SR-71
Well-known member
Do you need a float charger (like the Tender)? Much depends on how often you use your bike. Consider this. Many of us use our cages everyday. The charging system in our cage recharges (re-peaks) the battery daily and the battery lasts for several years. But let your car sit for 6 or 8 months and you might be hunting down a set of jumper cables! :angry2:
I use Tender chargers on our 3 bikes, two jetskis, and our tractor, reason being, my machines have a tendency to sit for long periods of time, sometimes 6 to 8 months at a time, (I have a lot of other hobbies). Prior to using Tender chargers (based on my usage cycle) I used to get 2 to (maybe) 3 years out of a battery. Since I started using Tenders I typically get 4, 5, and even 6 years out of a battery (my tractor battery is coming on its 6th year and still going strong).
But a float charger isn't something you simply connect and forget. Before you connect any charger to a battery (especially a float charger like the Tender) the battery should be in decent health; meaning the specific gravity measurement of each cell should be within specs, and if you have a wet cell type battery, the electrolyte levels need to be above the plates, plus the battery terminals and cables should be free of corrosion. Plus remember a Tender was never designed to bring a dead battery back to life. It's purpose in life is just to "maintain" a battery at its peak charge, by monitoring the charge state of the battery and applying a small charge when needed. The Tender can be considered a "mini-charger" meaning it can only supply a small about of charging current (1.5 amps max), so your battery should already have at least a minimum charge on it (better than 10.5 volts or so).
Once a year I make sure the fluid levels in my batteries are correct, and I keep Tender's on my machines when they aren't in use. I've never had my machines fail to start, regardless of the how cold it gets. And winter is the real test of battery condition. Ever notice how many cages won't start in the cold weather? Reason is, cold temperatures can rob up to 40% of the energy out of your battery, plus the starter is fighting colder, thicker oil - hence more battery power is required. If a battery is on the verge of being bad, cold temps can take it completely out.
Batteries tend lose energy when they sit. Add to that, you may have on-board electrical systems (alarm, clock, etc) that can draw small amounts of energy out of a battery when it sits (even with your key off). Let a battery sit too long without charging and sooner or later the battery will drop below a critical voltage and that's it.
No rocket science here. One of two things need to happen in order for your battery to last several years. One, ride often to recharge the battery, or if it sits for prolong periods of time, use some kind of float charger to compensate for what your normal charging system does.
SR-71
I use Tender chargers on our 3 bikes, two jetskis, and our tractor, reason being, my machines have a tendency to sit for long periods of time, sometimes 6 to 8 months at a time, (I have a lot of other hobbies). Prior to using Tender chargers (based on my usage cycle) I used to get 2 to (maybe) 3 years out of a battery. Since I started using Tenders I typically get 4, 5, and even 6 years out of a battery (my tractor battery is coming on its 6th year and still going strong).
But a float charger isn't something you simply connect and forget. Before you connect any charger to a battery (especially a float charger like the Tender) the battery should be in decent health; meaning the specific gravity measurement of each cell should be within specs, and if you have a wet cell type battery, the electrolyte levels need to be above the plates, plus the battery terminals and cables should be free of corrosion. Plus remember a Tender was never designed to bring a dead battery back to life. It's purpose in life is just to "maintain" a battery at its peak charge, by monitoring the charge state of the battery and applying a small charge when needed. The Tender can be considered a "mini-charger" meaning it can only supply a small about of charging current (1.5 amps max), so your battery should already have at least a minimum charge on it (better than 10.5 volts or so).
Once a year I make sure the fluid levels in my batteries are correct, and I keep Tender's on my machines when they aren't in use. I've never had my machines fail to start, regardless of the how cold it gets. And winter is the real test of battery condition. Ever notice how many cages won't start in the cold weather? Reason is, cold temperatures can rob up to 40% of the energy out of your battery, plus the starter is fighting colder, thicker oil - hence more battery power is required. If a battery is on the verge of being bad, cold temps can take it completely out.
Batteries tend lose energy when they sit. Add to that, you may have on-board electrical systems (alarm, clock, etc) that can draw small amounts of energy out of a battery when it sits (even with your key off). Let a battery sit too long without charging and sooner or later the battery will drop below a critical voltage and that's it.
No rocket science here. One of two things need to happen in order for your battery to last several years. One, ride often to recharge the battery, or if it sits for prolong periods of time, use some kind of float charger to compensate for what your normal charging system does.
SR-71
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