Battery tender? Looking for recommended

[WackyDan]

Looking for recommended brands and models of battery tenders. Seems to be a million out there that range from dirt cheap to pricey. Price isn't an issue, but I want one that works, is reliable, and maybe offers some sort of extra feature that is useful.

Here in Charlotte, I expect that I'll be able to get out and ride even through the winter - though that will be completely random. This coming winter is looking to be a bit colder than normal, so I may not be able to get out as often as I think.

I plan on using an unswitched powerlet outlet to feed the battery.

So, are there any brands to stay away from and any brands that are good/better? ANy features that I need? I'm pretty familiar with regular chargers and lead acid batteries, but not sure if the same conditioning options, etc apply to gel type batteries like found in the Spyder.

 

[j45p3r]

I'm going to use the Battery Tender Jr which I've never heard anything bad about.

 

[Sarge707]

I have used 2 Schumacher 1.5 Amp Maintainers on my Jet Ski batteries for years without problems. $19.95 at Walmart? It shows charging yellow , Charged Green, and Problem Red and it will detect a problem as I had one battery that had a bad cell and it indicated it! Made in USA.

 

[NancysToy]

The best charger/maintainer out there is probably the Xtreme that NoMagicNeon sells. Next is the Optimate, which can also desulfate and renew a marginal battery. The standard Battery Tender (TM) and the Accumate are excellent, and have sophisticated maintenance modes that don't damage batteries or cause sulphation. The Battery Tender Jr. is great, but not quite as smart. I have also used the Schumacher, with mixed results. Whatever you do, get one that specifically states it is for motorcycle batteries (and not in Chinese). I personally have an Optimate, two Accumates, two Battery Tender Jr., and two Schumachers of different amperages. Maybe I'll get lucky and get an Xtreme for Christmas.

 

[gnkc]

The best charger/maintainer out there is probably the Xtreme that NoMagicNeon sells. Next is the Optimate, which can also desulfate and renew a marginal battery. The standard Battery Tender (TM) and the Accumate are excellent, and have sophisticated maintenance modes that don't damage batteries or cause sulphation. The Battery Tender Jr. is great, but not quite as smart. I have also used the Schumacher, with mixed results. Whatever you do, get one that specifically states it is for motorcycle batteries (and not in Chinese). I personally have an Optimate, two Accumates, two Battery Tender Jr., and two Schumachers of different amperages. Maybe I'll get lucky and get an Xtreme for Christmas.

I ordered the Xtreme charger and it showed up today. It is the yellow one for motorcycles. I haven't tried it yet but it looks to be very heavy duty and the bottom of the case is rubber so it won't scoot around on the floor. Five year warranty. Hate to say it Scotty, but the box says Made in China.

 

[WackyDan]

I ordered the Xtreme charger and it showed up today. It is the yellow one for motorcycles. I haven't tried it yet but it looks to be very heavy duty and the bottom of the case is rubber so it won't scoot around on the floor. Five year warranty. Hate to say it Scotty, but the box says Made in China.

Well... I work for a Chinese company... So no skin off my teeth. *Though I do try to buy "Made in USA" where I can.

 

[johnandginger]

The best charger/maintainer out there is probably the Xtreme that NoMagicNeon sells. Next is the Optimate, which can also desulfate and renew a marginal battery. The standard Battery Tender (TM) and the Accumate are excellent, and have sophisticated maintenance modes that don't damage batteries or cause sulphation. The Battery Tender Jr. is great, but not quite as smart. I have also used the Schumacher, with mixed results. Whatever you do, get one that specifically states it is for motorcycle batteries (and not in Chinese). I personally have an Optimate, two Accumates, two Battery Tender Jr., and two Schumachers of different amperages. Maybe I'll get lucky and get an Xtreme for Christmas.

Battery Tender here,had for 4 years no problems yet (smart one will not overcharge battery-maintains full charge all winter long )

 

[NancysToy]

Well... I work for a Chinese company... So no skin off my teeth. *Though I do try to buy "Made in USA" where I can.

Yeah, but did it say "Made for Motorcycle Use" in Chinese? :roflblack:

 

[Questions]

Battery Tender Plus

This is my first post so here it goes. I have used the Battery Tender Plus on 4 of my previous bikes and now using it on my Spyder. Can't say enough good about it. If the bike is in the garage it's on the charger.

 

[bone crusher]

battery tender...go to Amazon...with prime is only like 40.00...at least that's what it was last year...thing is small and works great!

 

[Roaddog2]

This is my first post so here it goes. I have used the Battery Tender Plus on 4 of my previous bikes and now using it on my Spyder. Can't say enough good about it. If the bike is in the garage it's on the charger.

welcome:thumbup:

 

[Trickie Dick]

This is my first post so here it goes. I have used the Battery Tender Plus on 4 of my previous bikes and now using it on my Spyder. Can't say enough good about it. If the bike is in the garage it's on the charger.

welcome Nice to have you aboard. Ride safe.
Dick

 

[Trickie Dick]

Optimate

I have the Optimate 4. Seems to work real well. I like to watch the lightsopcorn:.

 

[mjw930]

There is only one "Battery Tender", the others mentioned here are battery chargers. Battery Tender is a trademarked name.

I have been using real battery tenders since they came out and personally think they are the best on the market. They were the first to patent technology that properly maintains the battery vs. a float charger and they have been copied many many times, a few competitors ended up in court they coped so well.

I currently have their 4 bank charger with 3 bikes and a car plugged in and I haven't replaced a battery in any of them for well over 5 years.

Stick with a real Battery Tender and you won't go wrong.

 

[M2Wild]

Float Charger from Harbor Freight - $1.99 when on sale. I bought a case and use it on everything. Works great. Can't beat the price.

 

[Putt-Putt]

I have the Optimate 3 and the Yuasa. Both are suppossed to very similar to each other. And both work very well. My batteries (4 wheelers & motorcycles) have went from lasting 2yrs to 5 and 6yrs. Also both are supposed to do more than 1 battery function.

 

[the nicko]

this my new one :2thumbs:

 

[Dragonrider]

I have a battery tender JR for each of my bikes. I wired the pigtail directly to the battery, with the connector under the (Corbin) seat. This allows me to connect it daily, when I park it for night, or longer...

I like the JR, because I can take it with me, and I have a wired trailer too.

 

[Blackwidow74]

This is my first post so here it goes. I have used the Battery Tender Plus on 4 of my previous bikes and now using it on my Spyder. Can't say enough good about it. If the bike is in the garage it's on the charger.

:agree: I have had mine for more than a year, and I love it. I got it for $75 from amazon. It is a 2 bank one, so I can put my Infiniti G35 and my spyder on it at the same time. :2thumbs::yes:

 

[krb1945]

Deltran battery tender from the....

jaz-store.com for about 40 bucks. I got mine a short time ago for 36. They have a 10 year warranty and do not boil the electrolite out of the cells or overheat the plates.