Good battery charger?

[chief]

Yeah that's about the way it is here too... though we do get a bit colder than that on occasion. I usually can ride at least a bit all year. Actually, the heat and the rain are the worst problems.

Anyway, I do put the tenders on when I think there is going to be a lot of time between rides.

[lefecious]

I have 2 battery tender juniors.  I bought the juniors because they were cheaper.  I use them year round and haven't ever had a problem starting my bikes.  Winters here don't get that cold though, maybe 30 degrees on the coldest day.

[chief]

<LOL>... not me. I don't have to look for discord... it finds me quite easily on its own!

[TC]

 Reading between the lines is an old habit I have.
I just have to check to see if there really is something there.
Sometimes there is and it gets real interesting

[chief]

TC... stop reading between the lines... <LOL>... there's nothing there!

My advice to buy a good one was not a response to your post...

To OP... waterproof is always good IMHO.

[chief]

I lied, I have a shumacker charger in the garage - I've used if for years on the cars and trucks and have used it a time or two on a bike, but it isn't a tender. This is a big one and can be used to start vehicles with dead batteries... not exactly what we are talking about, but it has been a good machine (at least 8-10 years old).

I have looked at them online and see there is a wide range available. Pricing seems to be about the same as the Battery Tender models... walmart sells them too, apparently.

My buddy has a marine version on his boat. He's the one who told me I had one in the garage!

The Battery Tender Jr. is really small and compact and can be carried on the bike if you are going someplace where you think you will need one. Mine is a harley branded model... I have the BT Plus model too, which I really like.

Don't think you can go wrong with either brand. Just ensure you get one with storage monitoring and maintenance  - and works with bikes...

[TC]

Chief, this is my first post on this thread;
Walmart sells a Shumacker charger that does the same thing for less money. I have three ,one for each of my bikes and they work great summer and during the winter layover.

I kinda thought when I said it does the same thing for less money people would realize it is a good charger.
This charger will sense when the battery is fully charged and go into storage mode and keep the battery properly charged over a long period of time just as the Battery Tender will.
Hence the part about doing the same thing for less money.
Many members on the KawaNOW forum use them on their Nomads.

[chief]

TC you tell me... is it a good one?  If you think that brand is good... tell us. Personally, I've never heard of the brand and have no opinion of it.

Personally, I use only the ones which actually monitor the condition of the battery and adjusts itself accordingly. Mine will sense when the battery is fully charged and go into storage mode and keep the battery properly charged over a long period of time. Some simply keep applying charge... not the best way to go.

[tgoelz]

I've been using a Battery Tender since 1994, on 4 different bikes, and I like 'em ... no matter what brand you purchase make sure it is a "tender' and not a "charger" only.  I keep my bikes plugged in year round so it's always ready to ride, no matter what the weather outside the garage.

[TC]

I have two battery tender brand tenders... both work fine. Make sure you get a good one.

Is this an incinuation that the Shumacker brand I have is not " a good one"?

[chief]

I have two battery tender brand tenders... both work fine. Make sure you get a good one.

[TC]

 Sounds like a battery issue to me. Have it load tested at a dealer or auto parts store.
A smart charger is a good idea but I only use mine during the winter when the bike is on life support.
I naver use it in the summer, to lazy I guess. Still my 07 Nomad is going strong.

[scwilli]

I live in north texas, so sometimes the winter can be a month long, bike is stored outside.  Use the bike as a daily driver to work, which is a mile away from where I live.  Been having a few problems with the battery.  I was told it was new when I bought the bike a few weeks ago, but have had to use the charger at work twice so far because if I have to crank it for 10-15 seconds, the battery runs out of juice.

Honestly, it might be the battery itself that is giving me headaches, beacuse even afer 3-4 hours on the big charger at work the headlights will dim when I put on the breaks or turn signals after riding a couple times.  I just remember most people having a charger to plug their bike into at night, figured this was a standard need.

[TC]

I live in the tug hill region of NY State. Long winters and lots of snow. The bike is on the charger from mid Oct. to mid March.
I have the original battery in my 07 Nomad.
Do you leave the battery in your bike year round and if so is the bike in an unheated garage?

[Varooom]

Do you have long winters?  I live in NH and have never needed one for the 4-5 months that the bike sits.  The starting is so robust, with FI and Electronic ignition, it starts right away in the spring, unless the battery actually dies.
VArooom

[TC]

 Walmart sells a Shumacker charger that does the same thing for less money. I have three ,one for each of my bikes and they work great summer and during the winter layover.

[scwilli]

I've been looking at the Battery Tender Waterproof 800 12V Battery Charger.   Anyone have this brand or a good recommendation?