So, like an idiot, I left the glide up for the winter and took short low speed rides when I could. Today was nice, so I fired it up and rode a few miles, then stopped at a gun shop. When I came out, click click, battery too low to start it. I called the wife (pissing her off mightily) and had her bring my truck and cables. I let her charge with the truck OFF for 15 minutes and got her started and home. Should I expect any problems, and what type of charger do I need to 1) fix this battery and 2) prevent future low battery issues. I'd ask how not to piss off the old lady but I havent been able to figure that out for 38 years.
Dead Battery
- Thread starter Fredward
- Start date
You should use a float type charger, AKA Battery Tender.. You can keep it on all winter if you want with out any damage to your battery.. ThumbUp
Check out prices at batterymart.com . I personally don't know much about them, but they always seem to have a sale on something...
3FOR2
80+ Posts
To do list
1. Use Battery Tender
(So this never happens again)
2. Carry MicroStart
(To cover your butt and help anyone else)
http://themicrostart.com/products/micro-starts/
1. Use Battery Tender
(So this never happens again)
2. Carry MicroStart
(To cover your butt and help anyone else)
http://themicrostart.com/products/micro-starts/
+2 on the "To Do" list from 3for2. All the seldom used batteries in our garage are put on a charger with a float or maintainer function.
We also have the portable jump starters in both cars, and the boss says we are getting a new smaller one to take along on whatever bike/trike we're on.
There are many Lithium battery based portable jump starters, I went for simple. Some you can get with extra cables and adapters to charge your cell phone, tablet, phablet or whatever, but I figured the thing would live in the trunk until a battery needed a boost. Our boosters can charge other things, it just doesn't come with the cables and adapters. In the cars we have the Whistler Jump & Go, Walmart around here has them for $59.95. Whistler just came out with a smaller version called the Safe Start Mini for smaller engines like 4 cylinder cars and bikes that is the size of a smartphone, we saw them on Amazon for about $50. Gloria wants one for her new trike and the 'Wing.
We also have the portable jump starters in both cars, and the boss says we are getting a new smaller one to take along on whatever bike/trike we're on.
There are many Lithium battery based portable jump starters, I went for simple. Some you can get with extra cables and adapters to charge your cell phone, tablet, phablet or whatever, but I figured the thing would live in the trunk until a battery needed a boost. Our boosters can charge other things, it just doesn't come with the cables and adapters. In the cars we have the Whistler Jump & Go, Walmart around here has them for $59.95. Whistler just came out with a smaller version called the Safe Start Mini for smaller engines like 4 cylinder cars and bikes that is the size of a smartphone, we saw them on Amazon for about $50. Gloria wants one for her new trike and the 'Wing.
Bought a battery from them last year for my Tri-Glide.. Great price and one day delivery
Though Amazon ThumbUp
Take your battery to your local WalMart, after you charge it with a charger. Have it load tested.
That will tell you if it needs replaced or not.
While there, WalMart has an excellent Battery Maintainer, about half the price of the Battery Tender!
Make sure you get a "Maintainer", not a trickle charger. Must have the "float" feature where it only charges when needed.
I'm seeing just how long my battery lasts. I have always plugged it into the maintainer when bike is parked in my garage. Now almost 10 years oldThumbUp
That will tell you if it needs replaced or not.
While there, WalMart has an excellent Battery Maintainer, about half the price of the Battery Tender!
Make sure you get a "Maintainer", not a trickle charger. Must have the "float" feature where it only charges when needed.
I'm seeing just how long my battery lasts. I have always plugged it into the maintainer when bike is parked in my garage. Now almost 10 years oldThumbUp
:Agree: If left on long enough a trickle charger will over charge a battery.....
Like a faucet slowly dripping in a pan, Eventually it will over flow the pan....
been using a battery tender when they gave it to me when I bought the bike..Been using it ever since and never had a battery go bad yet..Before I sold the TRIGLIDE the battery was 4 years old and still starting the trike.
Depends on your battery but it may hold up once your get it recharged.
Depends on your battery but it may hold up once your get it recharged.
- Thread starter
- #15
Update
Ok, my battery has been tested and is good. Got a trickle charger (free, credit points from my card) and used it. It charged the battery up great in a day or so. Bought a battery pack jump charge thing, will charge and carry. I don't often do long rides, it's 4 miles each way to work, but I will make an effort to do a freeway style 10 mile or better ride each week.
Ok, my battery has been tested and is good. Got a trickle charger (free, credit points from my card) and used it. It charged the battery up great in a day or so. Bought a battery pack jump charge thing, will charge and carry. I don't often do long rides, it's 4 miles each way to work, but I will make an effort to do a freeway style 10 mile or better ride each week.
OK - now that you have a trickle charger your battery will be charged, the jump starter will be insurance. You know how that works - now that you've got it, you won't need it.
But folks that need a boost will be thankful you have it, and amazed that little box can start their car or bike.
We have had our booster for about a year and a half, never used it for ourselves but jump started more than a dozen other folks, and except for once at Bikes Blues and BBQ last year, all cars or pickups. Good PR for the motorcycle/trike riders when we can help non-riders.
And a tip for very deleted batteries. To start a car when the battery is very low, (no lights, no clicking when the key is turned) connect the positive clamp as normal, but disconnect the negative cable from the battery and hook the negative clamp from the booster to the cable end, not the battery terminal. that way you are bypassing the battery and all the power is going to start the car, not recharging the battery.
But folks that need a boost will be thankful you have it, and amazed that little box can start their car or bike.
We have had our booster for about a year and a half, never used it for ourselves but jump started more than a dozen other folks, and except for once at Bikes Blues and BBQ last year, all cars or pickups. Good PR for the motorcycle/trike riders when we can help non-riders.
And a tip for very deleted batteries. To start a car when the battery is very low, (no lights, no clicking when the key is turned) connect the positive clamp as normal, but disconnect the negative cable from the battery and hook the negative clamp from the booster to the cable end, not the battery terminal. that way you are bypassing the battery and all the power is going to start the car, not recharging the battery.
If you did get a trickle charger and not a battery maintainer, such as a Battery Tender or similar, you got the wrong item!
"Maintainers" go into a "float" mode when the battery reaches full charge. Then "turn on" only when the battery needs charged. Anything else does not and can "cook" a battery over time!
battery tender
I have been using a battery tender for many years.(5 different bikes)
When I am not going to ride for a few days or longer, I plug in the battery tender.
I keeps the battery charged and helps to extend the life of the battery.
whenever I got a new bike, the first thing I did tom it was to install or make sure the connector for the battery tender was installed.
I have been using a battery tender for many years.(5 different bikes)
When I am not going to ride for a few days or longer, I plug in the battery tender.
I keeps the battery charged and helps to extend the life of the battery.
whenever I got a new bike, the first thing I did tom it was to install or make sure the connector for the battery tender was installed.
my dealer puts a Battery Tender pig tail on every new and used bike before they go on the sales floor. I have been using Deltran Battery Tenders since the 90s. got 8 yrs of life w/out any battery issues on my Corvette. same reliability results w/two Goldwings and going on 4 yrs w/the tri glide. if it's in the garage it's plugged in. ThumbUp
I have 5 Schumacher battery tenders going all the time at our Arizona house. 2 Seadoos, 2 Quads and a boat. Definitely extends the life of batteries that sit a while. Be sure they are "float" or "automatic" chargers that turn off when the battery is fully charged.
Oh, most of these float chargers will not charge a dead battery, just not enough current.
Oh, most of these float chargers will not charge a dead battery, just not enough current.
Thanks Ozarkryder, I just went to my Amazon account and purchased the Safe Start mini for $49.95 total cost. I shall have it in about a week. Like it has been said, "the best way to make sure you don't need one, is to have it at your fingertips."
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