Battery Tenders?

[trikebldr]

Experience/opinions on Battery Tenders for winter use?

[debron]

I use a Battery Tender Jr. year-round. There is always a drain on the battery of a XII, not sure about the 1300. I have another I keep on my riding lawn mower. But get a good one, they're not expensive. The BT Jr is only about $25.

[voyager55]

Battery tender

[SgtSlag]

I have used one on three different bikes since 2006, for winter storage. I love them because they are "set and forget" for the whole time. I also plug in after every ride to keep the battery at full charge, at all times. It made a difference on my '79 Honda 750, which was very noticable (it turned over faster, with more gusto, if the charger had been connected, and the voltmeter read more than a volt higher, at startup).

I used the BT Jr. for years, but I had to replace it this Summer, due to it being crushed under the car's tires. Oops! I bought a knock-off from Wal-Mart, which was around $15, instead of $30. It is also a 2 Amp unit, instead of 750 mA, so it is better suited to the Voyager's 24 Amp-hour battery (max. charging rate of 2.4 Amps). It also keeps the battery at a lower charging voltage than the BT Jr. did, which I also like. Frankly, I would not go back to a BT Jr. after using the much less expensive Wal-Mart unit, which seems to be "smarter" than the BT Jr., as well as faster (2 Amps, instead of 0.75 Amps). Cheers!

[Mr Jensee]

Yusa Smart Shot is the one I use, has lights on it to tell you when it is charging and when in tending mode. Not expensive and you can get one at bike dealers and I have even seen it at Walmart. Keep your bike plugged into it when you are not riding it year round. It is good for the battery. If you use a tender on a lead acid battery, make sure you check the water level frequently.

[Okie34]

Bruce, I use one on mine most of the time. Not so much in the summer months, but religiously through the winter (I ride year round). Since you live further north and will probably park it, I would make sure it's on a tender. Takes the worry out of wondering if the battery survived it's siesta....

-- JD

[Ozymandias]

I use a BatteryMinder. It is very similar to the Battery Tender and not only smart-trickle charges but desulfates as well. I've used it for several years and have never had a problem. I ride year round (not always easy in Nebraska) and plug in the bike after every ride.

[trikebldr]

Thanks, guys! Good to hear several opinions. I think I will check out what is at Walmart and then probably go to Amazon to order a Jr. for the bike. I have so many batteries to tend during the winter, I was also thinking of of one of their four-station tenders. I have four 6V golf-cart batteries in my motorhome, one engine battery in there, too, two large truck batteries in my bobtail truck, my riding mower, a snowblower and our spare, backup car.

[SgtSlag]

You may want to look seriously into a desulfating smart charger, as it really is a good feature to have (my Wal-Mart unit has this feature, which the BT Jr. does not...). With so many batteries to maintain, the Battery Tender multi-unit may be the best choice, economically, but shop around and see what is the best deal for you and your situation. Cheers!

[trikebldr]

Yeah, Sarge! My motorhome's solar system has the equalization charge function that kicks in once a month when the batteries are in it. I take them out for winter to keep them in a warmer place. Sounds like the one you got from Walmart has this and would be a good one for even my golf-cart batts. It may sound too small for such huge batteries, but for desulfation (equalization) it's not about the amps, but the voltage that the sulfur back into solution.
Good point! Thanks! Headed for Wally World now!

[sir old dirt]

Absolutely, the Battery Tender JR is the way to go. Both of mine have been in use about seven years. Both stay plugged in and hooked to a battery almost all the time. The portable generator has never failed because of the constant monitoring and the cycle is always connected when it is just sitting. Great investment.