Author Topic: battery tender recommendations (Read 4660 times)

evinrude7 · « **on:** October 22, 2017, 06:34:01 PM »

looking for a battery tender/maintainer for this winter. i plan on riding as much as i can but obviously with it being winter there may be some longer down time. i have an couple of old chargers shown below. the larger black sears charger is what i use whenever i run the battery down. it works well for a depleted battery but i'm interested in something to maintain it and not sure if what i have is capable of doing the job properly. suggestions appreciated.

RandomOrbit · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2017, 07:03:38 PM »

They say you shouldn't charge a motorcycle battery at more than 1 amp, even when it's been heavily depleted, but I imagine 2 amps is not too bad for a couple hours. I'm sure some will disagree with me, and I'm OK with that. There are lots on here more knowledgeable than me, but I have "gotten away with" charging my motorcycle batteries at 6 amps over the years.

If you want something to plug it into and leave it plugged in, you'll want something more like a battery maintainer which automatically switches into a "maintenance mode" once the battery reaches full charge, thereby avoiding boiling it. You can leave that on all winter if you want as that is what they are designed for.

Since you probably will ride it at least once a month, it might be easy enough to just put it on that 1 amp charger overnight about once a month or so. That should be more than adequate to maintain the charge in a good battery over the winter, especially since you probably don't see really cold temps where you are. Freezing a battery will reck it, but it's resistant to freezing when it's got a good charge, and should be fine even to -20º F as long as it gets charged up again after it's gotten that cold. The only downside to doing it like that is that you have to remember to do it.

evinrude7 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2017, 07:37:08 PM »

i've had the battery on that charger for 8+ hours.

it works. perhaps the battery won't deliver past a year's use because of that but it doesn't make me concerned so long as it didn't explode.

it was a $70 battery that got me through my first year of riding and learning. maybe it'll last longer than expected. good point about amperage and how much is useful/hurtful. interested in something small and reasonably priced that does the job. a unit that i can set and forget.

TwoTired · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2017, 07:46:28 PM »

I have and had good service from Yuasa Smartshot chargers. They have 5 stage algorithms, as well as float charge. One model is a 1.5 Amp and has a weekly re-evaluation cycle to keep the battery in peak charge.

I see they have a newer product line out now that are intended to maintain AGM batteries. They work fine for flooded types, too.
I wouldn't hesitate to get one of these if I needed another at this time.

But, I have 5 or 6 chargers already with most of them automatic. So, probably won't need any more of them.

I have a dumb 6 amp charger from 1964 intended for bigger car batteries. Yes, I have used it on the small motorcycle batteries, too. But, you have to monitor the battery voltage carefully and constantly, so as not to overcharge and damage it. I never use it peak charge a battery. But, will use to about 80% of capacity if I need it in short time. Once it gets to 14.5V, it's done with charging, for sure.

Cheers,

P.S. Here is a Yuasa technical manual that I downloaded a while back. Some good info despite the sale pitch bent.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2017, 11:08:02 PM »

I have been using 2 Battery Tender brand chargers. ~ $50. Great. When I recently bought 3 more bikes I dropped by our new Cycle Gear store (online too) and they had their Duraboost charger/maintainer 750. Half price $14.99 each 12VDC .75A Plug leads and clip leads. Model 188670. I see them going red/green/red/green. Seem to be fine and can't beat the price. I bought 3.

Deltarider · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2017, 11:53:02 PM »

These days a smart 7-stage charger (desulphatisation program included) offering motorcycle, car and frost mode, won't set you back more than € 15,- at Lidl supermarkets (Amazon offers them for a lot more). In tests they proved 'good' (the Swedish CTEK the absolute winner however). Personally I'd never leave them connected all of the time. Garages owned by corporations will not allow you (safety and insurance). Connecting it every 5-6 weeks for 24h will do, is my experience. Then there's the environment. It's been calculated that in all of Europe two coalburning powerplants work around the clock just to generate the electricity for... our doorbelltrafos! Now doorbells ring only a few seconds a day (if at all) and all the time, 24/7 valuable energy is wasted in... heat. It's the same with all these tenders.
http://offers.kd2.org/en/ie/lidl/polr/

Video contains important safety warning.

PeWe · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2017, 03:10:29 AM »

+5 for CTEK!
I have a CTEK MXS 5.0 that has modes for Car (max 5A) and for Motorcycle (max 0.8A)
Work really fine, cost not that much and is small. I have GEL batteries, 14Ah and 11Ah. + 60Ah std car battery.
I have a charger cable installed on my bike's battery with a rubber connector hanging behind my carbs. No need to open seat for charging
http://www.ctek.com/products/vehicle/connect-eyelet-m6
One was delivered with the charger, I bought extra for my car and no need to use the clamps that can get loose when closing the hood.

Not for Motorcycle AGM batteries since it charge 5A in that mode.

For motorcycle battery only, go for a smaller one. They offer many models.
http://www.ctek.com/products?category=313f09f37f674d3794c5bb684196d572&filter-productrecommendedfor=motorcycle&last-clicked=filter-productrecommendedfor

I have a friend I recommended the CTEK for, he bought a cheaper one and got problems in the eager to save max 40USD. CTEK MXS 5.0 cost around 100USD here, possible to buy with 10-20% discount from an Autostore.
I'm sure my CTEK will live as long as I need it and battery tech has changed to other needs.

evinrude7 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2017, 06:15:55 AM »

thanks for the replies. i should be able to narrow it down to something now.

flybox1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2017, 06:33:31 AM »

https://no.co/g750

NOCO Genius G750 - Best charger I've had.

BobbyR · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2017, 12:36:00 PM »

I have always had a concern with battery maintainers since one cooked a perfectly good battery on me a few years back. What I did was use one of those inexpensive light timers that plug into the wall. Set it of 1 hour and I have had no issues.

Stev-o · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2017, 02:51:28 PM »

I like Battery Tenders, $26 on Amazon....

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=pd_sim_263_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZX1TJ2Q01S5S21MD0Q3E

ekpent · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2017, 04:38:53 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on October 23, 2017, 02:51:28 PM

I like Battery Tenders, $31 on Amazon....

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0220196/dp/B00Y54JI4G/ref=pd_day0_263_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YFXF7SPQGM8ZJGYGZA7D

I've got a couple of those and have not cooked a battery yet. The one Steve pictured is 6 volts though. I don't run them 24/7 but do rotate them around to different batteries I have periodically.

Deltarider · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2017, 05:04:25 AM »

Quote

I don't run them 24/7 but do rotate them around to different batteries I have periodically.

So do I. Only when needed. < 12,5V and I'll do a recharge. We're talking batteries, not babies. A battery that needs a tender constantly, is no longer a battery.

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2017, 06:07:50 AM »

Quote from: ekpent on October 24, 2017, 04:38:53 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on October 23, 2017, 02:51:28 PM
I like Battery Tenders, $31 on Amazon....

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0220196/dp/B00Y54JI4G/ref=pd_day0_263_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YFXF7SPQGM8ZJGYGZA7D
I've got a couple of those and have not cooked a battery yet. The one Steve pictured is 6 volts though.

Ooops, wrong one. Here.........

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=pd_sim_263_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZX1TJ2Q01S5S21MD0Q3E

PeWe · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2017, 06:32:07 AM »

I have sometimes ideas about a larger version with 12V output as power supply.
CTEK MXS 7.0 and 10. Not for Motorcycle batteries. Might be something when camping using the car.

pjlogue · « **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2017, 08:16:24 AM »

For bike batteries (Lead/acid) you want a charger that limits the output to 1.0 Amp or a little below. More current than that can damage (warp) the plates inside the battery. I put my battery on a maintainer when I know I'm not going to be riding for a few weeks. You want a charger that will do a float charge. That means if the battery voltage drops below a full charge it will put energy into the battery to bring it back up to full charge and then stop charging. A trickle charger will ruin a good battery by over charging it! All a trickle charger does is limit the charge to a fixed low current. It does not shut the current off when the battery is fully charged, it over charges it.

A battery will self discharge over time. When the charge gets below ~80% the lead plates start to form sulfate crystals on them. These crystals are not very soluble after they form so they accumulate and they are also not conductive. As the lead plates get more and more covered with these crystals the battery's ability to produce power drops. This is why batteries that are constantly left to discharge for months don't last long. Using a float charger and limiting the current during charge is the best way to keep a battery going for many years. Also keep the electrolyte at the proper level.

Probably more than you wanted to know. I learned the hard way.

-P.

TwoTired · « **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2017, 12:04:50 PM »

Quote from: BobbyR on October 23, 2017, 12:36:00 PM

I have always had a concern with battery maintainers since one cooked a perfectly good battery on me a few years back. What I did was use one of those inexpensive light timers that plug into the wall. Set it of 1 hour and I have had no issues.

The timer addition is a very good technique for charger maintainers that don't have a built in re-evaluation cycle. The only rub is if the charger uses battery power to enable it's battery evaluation circuit. If that's the case, power cycling the AC input won't restart the charge-to maintain cycle, and remain in float mode. (I have one that does this.) The battery needs a periodic "jolt", to desulfate the plates and reach the electrolyte farthest from the plates.

Cheers,

Steve_K · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2017, 06:31:39 AM »

I have used Battery Tenders for years. I have 3 of them and all I can say, is that using them gave me extended battery life.
For example, a 92 VFR that I had for 6 years, 40k miles, 05 SV1000S 10 years 40k miles, SV650S 30 k miles and all of them on the original battery. Lucky, I suppose so. The CB750 and CB550 batteries are only a couple of years old, so I can't say how long they will last. BTW, the long lasting batteries were are sealed, no maintenance.

PS: my other bikes had similar results, as also my sister's riding lawn mower and SIL's ATV

Steve

evinrude7 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2017, 05:14:51 PM »

thanks steve.

tlbranth · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2017, 06:23:20 PM »

I have several Battery Tender Juniors. I hook up as soon as I pull in. I had three Sears Craftsman tenders, 2 of which quit. I wouldn't recommend them. The Battery Tenders have worked well for me and to my knowledge have not done damage. I had one die which was under warranty and replaced.

Just for grins, here's a post I put on NGW some time back entitled "Like tits on a boar hog"

Tractor won't start. Battery's dead. It's got a maintainer on it so why's it dead? Who knows. Try the whiz -bang 21st century electronic Univac battery charger. It should have a little display that says 'I don't think so'. Or maybe it tweets that. I mean, why would a battery charger do anything to a battery that actually needs charging? God forbid it should over-extend its sensitive self. So as usual, I drag out my early 60's Schauer battery charger, hook it up and 1/2 hour later the tractor fires up.
I suppose the new compressors are going to turn their noses up at a flat tire and say (or tweet) 'Are you kidding? The things flat. I'm not messing with it'.
Glad I held on to my old charger.

PeWe · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2017, 10:02:28 PM »

I charge my batteries a few days every 2 months or so. A CTEK charger can be plugged in constantly with correct maintenance charging curves. That is the small extra fee to pay for.

The old battery chargers however, did not even have a correct DC, almost AC, not good for modern cars and bikes with electronics if charged with battery plugged in.

edwardmorris · « **Reply #21 on:** August 29, 2021, 07:44:53 PM »

I apologize for resurrecting this ghost of a thread

Hey guys, hope you're all doing well. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, life keeps getting in the way

. My K3 still awaits final assembly and my K2 still is turn key perfection and in active use

. What brought me back today is the fact that my favorite battery tender Yuasa YUA1200901 is no longer available

. The K2 still has the scorpion AGM running flawlessly since the build, thanks to proper maintenance from this tender. I wanted to grab a spare for use down the line (ideally 2 bikes) but was disappointed to hear its discontinued. I searched around here, and looks like ctek is a good option. Any others? Or something from Yuasa itself that can take YUA1200901's place?

newday777 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2021, 02:01:08 AM »

Quote from: edwardmorris on August 29, 2021, 07:44:53 PM

I apologize for resurrecting this ghost of a thread

Hey guys, hope you're all doing well. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, life keeps getting in the way . My K3 still awaits final assembly and my K2 still is turn key perfection and in active use . What brought me back today is the fact that my favorite battery tender Yuasa YUA1200901 is no longer available . The K2 still has the scorpion AGM running flawlessly since the build, thanks to proper maintenance from this tender. I wanted to grab a spare for use down the line (ideally 2 bikes) but was disappointed to hear its discontinued. I searched around here, and looks like ctek is a good option. Any others? Or something from Yuasa itself that can take YUA1200901's place?

I bought a couple of the Schumacher 3 amp maintainer auto desulfator chargers 4 years ago. I left one on my K5 in October of 2019 for my usual winter away to San Diego thinking I'd be back by June of 2020. I was concerned about my 3 year old wet cell battery boiling out while away as it ended up I didn't get back until June of this year. To my joy to find the battery still at 95% and not burned up after 19 months was a great surprise thinking I'd be buying a new battery when I got back. I plug it in after every ride.
Wasted energy keeping it on the time away? Maybe so. But my battery is still going after 3 years.

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SP1297-Automatic-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0756PV96N

Deltarider · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2021, 03:59:38 AM »

3A is a bit much for our batteries, 1 to 1,2A is fine. In Europe, good ones can be bought at Lidl or Aldi for as little as € 15,-. They have a 'motorcycle mode' which limits the current. They are quite sophisticated and reliable. No need to spend more imo.
BTW, the more I read about other than conventional lead-acid batteries, the more I'm convinced, I should stay with the latter. Mailorder company Louis is clear about the gel batteries they offer: 14,35V is the max voltage for them. A CB500/550 en route normally sees 14,5V and a CB350F even 15V...

newday777 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2021, 04:44:01 AM »

Quote from: Deltarider on August 30, 2021, 03:59:38 AM

3A is a bit much for our batteries, 1 to 1,2A is fine. In Europe, good ones can be bought at Lidl or Aldi for as little as € 15,-. They have a 'motorcycle mode' which limits the current. They are quite sophisticated and reliable. No need to spend more imo.
BTW, the more I read about other than conventional lead-acid batteries, the more I'm convinced, I should stay with the latter. Mailorder company Louis is clear about the gel batteries they offer: 14,35V is the max voltage for them. A CB500/550 en route normally sees 14,5V and a CB350F even 15V...

If it wasn't a Smart charger, yes, 3 amp would be questionable.

TwoTired · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2021, 06:18:51 AM »

Quote

If it wasn't a Smart charger, yes, 3 amp would be questionable.

Yep, exactly right. And, the bigger 750 batteries are more tolerant, as well.

Cheers,

Stev-o · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2021, 08:20:43 AM »

Quote from: edwardmorris on August 29, 2021, 07:44:53 PM

Hey guys, hope you're all doing well. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, life keeps getting in the way

Hey Mo...welcome back. Good to hear you still have your bikes. I also like the Yuasa, but the 12V900 is not available. Here is a good replacement...

https://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUA1201000-Automatic-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B00HZTDKZG

PS. Would be nice if you made the SS oil lines again!

edwardmorris · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2021, 06:22:36 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 30, 2021, 08:20:43 AM

Quote from: edwardmorris on August 29, 2021, 07:44:53 PM

Hey guys, hope you're all doing well. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, life keeps getting in the way

Hey Mo...welcome back. Good to hear you still have your bikes. I also like the Yuasa, but the 12V900 is not available. Here is a good replacement...

https://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUA1201000-Automatic-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B00HZTDKZG

PS. Would be nice if you made the SS oil lines again!

Thanks Stev-o! Damn I miss hanging around here

ask and ye shall have when it comes to help.

I'd love to make more lines, but unfortunately the guys who had the proper machines to do the crimp have closed shop due to covid

I need to find another place that has the right machine, and more importantly is willing to take on small orders. If I do get to it, rest assured here is the only place they will be available...

Johnie · « **Reply #28 on:** September 05, 2021, 12:11:48 PM »

I have 6 Battery Tenders and all work excellent. I have no reason to try something else.

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Author Topic: battery tender recommendations (Read 4660 times)