Winter storage?

[Spyderdude]

Hi Spyder peers,

I live in Maniwaki, in Quebec, and the time has come to storage my Spyder for the winter. It is staying in my non-heated garage, over a nice rug, with stabilizer and the Can-Am inside storage cover. Now, my prblem is the battery. I really, really hope I can avoid removing it (as told by the dealer's on-duty mechanic who dod not sound like he positively knew what he was talking about). here is what I need to know:

1) Do I have to remove the battery to preserve it and how to storage it?
2) How do I remove it? The instructions are not very good on the guide. I am very bad at these things.
3) Would a battery tender do the job, and if yes which one? Are the ones with the solar panel good enough?
4) Are the battery posts easily accessible or do I have to remove a panel?

Please advise!

Thank you,
Spyderdude

 

[coz]

battery

a battery tender jr. would be fine, or similar battery ''maintainer'' type of charger. walmart carries a schumacher brand. o'reilly's also has a similar product. search battery tender. you should find LOTS of info.

 

[NancysToy]

I would not use the solar charger. Get a good charger that is designed for motorcycle and long-term battery maintenance use, and is made to use with AGM batteries. Battery Tender Plus, Accumate, Optimate, and Xtreme are good examples. You can attach with the included alligator clips to the jumper terminals under the seat, you can wire the included quick-connect pigtail directlt to the battery (requires panel removal), or you can get an adapter to a Powerlet or other outlet that is powered all the time (key off).

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: Scotty has you covered on your winter storage questions.

 

[Spyderdude]

I would not use the solar charger. Get a good charger that is designed for motorcycle and long-term battery maintenance use, and is made to use with AGM batteries. Battery Tender Plus, Accumate, Optimate, and Xtreme are good examples. You can attach with the included alligator clips to the jumper terminals under the seat, you can wire the included quick-connect pigtail directlt to the battery (requires panel removal), or you can get an adapter to a Powerlet or other outlet that is powered all the time (key off).

I know this is gonna sound dumb but I looked under the seat and on my RS-S the battery poles are not accessible- what do I have to remove and will I still be able to cover the bike/put down the seat with the charger attached? Thanks!

 

[NancysToy]

I know this is gonna sound dumb but I looked under the seat and on my RS-S the battery poles are not accessible- what do I have to remove and will I still be able to cover the bike/put down the seat with the charger attached? Thanks!

The battery terminals themselves are not accessible without removing the left side body panels. The jumper terminals are accessible, on all Spyders. The positive jumper is covered with a red rubber boot, and is on the left side, just ahead of the passenger grab bar. The negative jumper is on the right, farther back, next to one of the fuse boxes. There should be enough clearance to attach the alligator clips and close the seat. With the permanent pigtail, you can open the seat, pull the pigtail connector out, run it outside, then close the seat and hook up the charger. That is probably a better approach for frequent use with the seat lowered and the Spyder covered. Alligator clips can be knocked off if the cable is moved too much. Do not use the jumper terminals to attach the permanent pigtail! If you loosen the negative jumper, it is a first class pain to tighten,

 

[Spyderdude]

The battery terminals themselves are not accessible without removing the left side body panels. The jumper terminals are accessible, on all Spyders. The positive jumper is covered with a red rubber boot, and is on the left side, just ahead of the passenger grab bar. The negative jumper is on the right, farther back, next to one of the fuse boxes. There should be enough clearance to attach the alligator clips and close the seat. With the permanent pigtail, you can open the seat, pull the pigtail connector out, run it outside, then close the seat and hook up the charger. That is probably a better approach for frequent use with the seat lowered and the Spyder covered. Alligator clips can be knocked off if the cable is moved too much. Do not use the jumper terminals to attach the permanent pigtail! If you loosen the negative jumper, it is a first class pain to tighten,

Thank you!!! So considering the Spyder will be storaged in a place where no one goes and the cable will not likely be moved, can I just use the alligator clamps on the jumper terminals, close the seat and cover, and then should I leave it plugged in all winter? Thanks!

 

[NancysToy]

Thank you!!! So considering the Spyder will be storaged in a place where no one goes and the cable will not likely be moved, can I just use the alligator clamps on the jumper terminals, close the seat and cover, and then should I leave it plugged in all winter? Thanks!

You can do that, but the movement I was talking about is yours, in closing the seat and putting on the cover, the cover settling, etc. If the Spyder is stored outdoors, and snow accumulates, there will be more movement. If you use the alligator clips, be very careful, and look at the lights on the charger peridoically, to see that it is still hooked up and functioning properly.

 

[GeoffCee]

I have a C-Tek battery charger/monitor permanently connected to my Spyder RT-SE5 using a standard 12 volt socket which I installed. Keeping my battery in peak condition is one use, the other is as a plug-in point for my wife's electrically heated jacket.

 

[eddieshep999]

Geoff

I have done the same socket as you - If you find it difficult to plug items in due to the Speaker casing above the socket
use an angled 12V Plug adapter - I got mine on e bay

Do a search for Item number: 390364217236

Hope this helps

Eddie

 

[NorthStar]

Temperatures in your neck of the woods can dip down to - 30 C for extended periods of time during the winter. Since your Spyder will be "sleeping" for nearly 5 months, I would seriously consider removing the battery and bringing it inside for the winter. Put it on a battery tender, or charging it once a month is recommended. At least. this is what I did for my 33 years of winters in the Ottawa area with great success.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: The low temperatures might be an issue and it's much better to be safe than sorry! :yikes:

 

[boborgera]

Just me, But i don't like to leave chargers / tenders plugged in for long periods of time unattended or semi unattended, Just bring the battery in and the worries are over.:dontknow:

 

[Spyderdude]

Just me, But i don't like to leave chargers / tenders plugged in for long periods of time unattended or semi unattended, Just bring the battery in and the worries are over.:dontknow:

COnsidering I am really really bad at mecanics, can you explain step by step how to remove the battery? Thank you!!!

 

[GeoffCee]

Geoff
I have done the same socket as you - If you find it difficult to plug items in due to the Speaker casing above the socket use an angled 12V Plug adapter - I got mine on e bay. Do a search for Item number: 390364217236
Hope this helps
Eddie

Thanks Eddie. I haven't experienced any issues, the plug has sufficient clearance to allow easy access. I've checked with the missus who plugs her heated jacket into the socket and she says it's OK, so it must be true! :yes:

 

[GeoffCee]

Just me, But i don't like to leave chargers / tenders plugged in for long periods of time unattended or semi unattended, Just bring the battery in and the worries are over.:dontknow:

The C-Tek is designed for long periods of unattended use. It kept a gel battery on my BMW R1150RT alive for 9 winters. I sold the bike this year and so far as I'm aware the battery is still in use. If you have very severe winters then taking the battery inside into a frost-free environment makes perfect sense.

 

[Spyderdude]

Is this outlet only on the RT?

I have a C-Tek battery charger/monitor permanently connected to my Spyder RT-SE5 using a standard 12 volt socket which I installed. Keeping my battery in peak condition is one use, the other is as a plug-in point for my wife's electrically heated jacket.

 

[NancysToy]

Is this outlet only on the RT?

Yes. There is an optional truck outlet for the RS, but if installed, it is normally not powered when the engine is not running.