Battery tender

[bigjim44]

What is the recommended use for a battery tender? Are you guys leaing them pluged in all winter or cycling them periodically?

 

[DocnLou]

I've done both over the past several years with all positive results. Have quite a few buddies that use them year round....plug them in when returning from a ride. Just make sure its a smart tender, not a trickle charger. Sure extends battery life! ThumbUp

 

[rmrc51]

I have had mine plugged in all year when not riding and have never have any ill effects.

I also use them for my 57 Chevy and the battery on my generator year-round as well.

 

[5x40]

If my trike is in the garage, the battery tender is plugged in, 24/7. this has been my practice w/all my bikes since the 90s. also applies to Corvette.
I have been using Deltran Battery Tenders since the 90s. I am a believer and so is my HD dealer.
they install the pigtail on all their bikes, new and used. I replace batteries though usually after a 6-7 yr life span not because they were dead, but just for peace of mind.

 

[rwhgme]

24/7/365

 

[JJHog]

If its a Battery Tender then plug it in all the time. Won't hurt anything.

 

[wiltat2]

24/7/365

Well gosh why don't you take it out and ride it once in a while in stead of leaving it plugged in to the battery tender all the time?

 

[roadking2]

I've had battery tenders hooked up to my bikes and to my lawn tractor for years. When any of them is not being used, they are plugged into the tender. I've gotten as much as 10 years out of my bike batteries and just as long out of my lawn tractor. In the winter months, I usually fire up the bikes about once a week or so and they run long enough to get warmed up. I've never had any electrical problems with anything due to the tender.

 

[captdanwh]

my wife and i both have battery tenders on our trikes and use them all the time. the cost of a good Harley battery is above $125.00 and the battery tender will extend the life of it a few years so it is a good investment besides the fact your battery is fully charged all the time. we also use one on my 4 wheeler and boat. ya gotta try them

 

[470004]

Whenever my bike or trike is in the garage, it is plug into the Battery Tender.

 

[trikermutha]

I would recommend unplugging and plugging it back in once in a awhile..

 

[beenthere]

I would recommend unplugging and plugging it back in once in a awhile..

Sometimes my JR Tenders have quit charging and by turning off & on
they start up again.:Shrug:

 

[captdanwh]

i have never had the problem of the tender to stop working but it is nice to know if it does to just turn it off for awhile and then turn it back on. thanks

 

[Rod69]

Put mine on the tender after every ride.

 

[John Luciano]

I got mine hooked up to a timer. It has off at Dawn on at dusk. It only turns the charger on at night. They use them for outdoor Xmas lights.

 

[rwhgme]

Well gosh why don't you take it out and ride it once in a while in stead of leaving it plugged in to the battery tender all the time?

Ride?? What is this word that you speak of? Ride??

 

[jcoud]

Dumb question... On the 14 GT the plug is inside (behind) the left side cover. Have folks rerouted it somewhere (not long enough to go far) or are you all taking the side cover off everytime you hook up the tender?

 

[trikermutha]

Dumb question... On the 14 GT the plug is inside (behind) the left side cover. Have folks rerouted it somewhere (not long enough to go far) or are you all taking the side cover off everytime you hook up the tender?

Mine hangs next to the cover..easy to get to to plug in..But I have a 2010

 

[GARYD]

Take cover off - pull out plug - re-attach cover. Simple

Like everyone else, when I'm not riding the bike is plugged in and so is my Vette. I've had a Battery Tender since the early 80's and wouldn't be without one - or two.
If you are going to plug and unplug or attach to a timer why did you spend all the money for a Battery Tender when a cheap trickle charger will do the same job cheaper????? That's why people buy the Battery Tender - so they don't have to do those things.

 

[msocko3]

Dumb question... On the 14 GT the plug is inside (behind) the left side cover. Have folks rerouted it somewhere (not long enough to go far) or are you all taking the side cover off everytime you hook up the tender?

Originally I thought your dealer installed it there, looks like Harley is installing them now. All my battery tender leads have been by the starter. You can see it in this picture of a 2010 Triglde, there is no difference between 09 - 14 to warrant routing it behind the left cover. If its long enough you can change the routing, its just a plain mean thing to do putting that under the left side cover. The side covers can sometimes be a bear to get off.

 

[Moe55]

Dumb question... On the 14 GT the plug is inside (behind) the left side cover. Have folks rerouted it somewhere (not long enough to go far) or are you all taking the side cover off everytime you hook up the tender?

Attached mine to the passengers grab handle with a plastic tie wrap.

 

[KindaOldTriker]

I have them on all 3 of my bikes. They are plugged in when not being driven 24/7/365.
My dealer that I got my 2012 Trike from puts them in EVERY HARLEY they sell, automatically, ALONG WITH the RUN/STOP/TURN module if needed! A REAL NICE touch.
My lead comes out under side cover on right side and cable ties to the passenger foot bracket. nice, it doesn't just hang there and its anchored a bit when pulling them apart.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I also have my pigtail zip tied to the passenger handle as well as the pigtail for the air compressor I carry. My bike gets plugged in every time it's parked in it's spot in the garage.
No timers, no unplug it "once-in-a-while which IMHO, defeats the very purpose of using a battery maintainer!

 

[GARYD]

I guess all you that have the plug come out the right side don't have heated clothes???

My Gerbing's connectors have always been on the left side of the jacket so it's more convienient to have the plug on the left side. If I had the BT on the right of the bike, I would have to climb over the wires every time I went into the garage.
So, it's like toilet paper = over or under. Right side or left side????

 

[eighty80]

I guess all you that have the plug come out the right side don't have heated clothes???

My Gerbing's connectors have always been on the left side of the jacket so it's more convienient to have the plug on the left side. If I had the BT on the right of the bike, I would have to climb over the wires every time I went into the garage.
So, it's like toilet paper = over or under. Right side or left side????

And "toilet seat up or down"

 

[Rick Kay]

So, it's like toilet paper = over or under. Right side or left side????

There's only one right way to do the toilet paper...

 

[GARYD]

There's only one right way to do the toilet paper...

Toilet seat up/down = depends on if you are married or not.


Rick, Yes = also depends if you're married or not. :laugh:

If you're not married, who gives a $hit. ROTFLMAO

 

[msocko3]

And "toilet seat up or down"

I kind of like the seat down, that way I can rinse the seat off while I pee:xszpv:.

 

[Scorpio49]

My son took delivery of a 2014 TG. It has been on the tender (Battery Tender Jr.) for 14 hours, still not showing fully charged. How long should it take to top off the battery?

 

[msocko3]

My son took delivery of a 2014 TG. It has been on the tender (Battery Tender Jr.) for 14 hours, still not showing fully charged. How long should it take to top off the battery?

Depends on how low the battery is, the tender doesn't put out a whole lot of juice like a charger does. If he just took delivery he could have been fiddling with the stereo and other do dads in the garage without the bike running, so the battery could be pretty low.