Want to buy a battery tender/charger, trickle charger. Also, winterizing questio

[hedgehog88]

Hi,

So I left my bike in my garage over the last month and wanted to pull it out for a ride, then finding out the battery is died from all the symptoms I read about. Now I would like to buy a battery tender/charger.

Silly question, but is a battery tender and batter charger and trickle charger the same thing?

What should I look for in a battery tender? I need something that I can use for my current bike (GS500F) as well have something hold up when I decide for buy a more powerful bike in the near future. How voltage/amp should I look for? I don't want to spend a whole alot for one but I don't mind spending a bit (less possible) if it does its job. Will I know if a battery is charger 100%?

Lastly, I want to winterize my bike and for the battery after being removed from the bike, what and how am I suppose to maintain it so it can last till next year?
- do I charge it full and leave it?
- can you overcharger it if I left it charging?
- how will I know its fully charger?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if it sounds like newbie questions, but I'd rather be certain all my concerns are answered.

[Paulcet]

Silly question, but is a battery tender and batter charger and trickle charger the same thing?

No, they are not all the same.  "Battery Tender" is a brand name smart charger.  "Battery Minder" is another brand name.  If you go to an auto parts store and buy a cheap battery charger, it is just a dumb power source.  Not recommended for unattended use on motorcycle batteries, IMO.

What should I look for in a battery tender? I need something that I can use for my current bike (GS500F) as well have something hold up when I decide for buy a more powerful bike in the near future. How voltage/amp should I look for? I don't want to spend a whole alot for one but I don't mind spending a bit (less possible) if it does its job. Will I know if a battery is charger 100%?

Look for one that has several modes, and automatic.  What will work for your GS500 will work for any 12V bike. Look for between .75A and 1.5A.  The smart chargers will indicate when your battery is fully charged, and sometimes even when there is a problem with the battery.

Lastly, I want to winterize my bike and for the battery after being removed from the bike, what and how am I suppose to maintain it so it can last till next year?
- do I charge it full and leave it?
- can you overcharger it if I left it charging?
- how will I know its fully charger?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if it sounds like newbie questions, but I'd rather be certain all my concerns are answered.

If you have a healthy battery, you can just plug in a good smart charger and walk away.  Unplug in the spring and ride.

I have the .75A Battery Tender Jr. and it works just fine.  Even revived the battery in my minivan a couple of times (but it took about 24 hours).  Check out this deal for more capacity and supposedly "smarter" than Battery Tender: http://www.batterymart.com/p-batteryminder-plus-12v-1_3a-battery-charger.html

[hedgehog88]

Much appreciated for the response. I'll definitely look into these chargers you've mentioned. 

[hedgehog88]

For the battery tender model you have, would you leave the battery charging unattended over the winter?

Will anything happen to the battery if you just leave it till next spring/running season, and charge it then?

[Suzuki Stevo]

^^^See Above^^^
I have an '05 V-Strom, it's OEM battery just died this August, I can't get my finger off the button fast enough with my '07 Burgman before it springs to life, all my bikes, my second car and riding lawn mower are all plugged into one 24/7/365 



Double up on the Sta-Bil too 

[hedgehog88]

Looking good.

I'll look into the model seeing in Canada they don't sell the Battery Minders here.

As for the stabilizer, you need to first grain the gas tank before applying the stabilizer? Do you fill it up afterwards? How long does it have to run for before it goes into all the lines?

I was told carburetor lines had to be grain before winterizing, is that true? If so, for next season what would I need to fill the lines again?

[Suzuki Stevo]

Looking good.

I'll look into the model seeing in Canada they don't sell the Battery Minders here.

As for the stabilizer, you need to first grain the gas tank before applying the stabilizer? Do you fill it up afterwards? How long does it have to run for before it goes into all the lines?

I was told carburetor lines had to be grain before winterizing, is that true? If so, for next season what would I need to fill the lines again?

Just dump it in double dose, fill tank with fuel, then run the bike so it gets into the carbs. Personally I prefer to leave fuel in the bowls and lines so the needle valves don't dry out. I have done it both ways..dry and wet...do what lets you sleep the best at night. 

[hedgehog88]

So you're saying have to drain the fuel tank before adding the stabilizer? What is the fastest way to drain the tank?

Thanks for your help.

[Suzuki Stevo]

So you're saying have to drain the fuel tank before adding the stabilizer? What is the fastest way to drain the tank?

Thanks for your help.

No...don't drain the tank unless your fuel is already old, just make sure the tank is full before you store the bike.

[bombsquad83]

I've heard that seafoam also works well as a fuel stabilizer.  I'm using some this year.

I got this charger/maintainer and I really recommend it.  Works great for charging/trickle/maintaining, and its all automatic.  Also works for 6V batteries.  Only $20 on amazon.  I got it at Walmart last year.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EI6A8K?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

[jestercinti]

Make sure your water level is correct if you have a conventional battery.

[rharding91]

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/Battery_Maintainer_1000/web1011357

This was on sale at my local cycle gear for 15$ last month. Looks like theyve stopped the sale though. I "almost" picked up two just because but I never have to winterize my bike

[Suzuki Stevo]

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/Battery_Maintainer_1000/web1011357

This was on sale at my local cycle gear for 15$ last month. Looks like theyve stopped the sale though. I "almost" picked up two just because but I never have to winterize my bike

Battery Tenders & Sta-Bil are highly appreciated by Stevo, they make bike hoarding a breeze 

[mister]

Make sure your water level is correct if you have a conventional battery.

^^^^ This ^^^^

Sluggish start, check water level in battery. Will most likely be low. Refill & leave or refill and start and go for a good ride. Battery should fire much better after.

Battery charger. Well, I ride mine daily so don't have a need to plug it in to something each day. Stevo has five bikes so obviously his needs are different.

If you do nothing to your battery, it will be fine with a charge up at the end of winter. Just be sure to disconnect it from the bike during storage. 

Michael

[Suzuki Stevo]

Stevo has five bikes so obviously his needs are different.

If I had one bike, I would still have a need for a Battery Tender 

EDIT: If you can keep your voltage above 12.4V your golden, trouble is..conventional MC batteries have a hard time staying alive while not in use, not sure why, maybe it's their size?

[mister]

Stevo has five bikes so obviously his needs are different.

If I had one bike, I would still have a need for a Battery Tender 

Yes, but your needs are different. Hence you have a battery tender.

I ride daily - but - I still have a battery charger that can Fast charge or Trickle charge.

If you own a car or bike or both, get yourself a battery charger/tender/whatever, that can put oomph into a battery when you may need it. Just makes good sense. 

Michael

[craigs449]

I have the original battery tender, although i ride my bike every day.  I use it for my tractor in the winter, and alternate it to the other machines as needed.

[twocool]

Take a questionable battery to Advance Auto Parts (or similar) they will have a battery test unit and will run a test for free which will diagnose battery condition.  (maybe just needs water and or a charge, maybe battery is shot)

Above somebody mentioned charging up a battery after the winter storage....No good.....best to store a batter with a full charge...charge fully, then store.....storing a battery which is low on charge can lead to damage...especially if exposed to freezing temperatures....

Battery tender is best idea during storage....

Lead acid battery is happy when fully charged.....


Cookie

[Huff1371]

I installed a permanently mounted battery charger/tender/massager/fluffer. I picked it up at wal-mart for like $20 and it's small enough to mount where the tool bag goes. It a little weird to pull up at the house and plug my bike in but I never have to worry about it not having a charge.

[mister]

Above somebody mentioned charging up a battery after the winter storage....No good.....best to store a batter with a full charge...charge fully, then store.....storing a battery which is low on charge can lead to damage...especially if exposed to freezing temperatures....

It would be assumed, if the bike is being ridden, then the battery is fully charged before winter storage.

Battery businesses, walmart, gas stations with service mechanics on hand, etc.,  all store batteries without hooking them up all the time to a charger each night.

But hey, if getting yourself a battery tender makes you all warm and fuzzy and can suits your needs, then get one of those. Simple really.

Michael