Cycle chargers & Battery Tenders

phire · October 22, 2005, 10:29:11 PM

Well, I've been googling for a little bit now and sifting through the forums and from what I've gathered... Cycle chargers are the same thing as a Battery Tender? And Battery Tender is a brand and not a type of battery? Am I correct in my assumptions? Just wondering because walmart sells em for $15(cycle chargers) while Battery Tenders are 20-30$. Not a big difference, but walmart is just down the street and that's what they sell. If they ARE the same, what's reccomended for quality? That's another concern of mine. One last thing... I assume 1 amp would be sufficient to maintain a motorcycle battery? Probably not for my car batteries though, eh? I have some lead-acid car batteries as well as a couple gel batteries.

Oh and how would I tell if the battery on my 05 GS500F is a 6v or 12v so I know what kinda tender to get?

gsmetal · October 23, 2005, 06:09:20 AM

Do you have a link to the charger at Walmart?

I have several battery tenders - the name brand not a knock off - and I love em.

My batteries last a long time - I use the plug in leads and just plug the bike in when not in use.

I would like to see the Walmart version (you get what you pay for)

phire · October 23, 2005, 09:53:18 AM

No, unfortunately I don't have a link. I was doing my research on finding the best bang for my buck last night and (of course) walmart was the only ones open. Here's one I've been keeping my eye on. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4584053661&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT The picture says it's "battery companion" branded but the listing says Schumacher. I have a 200 amp Schumacher I use for quick charges and jump starting that's been in the family for years so I've been keeping my eye on that brand. But, it doesn't really matter the brand it's just the only one I know that is quality.

chefod · October 23, 2005, 10:12:18 AM

Are the 1 amp chargers safe to leave hooked up all winter in my basement, just wondering cause I live in Canada and the riding season is over, so I must winterize it so my question is can I leave it hooked up all winter in my basement without causing any damage??? and if not how often do I hook it up?

phire · October 23, 2005, 10:33:05 AM

Quote from: chefodAre the 1 amp chargers safe to leave hooked up all winter in my basement, just wondering cause I live in Canada and the riding season is over, so I must winterize it so my question is can I leave it hooked up all winter in my basement without causing any damage??? and if not how often do I hook it up?

If it is just a trickle charger that charges at all times, then yes, leaving it hooked up at all times will end up damaging the battery. That's the reason I'm trying to find a good quality battery tender. It just charge long enough to keep the battery "topped off." The amperage doesn't really matter, just the more amps the quicker it will charge.

phire · October 23, 2005, 10:34:26 AM

Quote from: chefodBlue 05 GS500F, stainless steel front brake line, h4 bulb swap, wileyco can, dynojet kit, K&N filter, remote starter, 15 tooth sprocket swap, 150 rear tire, blue underglow, 12v accessory plug, laser radar detector, integrated taillight, flush mount front signals, fenderectomy, reflectorectomy

BTW, you got any pics!?

starwalt · October 23, 2005, 11:00:36 AM

Quote from: chefodAre the 1 amp chargers safe...can I leave it hooked up all winter in my basement without causing any damage??? and if not how often do I hook it up?

1 ampere is not "trickle". A trickle charger does the same thing as a regular charger, but with much, much less current. Maybe 1/100 ampere or even less. The purpose is to offset the decay in the chemistry of the battery that occurs with time. If a battery is fully charged, a trickle current will keep it there as long as the chemistry and the cell plates are in good shape.

To expand your knowledge of batteries and learn about a trickle charger you can build read this article.

To further expand your knowledge on battery sulfation, read this article. Though it is a little deep for the electronic newbie, it has some great pics that look like something I would post for 1 April. :lol:

A trickle charger can recharge a depleted battery, but v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.
Some of the gadgets have high frequency pulse features that are said to desulfate Pb acid batteries. My Walmart Schumacher 1200 can recharge at 2A (max for most cycle batteries), does trickle, and has the desulfation feature.

So, do not leave your battery connected to a 1 A charger all winter long. It will probably be toast inside 3 weeks at that charge rate.

Gisser · October 23, 2005, 11:43:13 AM

I have a Schumacher 1.5 amp w/automatic shut-off which I'm not very satisfied with. Sometimes it doesn't seem to have enough zap to overcome the battery's resistance :dunno: and shuts-off before delivering a charge. :x For a few dollars more the Battery Tender would be well worth it given its stellar reviews.

phire · October 23, 2005, 11:46:03 AM

Quote from: GisserI have a Schumacher 1.5 amp w/automatic shut-off which I'm not very satisfied with. Sometimes it doesn't seem to have enough zap to overcome the battery's resistance :dunno: and shuts-off before delivering a charge. :x For a few dollars more the Battery Tender would be well worth it given its stellar reviews.

The Battery Tender Plus seems to be the best buy, that or the junior... read some reviews of people who have had em for years without fail. Deltran is the only manufacturer for Battery Tender?

phire · October 23, 2005, 01:37:31 PM

Well, if anyone is looking for one, here's what I found after hours of sifting through reviews, prices and different sellers and websites. This seems to be the best bang for the buck. Deltran Battery Tender Plus 1.25A 10 year warranty, $40 shipped. Most places wanted $50+ shipped. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4584613470&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AEOIBSAA%3AUS%3A31

gsmetal · October 23, 2005, 03:29:15 PM

Chapperall Motorsports has Battery Tenders for $35.00 + shipping.

phire · October 23, 2005, 04:17:17 PM

Quote from: gsmetalChapperall Motorsports has Battery Tenders for $35.00 + shipping.

After shipping, it's about the same price give or take a few pennies (I checked). So buy from whomever you feel most comfortable with. What I like best about this Battery Tender Plus is the 10 year warranty! How can you beat that!?

John Bates · October 23, 2005, 04:38:11 PM

The BT+ is perfect. Go for it.

snowhownd · October 23, 2005, 06:44:41 PM

I was planning on bringing my battery inside and just plugging it into my 10amp boat battery charger for a few hours once a week. Would that not be a good thing to do?

Grainbelt · October 24, 2005, 08:54:20 AM

+2 for battery tender plus. Lots of hookup options, seems to be idiot proof. I hook mine up about once a month during the riding season, just to top it off, and I'll be using it this winter as well.

Chuck · October 24, 2005, 11:24:29 AM

Charging periodically is just as good as using a trickle charger... provided that you remember to do it periodically. (That's the advantage of trickle.) DO NOT charge a motorcycle battery at 10 amps!!!! EVER!! 2 amps tops, I would say.

John Bates · October 24, 2005, 02:32:24 PM

Quote from: snowhowndI was planning on bringing my battery inside and just plugging it into my 10amp boat battery charger for a few hours once a week. Would that not be a good thing to do?

Not a good idea. :guns:

If you forget to turn it off you will overcharge the battery.

The best charge rate for our little batteries is one amp, two amps max.

phire · October 24, 2005, 10:17:58 PM

Quote from: John BatesThe best charge rate for our little batteries is one amp, two amps max.

You make it sound so cute and cuddly.

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Cycle chargers &amp; Battery Tenders

Cycle chargers & Battery Tenders