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When To Use Battery Tender?
So I got the '21 Freewheeler in mid July and here it is November in NJ and it's been 40 degrees for the last 3 days. Went out once regardless for a quick ride, but that's it. Supposed to go into the mid 60's soon, but being as this is the beginning of the crappy season when's a good time to resign myself to putting the battery tender on and should I even bother?
I use mine anytime the trike is sitting in the garage... year round.
"I don't need a map. I still have a road in front of me!"
Yes, My Tender is on when ever the Trike is parked over night.........
2013 Tri-Glide with a few extras
Vietnam Vet 66 / 67
CQ CQ DE KD4LZL
Member Patriot Guard Riders
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
If you are not going to ride the trike for weeks ....Just get a tender...[I use the eXtender maintainer]...And leave it on 24/7....I keep my trolling motor battery plugged on one all winter...And one i keep at camp for my Atv/Side-by...Originally Posted by JTJersey
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
Interesting. I never owned a battery tender until a few year ago and only ever used it when my Triumph was in the garage for weeks on end in cold weather. My Pan and my Lowrider would go 5 years on a battery and never saw a tender.
Like all newer vechiles there is a drain on the batteries just sitting there without anything turnt on....Security systems...Clocks ETC....[Parasitic drain]...
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
Exactly why a tender is necessary with vehicles today.
"I don't need a map. I still have a road in front of me!"
Yeah, didn't have this stuff on my Pan or Shovel. So is there an official recommended down time before a tender should be plugged in?
Not 'official' but after a ride I plug in as soon as the bike has cooled down a bit. Sure can't hurt with a proper tender as it monitors and adjusts to prevent overcharging. Got one a few years back for my riding mower. Previously I had to get a new battery for it every spring after it sat over the winter but with the tender I get several years (and a lot less frustration) from the battery. I'm a 'true believer' in using a batter tender.
No....It can't hurt anything no matter when you plug it in...Also..Don't get one of those trickle chargers....If left on indefinitely they will rune the battery..
Just to add....The eXtenders model's i have are called Smart eXtender maintainers and Analyzer.......
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
While on the subject of storage how about fuel stabilizer? Should it go in when I'm sure the bike isn't going anywhere for several weeks in maybe January? What happens if there's an unexpected warm spell, will the stabilizer bother anything if I go riding?
The stabilizer wound't harm a thing...
I use stabilizer in my snow blower and generator and all stored gasoline ...With my tri-glide i every now and then will add a few oz's of sea foam....
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
With today's gasoline a fuel stabilizer is good anytime the trike is going to sit the a while.
"I don't need a map. I still have a road in front of me!"
I googled these exact words and didn’t know come up with anything resembling a charger/maintainer…. Can you be more specific? Thanks.No....It can't hurt anything no matter when you plug it in...Also..Don't get one of those trickle chargers....If left on indefinitely they will rune the battery..
Just to add....The eXtenders model's i have are called
Smart eXtender maintainers and Analyzer....
New course heading Mr. Sulu: ...2nd star to the right and straight on til morning...!!
Scooter and Sassi....2 furrever.
I use a battery tender, not a trickle charger, when the bike will be inactive for more than a couple of weeks. A battery that is in decent condition will have no problem sitting for a week or two. If, after that period of time the battery shows any sign of weakness, then you know it's time to replace. I used to keep my bike's batteries on maintainers all the time when not in riding but that caused me a problem. My battery had unknowingly gone bad. But because it was on a maintainer it had a surface charge that started the bike just fine. After riding a little over 300 miles and parking overnight, I had zero battery. Needed to replace it on the road which was not fun. These little bike batteries can give up life suddenly without warning. Better to have that happen at home than on the road. This is what works for me..... Jim
2005 Premium Mustang Convertible
2008 Honda GL1800/California Sidecar Trike SOLD
2014 CanAm Spyder RTL SOLD
Semper Fi
Battery eXtender......Schumacher......3a....Sold at Home depot and tractor supply amoung others...
Model # SP 1356.....And or SP 1297....
Last edited by rhino 2; 11-16-2021 at 10:07 PM.
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
Same here
2020 TriGlide Tahitian Teal aka (Hawaiian Hussy). Avon frt & Comfortred rear tires. ProAction frt & rear susp. RZ seat. DK floorboard extension & rear axle retainer kit with EBS, HD pull -back bars. Custom Dynamics front turn signals & Vent grill. All ,HD "Edge Cut " accessories.
Think about your battery as being full
Keeping it plugged in to a tender will keep your battery topped off
The electronics on your bike will thank you and your charging system will not have to work as hard each time you want to go for a ride
Fuel stabilizer will be a plus, and or topping off your tank with Ethanol free gas would also be a plus
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
I have had good luck using these for years. I keep one on the trike and the zero-turn mower. I put one on my motorhome engine battery over the Winter when it's not in use.It looks like they are on sale now, too.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...2201_200332201
Bill
2010 Tri-glide, Red Hot Sunglo
R I P MANDY
The floating mode on a tender half keep the sulfur out of the battery
Be who your dog thinks you are.
2021 Tri Glide Ultra Vivid Black with some Farkles.
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