Battery Question

[Mr. White]

When I come in after a ride, I plug my Battery Tender into the trunk outlet. The charger shows it is charging (yellow). Several hours later it is charged (green). When I plug in my Gold Wing Motor Trike, with my other BT charger, it is green and never yellow unless it sits for a number of days not on the charger.

I thought my ride would keep the RT battery somewhat charged. The RT was new in March. The only thing I know to do is check the tightness of the terminals....

It starts without any problem.

:spyder2:

 

[jnt]

Our RS is similar. So is my Beemer. No battery issues in 4 years on the Beemer, 3 years on the RS.

 

[Phil]

Hey George-
All is fine. My RT acts exactly the same way. No matter how long I ryde, when I plug in the tender to the same outlet, it goes yellow for some period of time, then green. I have no idea what the difference is between Big Red and your GW. But I CAN say that all is well.

 

[Mr. White]

Thanks. One less item to worry about.

:spyder2:

 

[Dudley]

From my experience with the 2008 SE5 (43,000 miles) and the 2010RT (11,000 Miles), if the terminals are TIGHT and the Spyder is ridden the battery is sound.

 

[AMTJIM]

Might just be the effect of a gel cell, do your other machines have gel cells?

 

[BamaSpyder]

I've had two Harleys that do the same thing with no problems.

 

[Mr. White]

Might just be the effect of a gel cell, do your other machines have gel cells?

The battery is what came in the machine when I bought it in March. I have never seen the battery...I did not know it was a gel cell. My GW is a Wal-Mart maintenance free which I change out every three years...regardless of it's strength.....cheap insurance.

 

[spydee owner]

tender

battery tender is really not necessary after every ride or at all unless you are not riding for several weeks.

 

[spyder3]

I just went 2 weeks without riding and did not charge the battery. I started it a few times, but thats it and have had no issues. I wont be on it for the next 4 days either, and it will not be started, shall see how that turns out.

I've had it for almost 2 months and never charged it. FWIW:dontknow:

 

[MMcc]

I put a digital volt meter on my GS. At the end of any ride it always shows 13.7 volts at idle. After shutdown it reads 12.8 v. If I have not riden for a few days the meter still shows 12.8 v. I see no need to use the tender unless I will not ride for a few weeks.

 

[3whlLefty]

I have left my all my cycles sit idle for as much as 3 months with no problems. I did destroy 1 battery by putting a trickle charger on it and forgetting it for um, 4 months, and it was totally dry. Oops!!

Then I learned the winter time trick of putting a trickle charger on the battery and plugging it into the automatic light on the garage door opener. A poor man's Battery Tender. Works like a charm.

 

[boborgera]

My opinion, If you put a charger [any kind] on a battery that doesn't need to be charged ; It will shorten the life of that battery.
3 + years Spyder, 6 +years dodge, 4 + years Suzuki SUV, None have been on a charger.

 

[tofriendscreek]

:agree: Never used a tender or charger on any of my vehicles or toys. In the winter the :spyder2: , tractor and ATV may sit for a month or more without being started. Never had an issue with starting. If the battery is good it doesn't need assistance.

Ford Sport Trac battery is 8 years old, tractor's is 6 years old, ATV's 6, Monte Carlo 4 and Spyder's is original.

My battery on the other hand is old enough that it demands constant tending and charging. :roflblack:

 

[Tonga]

Tender

My tender always goes red for a few minutes when I plug it in after a ride but goes green in a few minutes. The lights stay on after shut down and my cooling fan sometimes comes on as well so it doesn't take much to trigger the charger to come on, same with my car. I always use the maintainer and if I don't ride for a few days it acts like I did. Batteries last longer with the tender plugged in. Check out the benefits of tender use online.

 

[spydee owner]

tender

My opinion, If you put a charger [any kind] on a battery that doesn't need to be charged ; It will shorten the life of that battery.
3 + years Spyder, 6 +years dodge, 4 + years Suzuki SUV, None have been on a charger.

I agree. I leave the battery in the bike over the winter and start maybe once a month if it is a mild day. Same with my lawn tractor.

 

[bluestratos]

Yes, I have a very hi end battery/maintenance charger. On my last bike it would go straight to green but now I get orange for a while then on to green. This is due in part to the lights staying on after shut down and the fan running to cool down.