• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Battery Tender?

The Schumacher's maintainers look to be a better value than some of the Battery Tender branded models. I have three of them. For the price, they have better amperage, and they CAN charge a fully discharged battery. Nice and slow - the way a motorcycle battery is supposed to be charged. IMHO Battery Tender is milking the fact that their brand name is a generic term.
49020542-FF22-4996-94C7-5CEDDCCBFF69.jpg:thumbup: have one & works great, 5 yr warranty don’t hurt none( keep package & receipt ):firstplace: Particularly like the display, confirms what voltage it is charging & what % the battery is at. The built in folding hook is quite handy too :thumbup: tender may be milking the name but that’s just business in general :p:roflblack:

Oh ya FYI also come with 3 ways to connect: tender pigtail, clamps, or 12VDC cigarette plug in.:thumbup: word of caution still check polarity on the pigtails there is no standard.
 
View attachment 172813:thumbup: have one & works great, 5 yr warranty don’t hurt none( keep package & receipt ):firstplace: Particularly like the display, confirms what voltage it is charging & what % the battery is at. The built in folding hook is quite handy too :thumbup: tender may be milking the name but that’s just business in general :p:roflblack:

Oh ya FYI also come with 3 ways to connect: tender pigtail, clamps, or 12VDC cigarette plug in.:thumbup:

Yes, I have one of that model with the display and handlebar hook, and two of the brick-style models. All came with both pigtail and clamp battery connects, and cost significantly less than 'Battery Tender' equivalents.
 
got mine for the motorcycle and RT at walmart for about 12 bucks each. the motorcycle one has been in use for years...... I don't think you have to buy one thats $$$$$$
 
The Schumacher's maintainers look to be a better value than some of the Battery Tender branded models.

I can't argue with any of that. I use mine on a lot of different things.
BUT.....the price difference isn't THAT much......and there are several good ones out there.
I don't think that obsessing over saving a couple of bucks is a good thing a lot of the time.
 
got mine for the motorcycle and RT at walmart for about 12 bucks each. the motorcycle one has been in use for years...... I don't think you have to buy one thats $$$$$$

I don't think you can get a "good" one for that price anymore.
Usually around $25.
 
Totally unnecessary to worry about that. The difference doesn't mean squat when you are talking about floating a fully charged battery.

Two things:
That pigtail should be INSIDE the Frunk, sticking out through the liner where it is protected from the weather but still easy to get to by opening the Frunk.

Second, go to any auto parts store or even WalMart and ask them for an automatic battery maintainer with a capacity between 3/4 and 2 amp.
The Schumacher brand at WalMart is good equipment.....and comes with various cables too.
The most popular brand is Battery Tender.
Cost should be between $25 and $35.

Don't obsess. This really isn't that hard.

AND FINALLY......connecting a tender really is not necessary unless and until the bike will sit unused for 2 weeks or more.
If it is ridden on a regular basis, you don't need it at all.
Winter in Iowa, however, it will be good to have one.


Wow! Just looked and found the plug in my frunk! Didn't know it was there. I have 2 Battery Tender Juniors and a Battery Tender Plus. So, Did my 2015 RTL come with the plug installed, OR, did the previous owner install it?
 
No, they did not come from the factory with the plug (pigtail).

Some dealers are known to install one.

If your's was a used unit, it is also possible that the previous owner installed it.
 
I bought the Deltran battery saver plus. I spent the extra $ to get all the extra acc. I do agree the leads should be in frunk. With acc. it is easy to jump start others. Just remember to reverse polarity. Cable ends I should say. Also with frunk cable leads you can hook up 12 volt clg lighter. CAN AM dealer say battery jr. is efficent for rts. If unsure of battery type unzip frunk cover there you find manual u IMHO read it for info and how to practice ride your new machine. I hope you are safe and loving it.
 
So on our old 2009 Spyder GS I had the plug dangling out the right rear side of the bike. I'm about to install a new battery tender on our 2015 RT-S. Where should I leave the plug so I can plug it in when I pull into the garage? What have you people done?
 
I bought a new one just today. It is a Bikemaster .750MA charger/tender rated for all battery types. Cost $24.90 including tax at my local Powersports store. The pigtail for the plugin is located under the frunk lid on the left side below the removable plastic cover..... Jim
 
I just want an opinion on where you have the plug "dongle" hanging off the bike. drill a little hole? have it hanging outside the frunk edge? leave it inside the frunk and then you have to open the frunk every time when you pull it in the garage, etc....
 
I just want an opinion on where you have the plug "dongle" hanging off the bike. drill a little hole? have it hanging outside the frunk edge? leave it inside the frunk and then you have to open the frunk every time when you pull it in the garage, etc....

Not sure if my 2018 RTL is the same as your RT-S, but on mine there is a rubber plug beside the battery box in the frunk. Poked a hole in that, routed the battery tender wiring through the hole and silicone glued it in place to prevent leakage. If you put most of the wiring inside the frunk,the dongle will zip up in the liner and be at the top corner of the frunk available for easy plug in.
 
That's what it looks like.....

If this picture looks like lead coming "from" your spyder, I'd be very suspicious because the exposed terminal here appears to be positive (+) from the looks of the red colored wire. If true, this end should be the end of the lead wires from the tender, not the spyder. Check that lead coming from your spyder with a volt meter before you hooking anything up to it. Chances are you're ok, but, if you're not and you simply hook it up to a tender or charger serious damage could result. Also trace your spyder's lead back to it's source to see where and what's connected to and if it has a inline fuse and what amp fuse it may have. All this could be very important if you don't know where the lead goes or what it's for.
 
So on our old 2009 Spyder GS I had the plug dangling out the right rear side of the bike. I'm about to install a new battery tender on our 2015 RT-S. Where should I leave the plug so I can plug it in when I pull into the garage? What have you people done?

I have the plug dangling between zippered liner/ next to the battery. Inside the frunk. I have a 2014 RTS-SE6.

Deanna
 
Back
Top