Question on charging motorcycle battery...safe?

[Chris B.]

I bought one of these $6.00 12 volt battery tenders from Harbor Freight. Called the Harley Dealer and asked a couple questions about charging the battery and they told me only the Harley brand $50 tender is safe.

I just want to make sur this is safe to use before I hook it up. Should I disconnect the batery from the bike 1st or can I just hook it up while the battery is connected to the bik and leave it for the rest of winter? Here is a picture of the tender I bought:

 

[wileyE]

Had one on a dirt bike since 06, does what it's supposed to do. I cut the clips off and replaced it with plugs so i can just plug the bike in. Used CB radio 12v power plugs from radio shack.

They are only about 750ma so don't expect them to charge a low battery too fast. On my bigger road bikes I use 1.5a maintainers, a craftsman, an eveready from walmart, and another one name escapes me. All do the job, it's not rocket science.

Some of the more expensive models do provide a better battery condition lights, green yellow red which the cheap one does not. It's just green showing it has power, whether plugged into the battery or not.

The lights can be useful in that you might have a battery that ends up staying yellow even after being plugged in all night. Might wanna start thinkin about replacement before taking off on a trip or something.

 

[Chris142]

It is safe to use. Or well it should be as long as the Chinese workmanship is ok.

 

[MCompact]

I bought an AGM battery and an Accumate charger from WestCo Battery The Accumate cost $60 and I believe that it's worth every penny. I also use it on my two ZTR mowers as well as my two garage queens. That $6.00 chopstick special may work fine, but in my case I wouldn't want to bet the safety of my bike or its battery on anything less than an Accumate or a Battery Tender. Just my $.02...

 

[wileyE]

The sad thing is, the country of origin of almost any charger you buy is China. If not the circuit inside probably is.
I agree though, almost half of everything I've bought Harbor freight has turned out to be junk. The little maintainer has worked fine. You can pick up a maintainer anywhere, it doesn't have to be bike $pecific, surely not genuine HD. I'd do a 1.5a on the big harley battery.

 

[harley145000]

as long you are using harley motor oil you will be ok.Just kidding ,that tender will work well that you have.

 

[hd2002]

I'm sure it will be fine. You could always check battery voltage every so often just to be sure.

 

[jldcol]

I would remove battery from bike and monitor it for a while, at least until you can trust it or not. Do you have a digital volt meter, if so check it daily at first for a week and see if volts go over 15, if below 15 but over 14, start checking every 3 days. If still good the check weekly for the rest of a month. If still good 1 month later, reinstall battery on bike and check it monthly.

 

[PT1]

Look at the box...it says "not a trickle charger". Get a HD charger from Zanotti's HD online. It trickle charges your battery and shuts off by itself. It also comes with a harness you leave on the bike so it is plug & play...way easy & safe for your electronics.

 

[47HO]

Chris,

Your dealership spokesman is an idiot. He just wants to sell you something.

Although the cheap trickle charger you refer to is not a "smart" charger, in that it won't cutoff, it is fine for use over a few days at at time, maybe longer.

BTW, HD does not make battery chargers; it is a relabeled Deltran "Battery Tender".

 

[BigJohn]

Got my battery tender from WalMart for $19.97....and it works splendid. As long as it is automatic (turns on and off) and the charge is very low, 1.5 amps or lower....you should be good.

 

[Drew2000]

If the bike battery is a AGM type, something like a Battery Tender is what should be used. AGM batteries have different charging/voltage requirements than plain 'ol wet-cell lead acid and a charger that doesn't taper off the voltage correctly can shorten battery life. (AGM's also tend to be fairly expensive) A battery Tender can be safely left charging any battery for the whole winter. I use the Plus model and charge two bikes at the same time.

If you have a plain wet-cell battery, your charger can be used, but not left on continuously, as it might boil out the electrolyte. Plug it in a few houres each week and you should be OK, but at around $20 bucks for the Battery Tender Junior, it saves alot of hassle.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
I bought one of these $6.00 12 volt battery tenders from Harbor Freight. Called the Harley Dealer and asked a couple questions about charging the battery and they told me only the Harley brand $50 tender is safe.

I just want to make sur this is safe to use before I hook it up. Should I disconnect the batery from the bike 1st or can I just hook it up while the battery is connected to the bik and leave it for the rest of winter? Here is a picture of the tender I bought:

I've got 6 of those exact chargers. They are hooked up to all my Harleys and Classic cars. Never a problem - they work well.

 

[Chris B.]

Thanks to all of you!
Dam though!!! Some of you sound as if this thing will deatroy the earth and others claim to use it just fine.......it can't be both! I'm going to give it a shot because $50 for a HD charger is crazy if this $6 thing will do the job.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
I bought one of these $6.00 12 volt battery tenders from Harbor Freight. Called the Harley Dealer and asked a couple questions about charging the battery and they told me only the Harley brand $50 tender is safe.

I just want to make sur this is safe to use before I hook it up. Should I disconnect the batery from the bike 1st or can I just hook it up while the battery is connected to the bik and leave it for the rest of winter? Here is a picture of the tender I bought:

I've got 6 of those exact chargers. They are hooked up to all my Harleys and Classic cars. Never a problem - they work well.


Good to know! So ow long do you leave them on the battery and do you take the battery out or leave it in the vehical? Thanks!

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: 47HO


BTW, HD does not make battery chargers; it is a relabeled Deltran "Battery Tender".


Uh no kidding........

They only assemble motorcycles. I just like the idea of the self shut off. I had a friend toast his battery, ecm & several relays by hooking up a POS battery tender to his bike and then forgetting to shut it off. So, I will pay the extra few bucks to get a decent one. But that's just me. Plus with the HD tender you don't have to take the battery out of the bike as it comes with a pigtail that stays on the bike. So you just plug it in. That is the point of buying the HD brand. If you know anything about Harley's they specifically tell you to remove the maxi fuse before you touch the battery. If you have the HD charger you don't have to go through that procedure. Way easier.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: 47HO

Chris,

Your dealership spokesman is an idiot. He just wants to sell you something.



Oh yeah??? If you toast your ECM with that thing get ready to shell out a few hundred $$ for a new one plus a re-map if you have an EFI bike. You will need to remove your maxi-fuse every time you connect that thing or risk shorting out your electronics. Your dealer is telling you the truth.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Drew2000
If the bike battery is a AGM type, something like a Battery Tender is what should be used. AGM batteries have different charging/voltage requirements than plain 'ol wet-cell lead acid and a charger that doesn't taper off the voltage correctly can shorten battery life. (AGM's also tend to be fairly expensive) A battery Tender can be safely left charging any battery for the whole winter. I use the Plus model and charge two bikes at the same time.



You have an AGM battery from the XL service manual:

All AGM batteries are permanently sealed, maintenance-free,
valve-regulated, lead/calcium and sulfuric acid batteries. The
batteries are shipped pre-charged and ready to be put into
service. Do not attempt to open these batteries for any reason.

Do not allow battery to completely discharge. The electrolyte
in a discharged battery will freeze. The more discharged
a battery is, the more easily it can freeze and
crack the battery case. (00218a)
If the motorcycle will not be operated for several months,
such as during the winter season, remove the battery from
the motorcycle and fully charge.
See Figure 1-13. Self-discharge is a normal condition and
occurs continuously at a rate that depends on the ambient
temperature and the battery’s state of charge. Batteries discharge
at a faster rate at higher ambient temperatures. To
reduce the self-discharge rate, store battery in a cool (not
freezing), dry place.
Charge the battery every month if stored at temperatures
below 60° F (16° C). Charge the battery more frequently if
stored in a warm area above 60° F (16° C).
NOTE
The GLOBAL BATTERY CHARGER (Part No. 99863-01) may
be used to maintain battery charge for extended periods of
time without risk of overcharging or boiling.

 

[Redline955]

I've been using the Battery Tender Plus for years. I used to take my battery out of the bike, but now leave it plugged in. The best charger, IMO. I have an AGM battery. We had a wicked lightning storm last summer, and it killed my battery tender. But even though it was hooked up to the bike my electrical system wasn't damaged. Got a replacement from Chapperal for 32 bucks.

 

[Chris B.]

I'm going to take the battery out and charge it out of the bike. How long should I charge it before unpluging the charger?