Quick Battery Tender Question
#21
02-07-2009, 08:00 AM
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I hope this isn't considered a hijack, but was wondering which tender to look at for an 03 Road King, not that it matters the model, but anyway, I was on the HD site recently and saw there's more than one model to choose from, and I didn't study it, but didn't see right away an easy plug type set up...
Most people go w/ one of the HD ones, or aftermarket? Either way, which one?
Thanks.
Most people go w/ one of the HD ones, or aftermarket? Either way, which one?
Thanks.
Just be sure it's a "tender", "float charger", or "battery maintainer" not a trickle charger. Current will be 1.5 to 1.0 amp. A "trickle charger" won't automatically cycle on and off as needed when the battery reaches full charge, so it will cook a battery if left on too long.
Don't let the sales guy up-sell you just because you have an Ultra. The lower current models will take longer to bring a weak battery to full charge, but will work fine unless your battery is already dead, or you have one heck of an alarm system draw. Even the 1 amp models can keep any typical motorcycle, boat, or car battery peaked up.
Mine is a Schumacher 1.5A "battery maintainer" from WalMart, about $25. Came with a pigtail too.
Go to WalMart, BoatsUS, Autozone, Harbor Freight or wherever and use the ~$25 you save towards your spring oil change.
Last edited by mbwannabe1; 02-07-2009 at 08:04 AM.
#22
02-07-2009, 08:39 AM
Sears unit on sale is what I've got and never had any issues.
The bit with the seat back on is no problem just be 100% sure that your wiring is "NEVER" ran across the top of the battery posts or the top of the battery period.
The seat has a tendency to flex with rider on it. All this flexing and dropping down weighs on top the battery.
If you have wires there it will rub through them and short them out and cause an electrical fire under your @$$ and right at the battery too... :0
Run any wires down besides the battery or in front of it, but never ever over the top....
Don't ask me how I know this....
The bit with the seat back on is no problem just be 100% sure that your wiring is "NEVER" ran across the top of the battery posts or the top of the battery period.
The seat has a tendency to flex with rider on it. All this flexing and dropping down weighs on top the battery.
If you have wires there it will rub through them and short them out and cause an electrical fire under your @$$ and right at the battery too... :0
Run any wires down besides the battery or in front of it, but never ever over the top....
Don't ask me how I know this....
#23
02-07-2009, 08:41 AM
Another thing to consider is the routing. Check and double check that your harness isn't to close to anything real hot and certainly kept clear of the belt drive.
#25
02-07-2009, 08:49 AM
Join Date: Sep 2008
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LOL Hopefully, your **** wasn't in place at the time! Yikes!
My wife has a saying that applies here: "We learn more from our 'Never again' stories than all the rest of them."
I'll drink to that!
My wife has a saying that applies here: "We learn more from our 'Never again' stories than all the rest of them."
I'll drink to that!
#27
02-07-2009, 06:22 PM
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#28
02-07-2009, 06:48 PM
there's plenty to choose from...I personnally don't have the "battery tender" name brand, I use the black and decker and a schumacher brand, both relatively do the same thing, have the same type 2 pole plug for permanent mount and batt clips...both were less than $20 and have worked flawlessly - Wally World (don't over think it)
They work great and come with the attachment/plug for the battery so it can hang out just under the seat of the bike.
I also have one from HD. Seems like I paid almost a "hunnert dollars" for it before I learned better.
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