumbup:
After taking a look at it; I guess that my only reservation; would be that I've had such good luck with te Deltran Battery Tenders, that I'd hate to change brands.

 

[DrewNJ]

The HF units likely work fine. However, seeing as I have to leave it plugged in while unattended in the garage, I'd probably pony up the few extra bucks and buy name brand....

 

[Highwayman2013]

I plug our bikes in when we aren't riding them.

 

[2dogs]

HF flow charger

I’ve had several of these little tenders over the years and they seem to work ok, but all batteries go bad over time. About 3 to 4 years is all I get out of a small battery. They only carry a six-month warrantee. The sealed batteries from “Interstate” seem to last the longest and give the best performance. I’ve used these tenders mostly on small batteries like the jet ski, quad runner, lawn mower and motorcycle. The larger batteries like in the cars and the tractor, which we used more often, never need a tender. What seems to help the most on the small batteries is to remove the battery from the machine and bring them indoors if the machine is exposed to long periods of freezing temps. It’s the little guys that need the TLC.

 

[FullCircle]

I just sold a bike that I put a sealed battery on in 2001 and it was still good. I could leave the tender off for several days and it work still crank. I could leave the bike for months on the battery tender and when I wanted to ride just hit the starter and it started as if I had rode it the day before. We have two bikes we bought in 2009 and they have the oem batteries on them and they start at the first push of the starter button. My riding lawn mower has an 8 year old battery on it and it is the same way. I have battery tenders on everything that will sit a few days without being used and I never have any problems with anything starting and I VERY SELDOM have to replace a battery.

 

[palover]

I'm in south central Texas and during the winters here, we might have 30 consecutive days where I might not get on the Spyder. At what point (down time) would I need to consider putting on a tender to maintain the battery?

Thanks

I'm a firm believer in the use of Battery Tender's(jr .750amps). Immediately after riding I hook up my battery Tender. I use them on all my bikes and tractor and leave them on till riding. Once I'm home I immediately hook them up and leave them in place 24/7. Using this technique, I have had batteries last over 9 years. Remember, once a battery begins to sulfide, it is on it's way out.

 

[GunDoctor]

Oh, look a squirrel .

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Oh, look a squirrel .

:hun:

Cruzr Joe

 

[halbar]

battery tender

Ummm...no. But at least you are getting the opportunity to increase your post count...[emoji57]

And when did the topic change to discussing the machines charging system and ability to charge a battery?

The OP asked about a battery sitting for a period of time.

Again, for the $20 to purchase a tender and the short amount of time to install it, its still a good idea to use a tender on ANY machine that will see periods of downtime REGARDLESS of the type of charging system. Doesn't matter if its a car, motorcycle, spyder or even a lawn mower.

Use a tender you wont be sorry

 

[StanProff]

Do we still have reposition the fuse from slot 6 to slot 7 to have the 12 volt outlet in the trunk hot all the time on the 2014. I know I had to do this on my 2013 RT-s.

That is the simplest thing to do. I done this so I could charge my cell phone at any time with the spyder shut off. I then use a tender with a lighter plug stuck in there. super easy to move the fuse and have the 12v plug hot all the time.

 

[GunDoctor]

Would this reposition of the fuse be the same for an 2011 RSS?

 

[Bob Denman]

No; it wouldn't... :shocked: