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Leave battery tender plugged in all winter..or give it a break once in awhile?

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  #51  
Old 11-30-2017, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Sierra977
Compare apples to apples.

CTEK 3300 is the cheapest, least functional charger CTEK sells.

I use CTEK Multi 7002 US that has built-in automatic pulse charging after battery reaches full charge.



CTEK is best charger/tender.
It is? How do you know?

One thing for certain... It appears to be one of the most expensive ones @ $150.

And I thought the PulseTech unit was pricey @ $75.
 
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  #52  
Old 11-30-2017, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Halojumper
You can give it a break on those nice days when you take it out and ride it.

 
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  #53  
Old 12-02-2017, 11:27 AM
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So in other-words a battery is like a good steak...everybody has their own 'tenderizing' technique.

some great info posted on the 'technique'
 
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  #54  
Old 12-02-2017, 11:50 AM
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Mine is out of the bike and inside my place ,on all the time
 
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  #55  
Old 12-02-2017, 11:52 AM
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Let me get this straight? Your asking if you should tend a tender? What???
 
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  #56  
Old 12-02-2017, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by seniorsuperglideE8
IMHO it shouldn't hurt anything. The way a smart tender is supposed to work is in between top off charges the voltage is monitored so voltage to the batt. until the tender senses a charge is required. There some with different opinions on this.
Leave it plugged in. They are designed to sensor voltage, when needed it will kick on.
 
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  #57  
Old 12-02-2017, 09:38 PM
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I don't keep my batteries plugged into a tender all winter because I don't care if their charge falls below 85%, as long as they don't freeze.
 
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  #58  
Old 12-03-2017, 06:15 AM
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FWIW, I was advised by a long time indy HD mech to leave it plugged in all winter; in fact he suggested even in the riding season to plug it in when not in use....says it will extend the battery life.....on my '14 RK, so far so good. Oh, he also suggested inflating the tires to around 50psi to avoid flat spots in the spring.
 
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  #59  
Old 12-03-2017, 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by RK4ME
I don't keep my batteries plugged into a tender all winter because I don't care if their charge falls below 85%, as long as they don't freeze.
Sulfation.

Most of skipped the articles that I posted.

Originally Posted by overthehill?
FWIW, I was advised by a long time indy HD mech to leave it plugged in all winter; in fact he suggested even in the riding season to plug it in when not in use....says it will extend the battery life.....on my '14 RK, so far so good. Oh, he also suggested inflating the tires to around 50psi to avoid flat spots in the spring.
If the float mode waveform (pulsed or flat current?) is unknown, then one might want to consider these quotes from that article/review that I posted.

A battery supplied with a constant current and held at an unwavering voltage that’s less than the gassing voltage will begin to sulfate after 60 days or so. A pulsing current or some method of exercising the battery is desirable during float maintenance.
and...

Because the float current neither exercises the battery nor has any pulsation to discourage sulfation, we recommend disconnecting this product from the stored battery for 24 hours every 60 days or so. Reconnecting the unit will then provide battery exercise.
 
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; 01-04-2018 at 07:10 PM.
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  #60  
Old 12-03-2017, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by twoglides13
I leave mine connected all winter. Just make sure you have a good battery tender, not a cheap knockoff.
^^^ This...

A good battery charger is not where ya wanna save a few bucks (Battery either), get the good one, Deltran, not some Chinese knockoff that is gonna cook your battery

They are designed to be plugged in 24/7. In the words of Ron Popeil, set it and forget it!
 
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