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Battery Tenders - should you use them or not?
- Thread starter cjr00
- Start date
Grayfox
New member
All the time
ferrasr
Member
I use battery maintainer for the long winter storage months in Alberta. Put battery maintainer on once a month for about 2 days then take it off which helps my peace of mind in not leaving it on all the time and maybe having some electrical/battery issues. I also add fuel stabilizer, pump the tires up to the max air and even roll it forwards and backwards monthly to help avoid tire flat spots. Have been doing this with motorcycle storage for over 30 years, seem to work for me.
Northofthesix
Member
Mine is on a maintainer whenever I am not riding... 2018 still on the factory battery with no issues so I am quite happy with how it does.
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
I have a battery monitor called Battery Bug that I bought for my Goldwing a number of years ago. When the battery voltage drops below 12 the BB starts beeping. I know then that it's time to plug in the charger/maintainer.
Unfortunately BB lost a patent infringement lawsuit and were forced out of business. The company that drove them into the ground never saw fit to put the product back on the market, which is really sad since the BB does a great job of displaying the battery's condition.
Unfortunately BB lost a patent infringement lawsuit and were forced out of business. The company that drove them into the ground never saw fit to put the product back on the market, which is really sad since the BB does a great job of displaying the battery's condition.
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
If you pump the tire PSI to the about 45, on the tire you can stop moving it.... Spyders / Rykers are very light and this will prevent " flat spotting " ..... JMHO .... Mike :thumbup:
FrogmanDave
Active member
Yes but I have fried a couple of batteries leaving it hooked up all the time. I alternate my battery tender (Noco brand) between my lawn mower, two scooters, one motorcycle, and one Spyder every week or so. Others will argue whether the tender failed the battery but I have a good friend who owned a motorcycle dealership for many years and he agrees with me. He saw it many times over the years. If you only have one battery to maintain, hook it up for a day or so and do this weekly or monthly. Your battery will be just fine.
HagermanSpyder
New member
I will disconnect the negative terminal on the battery of my 2016 Spyder RT-S if it will not be used for any extended period of time. My small part in not wasting energy and helping the environment. If one of my vehicles will sit all winter, when Spring comes I may put battery on charger and this has always worked for me. **Don't forget Sta-Bil in gas**
Gunner3773
Member
I used a CTEK maintainer on my Valkyrie and changed the battery out at 10 years old. The battery tested good, but I changed it anyway since it was 10 years old. I just had my garden tractor's battery go bad after 9 years after keeping it on a CTEK maintainer. My Indian Scout and 2015 RT are constantly on CTEK maintainers and I have absolutely no starting issues. So YES, you should use a maintainer. BTW, I also use maintainers on my Ridgeline and Odyssey.
canamjhb
Well-known member
Peter's answer in post #15 is spot on. Keeping your battery on a maintainer all the time CAN mask a dead or dying battery. Happened to me when I rode 300 miles from home and had zero battery the next morning. Not convenient dealing with it 300 miles from home. During the riding season I ride 2-3 times a week and usually cover 175-300 miles each ride. No reason whatsoever to use a maintainer then. I will know if and when my battery is getting weak. If the bike will sit for more than a week or two, the maintainer gets attached. But, I will disconnect it a day or so before going on a trip just to make sure I do, indeed, have a good battery and not one that just has a surface charge..... Jim
I leave my tender plugged in all the time. Battery tender makes a nice load tester that can give you confidence in your battery. If you're a DIY'er there are some nice power supplies that include a volt meter. I use mine to load test my battery every time I thumb the starter.
Attachments
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
:agree: X's 5 ..... Back in my V-Twin days, when BRP didn't use an Alternator to replenish the battery. There were issues caused from " parasitic " drains on the battery. I used my Maintainer almost all the time. .... Now the 1330 eng. w an Alternator, it is actually detrimental to use a Maintainer unless it's necessary because the Spyder has been stored .... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:
canamjhb
Well-known member
FYI; In post #33 here I explained how I use a tender. I had my bike on a tender for the 2 months I was recovering from foot surgery. Removed it a day before I was able to first ride again. Bike started just fine and went on a 150 mile lunch ride. I didn't plug it back in. A few days later tried to start bike and all I got was the dreaded clicking sound indicating my battery was going toes up! I'm glad I didn't keep the battery on the maintainer for those few days. Finding out my battery is expiring while at home is a lot more convenient than the alternative..... Jim
Bfromla
Well-known member
Looks more for heated gear, so whatever diameter to SAE
DEFINITELY double check polarity & if has a fuseSimilar threads
