Trickle Chargers -yes or no?

[grendl]

I have often heard about trickle chargers and how they save your battery over the winter.
I have to admit,I have never used one and have had no issues with my batteries being charged enough to start my bikes.
I live in Colorado, so not much more than a month or so will go by without it being nice enough to ride,my bikes are in a completely enclosed garage that is not heated. When there are continuous days that will be warm start to show up(another couple of months,I will charge them up and ride all season with no problems.
Batteries generally last about 3+ years.
Should I be concerned about leaving a trickle charge on those weeks to a month that I am not riding them?
For those using trickle chargers,how long do your batteries generally last?

[DaWadd]

If it's made for a motorcycle battery you can leave it on as long as you like. My battery gets stored for 5-6 months so I just put it on once a month for a few days to keep it topped up.

[F6B1911]

Living in Michigan, my bike generally is idle for quite a few months during the winter.
Learned over the years that there are different types of trickle chargers.
My trickle charger is plugged into a timer that only runs an hour a day, I've had a BMW battery go for 6 years this way.
I also like to start the bike at least once a month.
This is my first winter with the F6B on trickle charge. .... Damn, I need to move south!!

[sshake1905]

I live near Boise, ID...which... except for Lewiston, ID (at only 750 ft above sea level).. has the most mild winters in the state....and I can count the days since the middle of Nov that the daytime high reached 40 F.....it is cold here

Anyway.....most .75 to 1.25 amp trickle chargers work great for me....I am using one on my 2013 F6B this winter mainly because I didn't want to remove the seat to take the battery out of the bike....we all know how much fun it can be to put a Mustang seat back on the F6B....but I don't leave the electricity on it constantly.....just plugged it in every 3 or 4 weeks and it took less than an hour to fully charge....

I have a 2007 VTX1300c I bought new....since it is very easy to take the battery out of it during the winter months...I do....take indoors in basement to store.....put the trinkle charger on it once a month or so....that battery is the original battery that came with the bike....* years old and going strong.... if you can, IMO....take out over winter months, store indoors, and charge every month..if it is not easy to remove...put the trickle charger on it in the garage....Shaker

[opas ride]

I live near Boise, ID...which... except for Lewiston, ID (at only 750 ft above sea level).. has the most mild winters in the state....and I can count the days since the middle of Nov that the daytime high reached 40 F.....it is cold here

Anyway.....most .75 to 1.25 amp trickle chargers work great for me....I am using one on my 2013 F6B this winter mainly because I didn't want to remove the seat to take the battery out of the bike....we all know how much fun it can be to put a Mustang seat back on the F6B....but I don't leave the electricity on it constantly.....just plugged it in every 3 or 4 weeks and it took less than an hour to fully charge....

I have a 2007 VTX1300c I bought new....since it is very easy to take the battery out of it during the winter months...I do....take indoors in basement to store.....put the trinkle charger on it once a month or so....that battery is the original battery that came with the bike....* years old and going strong.... if you can, IMO....take out over winter months, store indoors, and charge every month..if it is not easy to remove...put the trickle charger on it in the garage....Shaker
Order the newer style longer aftermarket seat bolts from Value Accessories and your install/re-install issues with the Mustang will no longer be a hassle...On the charger deal, I use a Deltran Battery Tender Jr., leave it plugged in all winter in Michigan, ususally 4 months or so and so far no issues..Starts right up in Spring and good to go!!

[opas ride]

I have often heard about trickle chargers and how they save your battery over the winter.
I have to admit,I have never used one and have had no issues with my batteries being charged enough to start my bikes.
I live in Colorado, so not much more than a month or so will go by without it being nice enough to ride,my bikes are in a completely enclosed garage that is not heated. When there are continuous days that will be warm start to show up(another couple of months,I will charge them up and ride all season with no problems.
Batteries generally last about 3+ years.
Should I be concerned about leaving a trickle charge on those weeks to a month that I am not riding them?
For those using trickle chargers,how long do your batteries generally last?

I have been told there is a difference between trickle chargers and battery tenders...I have used the Deltran Battery Tender Jr. on my bikes for years keeping them hooked up during the entire winter which can be 3, 4, and 5 months here in Michigan. Never had any issues with batteries and some had over 6 years service on them when I traded/sold the bike....

[BACA]

I use Battery Tender Juniors on my F6B, my Rincon Quad, my John Deere Lawn Mower and before my F6B my Gold Wing............we have about 5-6 months of rainy wet and cold (not Minnesota cold - but cold) weather so the vehicles are stored most of the winter. I have never had a problem and the battery in my Quad lasted 8 years before it went bad. Yep I'm sold on the Battery Tender. My Two Cents!!


Ride Safe, but Often

[bigbird]

As stated, there are trickle chargers and there are battery maintainers.
You don't want a trickle charger that just keeps pumping out a trickle current of about 0.5A - 0.75A indefinitely.

A battery maintainer will monitor the battery and only provide a top off charge as needed. As soon as the battery is topped up, it will stop charging until the battery's voltage falls below a predetermined threshold, at which point the charger will start up and top off the battery automatically.

There are many makes of maintainers out there. Deltran's Battery Tender Junior for motorcycle batteries is probably the most common due to its price and reliability. I don't like its wall wart AC adapter.
I use a CTEK myself.

[53driver]

I have three. One for each bike and one for the lawn tractor.
Not the "Jr" with the "wall wart" design but the "pappy" model that stands on it's own.
Batteries last 7-9 years.

[richw56]

I'm on Long Island in NY.
The bike can get stuck in my unheated garage for weeks at a time during the winter, if roads are wet and salted.
A couple of years after I got my prior bike (a VTX1300C), I picked up a Battery Tender Plus, which I've used year-round ever since, first on the VTX and now on my F6B.
In the ten years I owned the VTX, I only changed the battery once, and it wasn't even dead yet at the time - it was just starting to get a little weak.
As already mentioned by others, Battery Tenders are not trickle chargers - they charge automatically, and only when needed, so there's no limit on the amount of time for which they can be left connected to the bike battery and plugged in.
(On the other hand, I once used a trickle charger on a V65 Magna, and it did not end well - I am NOT a trickle-charger fan.)
I'm a big fan of Battery Tenders - I've used mine year-round for many years now, and have nothing but good things to say about it.

[sabre85]

I've always used battery tender jr's. Batterys last 6-10 years.

[Steve 0080]

What is a trickle charger ???

[F6B1911]

What is a trickle charger ???

I don't believe they are sold in Florida.

[Limoles]

What is a trickle charger ???

"It's the man , who forgot take Viagra , causing tears trickled down her cheeks".

[Hornblower]

Like many of you, I've had several chargers in the past, including Battery Tender models, but this is the charger I've been using lately and I like it a lot:

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SP-1-12-Volt-Automatic-Extender/dp/B005F1YIVG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421933817&sr=8-2&keywords=schumacher+battery+extender

[Phantom]

Batteries last 7-9 years.

Just like Steve, I have been able to get 7-9 years out of a GOOD battery (YUASA) with a trickle charger.

I have 6 Trickle chargers ... 2 Jr's., 2 Yuasa (Smart shot 900) and my favorites .... 2 C-TEK 7002 with the status plug in pigtails that show if you need to charge your battery. The C-TEK is designed to recondition your battery if necessary, just like the others ... once the battery is charged it converts to a "winter" pulse mode. I have attached 3 videos for those that are interested in the C-TEK (Made in Sweden).


http://www.techbatterysolutions.com/CTEK-Multi-US-7002-Battery-Charger-p/c004.htm?_vsrefdom=googlepla&gclid=CLy0tsnpp8MCFeXm7AodHFgAsw&utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&gdftrk=gdfV23665_a_7c1669_a_7c7827_a_7cC004


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHSI_qHOI4U


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yDaV9M5ShQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VTew5BGOlA

[richw56]

That's the key - regardless of what it's called, if it monitors the battery on-going and only actively charges when needed, it's a lot easier to work with than something that just keeps charging continuously until you unplug it.

[sshake1905]

I think the problem is different names or labels for the same device...:shrug:...The ones I use are made by Schmaucher and are called a "battery charger/maintainer".....

It is 1.5 amp hrs charger that will fully charge a 12 volt battery to 14.4 volts max....then it automatically goes to "float/maintain mode" with a 0.002 amp current.....if and/or when the battery discharges to a point of 13.2 volts....the charge mode kicks in to fully charge to 14.4 volts max..

At least, that is what the tech information says...:shrug:.and it has worked fine for last 8 years or so....

I don't leave this hooked up to the battery constantly, although the tech material says you can, but it is nice to plug it, walk away, and not worry about any overcharging....then unplug a day later..:yes:

just say'en...:icon_lol:...Shaker

[valkmc]

I moved to Florida and now I am not sure where I put that Battery Tender Jr.!!!! I used one in NY and went with the hook it up once a month for a day or two then take it off.

[shooter]

What is a trickle charger ???

What a jerk:joke:

[opas ride]

What a jerk:joke:

Don't worry, Florida is full of bugs,drugs, and humidity and is soon going to fall into the ocean!!!

[SoCal Rich]

What a jerk:joke:

Why would you call him a jerk just because he hasn't heard of a trickle charger?

[SoCal Rich]

Why would you call him a jerk just because he hasn't heard of a trickle charger?

Oops, I get it. I should get out more! :icon_lol:

[Hornblower]

Thanks a lot, Phantom :icon_rolleyes:. After looking into the CTEK chargers you suggested, I wound up ordering the 3300 model. It really does look like a great little charger.

[Phantom]

Thanks a lot, Phantom :icon_rolleyes:. After looking into the CTEK chargers you suggested, I wound up ordering the 3300 model. It really does look like a great little charger.

Ken, I have added the CTEK LED pigtails that have 3 lights, a Red, Yellow and Green.

They will blink to let you know the status of the battery without the charger plugged in, when the battery has a full charge it blinks green, when it is starting to drain, it blinks yellow and when it is low it blinks red.

I just plug the chargers in when the yellow light starts blinking. These pigtails are around $10 and you can hide it yet can easily see the lights when needed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ctek-Eyelet-Adapter-w-State-of-Charge-Indicator-Status-56-382-US-3300-7002-NEW/191427367006?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D27673%26meid%3Df50731c3f457419c9fe04473ed77 8099%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D1914 79449761&rt=nc

The following link has a video half-way down, just click play for a demonstration ...

http://www.etrailer.com/Battery-Chargers/CTEK-Power-Inc/CTEK56382.html

[gray rider]

My 2005 HD Softail Deluxe has the original battery which I plug into a Battery Tender Plus after each ride. I realize that I'm on borrowed time at nine seasons but the HD never strays too far from home base these days so I'm going to see how long it will hold up. All my vehicles are on Battery Tenders except for my KTM 1290SDR what has a lithium battery for weight reduction. Lithium batteries require a different type of charger.

[Dirtstiff's F6B]

Yep
maximizes battery life.
J

[grendl]

Thanx for the advice ! I will investigate and since I have a decent charger,I will invest in a tender or maintenance charger.
I thought I was doing good with my process and batteries lasting about 3 years, but hearing that proper maintenance will bring them to 6+ years is a "d'uh" moment. Appreciate it.
Oh and I've been to Minnesota in December once. Before I moved to Denver and got a taste of being in the mountains at night(not on a bike) I didn't think it could get that cold on earth.:shock:

[Hornblower]

Ken, I have added the CTEK LED pigtails that have 3 lights, a Red, Yellow and Green.


Tony--This, too, seemed like a great idea so I ordered one to go with the 3300 charger. Thanks for the great suggestions. BTW, the battery on one of my cars was possibly in the process of failing so the first use of my new charger was on that. It charged overnight and appears to have come back to life :clap2:.

[mundo]

Yes yes yes

[Fla_rider]

What is a trickle charger ???

+1 If you all would just ride your bike you wouldn't need a trickle charge. Oh I forgot your getting hit by a blizzard and Steve and I are going to the beach!:lolup:

[Injun Joe]

I've used a Battery Tender Jr for years and it definitely seems to eek out a little more battery life. I say little but I bet I get a year of two more out of my batteries than my son and wife who don't use them. One word of warning however by way of a story: One time I tried to go too long with a battery I knew was on it's way out and the Tender was enough to keep me going on all the little day trips in the immediate area. But as soon as I got out for a longer trip without the Tender, guess what happened?

[blackmetoc]

My bike is at my dad's gargemahal waiting for the thaw. He called today to tell me he went out to start it and let it run for a bit and the battery is dead. Bummer! I was going to bring it down here to Norfolk next weekend or so. I have to get it charged first.

[terrydj]

So its like 7.30 am at Macdonalds and the place is chocka with chicks in Bikini's and towels on their shoulders and I'm off for a ride
Thats this morning and it was maybe 25 celcius close to 80 American weather????
Can ride all year where I live in Queensland Australia and have often wondered what a trickle charger does???????
Kinda sounds like when yah in pub full of really bad lookin women
Theirs a bit of charge their but yah better off saving your dollars and going home :icon_cool:

[53driver]

My bike is at my dad's gargemahal waiting for the thaw. He called today to tell me he went out to start it and let it run for a bit and the battery is dead. Bummer! I was going to bring it down here to Norfolk next weekend or so. I have to get it charged first.

"Garage-mahal" doesn't have a battery charger? :poke:

[opas ride]

Some guys just plain have it made!!! Hot chicks, good weather, and a local MacDonalds....My bike has been sitting in the garage with the Battery Tender Jr. attached since late November!!!.....Winter sucks!!!!!

[terrydj]

Some guys just plain have it made!!! Hot chicks, good weather, and a local MacDonalds....My bike has been sitting in the garage with the Battery Tender Jr. attached since late November!!!.....Winter sucks!!!!!

Mate we have winter here in Queensland as well
Gets down to maybe 20 Celsius in the days, around 70 American
And at nights it has got down to 8 Celsius around 50 American
But that dosen't happen often:icon_cool: