Batterys - Charger vs Tender - Harley Forum

JayDee · #1 12-26-2008, 10:06 AM

I've read that a Batter Tender will charge up a goo battery but not as well as a real battery charger. And that the Tender won't do anything for a dead battery.

Is this true and do I need to buy both or what to keep my Harley battery properly charged?

shovelmike · #2 12-26-2008, 11:52 AM

Good morning, JayDee, I hope you had a great Christmas.
In answer to your inquiry, my 1 amp charger with which I have maintained batteries since '71 has sat unused since I bought my Battery Tender 3-4 years ago. No more do I have to remember the battery charging in the garage, go down to check it's state of charge, etc.
I haven't had occasion to test it on a battery which is completely discharged, but some have been pretty low...too low to crank up the bike, and they charged in a reasonable period of time. The Tender ought to suffice for all your motorcycle needs. Sincerely: Shovelmike.

tommyglide · #3 12-26-2008, 03:27 PM

Hi Jaydee and Mike. Like Mike I haven't used a battery charger now for 3 cold winters. And where I used to take the batteries out for the season I now leave them in the scooter with the Tender plugged in and come spring, no dead or low batteries.

evoKENevo · #4 12-27-2008, 08:00 AM

A battery-tender will bring a good low batt. up to par,and keep it there..no muss..no fuss. But,this past Spring a friend had let his battery set discharged for months. I loaned him my battery-tender that did nothing for it overnight. So,then I hooked his batt. up to my small 2/12 amp charger that automatically goes into a desulfation mode (when it senses it) and charges at a really low rate for 10 hours...attempting to break down the sulfation, little by little.

If that works (which it did in this and other cases) the charger will go into the normal automatic mode. Otherwise it'll just abort the charge and shut itself off...time for new battery.