Battery minder. Worth getting?

[rosie631]

Just wondering how people find these? I make sure I ride my bike regularly so the battery doesn't go flat from sitting. But lately I've heard of 3 bikes that have had the battery give out while riding and then needed trailering home. I haven't got a battery minder because I heard that they're not actually that good for your battery. Does anyone know if this is true?

[Molly]

If you're getting one, I think it's worth getting a good one. I have three Optimate 3 battery tenders. I've used them for years. It's good to always have a full charge in the battery and if it prolongs the life of, for example, the bloody expensive gel battery in my Guzzi it's got to be worth it.

Aside from when I first bought the Guzzi with a duff battery I've never had to buy any other one.

P.S. Just had a look and notice they're up to the Optimate 4. http://www.optimate-chargers.co.uk/?gclid=CNOq7KeX-JwCFRBbagodRkHZaQ They do more than just charge the battery by the way.

[naphazoline]

Can't comment on whether that is true or not,but i can say i have an oxford battery minder/trickle charger,and have used it several times over the last year with nothing but good feedback to report.:)

Well worth it in my books,and you can't overcharge with it,as it gets to a full charge status,then switches into maintain mode for as long as you like.Supposedly indefinitely.(Can't comment on that,as i use my bike heaps.)

[FJRider]

Just wondering how people find these? I make sure I ride my bike regularly so the battery doesn't go flat from sitting. But lately I've heard of 3 bikes that have had the battery give out while riding and then needed trailering home. I haven't got a battery minder because I heard that they're not actually that good for your battery. Does anyone know if this is true?

Most battery's are guarenteed for 12 months ... after that it is in the lap of the gods. Good quality batterys are worth the money. Buy cheap and they will bite you in the wallet.
Regular use helps, but nothing man made lasts forever ... sadly.

A battery charger on trickle charge does the same thing. A few bucks at a second hand shop if you can find one for sale. New ... Wharehouse ???

[Mort]

They're worth getting if your bike is laid up for winter or something. But if the battery fails whilst riding it you have a problem with the battery or the charging system.

I rigged up my own battery minder with a normal battery charger and a plug in household timer switch set to come on for 15 mins twice a day - it worked a treat through several long cold winters in the UK - the bike had an alarm fitted which would otherwise drain the battery in a couple of weeks.

[rosie631]

I never had any problems with my older bikes or this one - touch wood. The bikes I have heard that this happened to were newish ones. Mine has a factory alarm. i don't use it but I guess it's still draining the battery. Also have jump started my older bikes. Does anyone know if you can jumpstart the new harleys i.e. twin cam, fuel injected.

[Molly]

Does anyone know if you can jumpstart the new harleys i.e. twin cam, fuel injected.

Don't think they recommend it but I'm sure people do. That wasn't much help was it....

Did you get the owner's manual with your bike by the way?

[rosie631]

No, no owners manual or service record. Just a totally bald rear tyre and a fractured riser.

[mowgli]

I have one and it works well. I used a Merit plug for a tidy finish. Available from Jaycar (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=PS2092&keywords=cigarette&form=KEYWORD)

[Molly]

Should be able to find the manual in PDF form. Look at http://www.harleytechtalk.org/htt/index.php and the section 'Files that have been found' which contains lots of links to service information etc. that you can download.

The riser's an easy fix but it's lucky you noticed! Have you fixed it yet? What sort of risers are they?

[rosie631]

Yeah, had to fix it b4 I could ride it. Bars were on such an angle I was getting seasick. It had 41/2 inch pullbacks. Now has 51/2 inch chubby pullbacks. Also changed bars. Was wide westerns, now drag bars.

[Molly]

Had wide westerns on both of my Road Kings. Reall like them. Bought a set of HD bars with risers on TradeMe a few days ago but they're not really what I'm after. In the end I went into Street & Sport and they ordered me copies of the Triumph America bars from a company in Nelson.

I'd better get some bits listed online so the wife doesn't moan about the extra expense... Shifting garages shortly so I'm sure that'll unearth some bits. Haven't forgotten about your brake cover thingy by the way. Got to be there somewhere.

[FJRider]

I never had any problems with my older bikes or this one - touch wood. The bikes I have heard that this happened to were newish ones. Mine has a factory alarm. i don't use it but I guess it's still draining the battery. Also have jump started my older bikes. Does anyone know if you can jumpstart the new harleys i.e. twin cam, fuel injected.

I can't imagine why not, unless it has a computerised ignition system. And would have stickers saying ... do not jump-start.

An auto electrician would be able to test for current drain and battery condition in a matter of minutes. Usually little or no charge.

[CookMySock]

But lately I've heard of 3 bikes that have had the battery give out while riding and then needed trailering home. I haven't got a battery minder because I heard that they're not actually that good for your battery. Does anyone know if this is true?An automatic battery charger is a very good thing for your battery. Keeps it topped right up - batteries can be damaged by being left part-charged. Don't use an older non-automatic charger.

I cannot imagine why you cannot bump/push start a modern fuel injected bike of any type. The big vee twins are a little reluctant - they can drag the back wheel if you dont slam your arse down hard on the seat the same instant you dump the clutch. Even my little 650 usually takes a few tries to get it going.

A flat battery should not force you to trailer a bike home.


Steve

[NighthawkNZ]

They are worth getting for a big v-twin...as it does take bit to turn them over... You probably don't need one for the smaller v-twin (250-650) but would hurt... also if you don't ride the bike regularly you batter will slowly lose its charge... which the trickle battery tender will recharge for you ;)



I plug the duke in most of the time and wish I hade one for the VTR

[usa-vtwin]

Just wondering how people find these? I make sure I ride my bike regularly so the battery doesn't go flat from sitting. But lately I've heard of 3 bikes that have had the battery give out while riding and then needed trailering home. I haven't got a battery minder because I heard that they're not actually that good for your battery. Does anyone know if this is true?

I got one on my bike as the alarm drained the battery over winter when I missed a few rides. I plug my bike in after every ride and that way its gonna start for the next one lol. I'll show you 2morrow...youd be hard pressed to spot it.

[usa-vtwin]

My battery died prior to installing a battery minder and even trying to jumper cable it from my car didnt crank my bike over.

[breakaway]

How is using a jumper cable any different to using the actual battery that the bike normally runs on?

You're effectively running it off the healthy battery in the donor vehicle. I don't understand how this could possibly damage the bike or cause it to not start, unless you do something ridiculously silly like hooking them up + to - or somehow put 24 volts into the system. In both cases you deserve what you get :p

[Owl]

P.S. Just had a look and notice they're up to the Optimate 4. http://www.optimate-chargers.co.uk/?gclid=CNOq7KeX-JwCFRBbagodRkHZaQ They do more than just charge the battery by the way.

I tried to buy the Optimate 4 a few weeks ago. I don't think Northern Accessories have them anymore although they're still listed. Even Cycletreads couldn't get them.:weep:

I ended up with one of these from Jaycar and it's great.

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MB3604&CATID=18&form=CAT&SUBCATID=295


Also have jump started my older bikes. Does anyone know if you can jumpstart the new harleys i.e. twin cam, fuel injected.

Should be ok, however make sure the doner vehicle is not running. Could be fine, but I've recently heard horror stories about fried rectifiers on Triumph D675's due to this issue.

[rosie631]

A flat battery should not force you to trailer a bike home.


Steve

No, I wouldn't have thought so either. Have bump started the old girl quite a few times when the starter used to have a resident gremlin. Sounds like these were riding along and then everything just died. That also sounds strange cos your battery should be charging as you're riding I thought?? Must be more to it, will have to get some more details of the breakdowns.

[CookMySock]

Sounds like these were riding along and then everything just died. That also sounds strange cos your battery should be charging as you're riding I thought?? Must be more to it[...]Yes indeed there is something else afoot there. Either the stator has failed and they have ridden for sometime until the battery has completely drained, or else something more sinister.

An easy check is to see if dash or headlights work normally (after the engine has quit). If they are really dim, then the stator has likely had a catastrophic failure some hours ago. The only way I have seen stators fail, is they develop a short to ground - then they still work of sorts, but with a low output.

Even with a duff battery the bike should push start and ride indefinitely. The battery will run quite warm, the stator about normal, and the regulator should run cool.

A cold regulator/rectifier should be a useful way of checking battery condition actually. Anyone tried this?

Steve

[slowpoke]

I cannot imagine why you cannot bump/push start a modern fuel injected bike of any type. The big vee twins are a little reluctant - they can drag the back wheel if you dont slam your arse down hard on the seat the same instant you dump the clutch. Even my little 650 usually takes a few tries to get it going.

A flat battery should not force you to trailer a bike home.


Steve

Speaking from experience with my starter-less fuel injected race bike a knackered battery means a definite "failure to proceed" (in the words of Rolls Royce). The start/run relay doesn't pull in and that's a show stopper: no fuel pump, no iginition etc

[firefighter]

How is using a jumper cable any different to using the actual battery that the bike normally runs on?

You're effectively running it off the healthy battery in the donor vehicle. I don't understand how this could possibly damage the bike or cause it to not start, unless you do something ridiculously silly like hooking them up + to - or somehow put 24 volts into the system. In both cases you deserve what you get :p

I've done it a few times before whilst waiting for payday with a dead battery.

Just DO NOT start the car. Then you will have problems.

[CookMySock]

Speaking from experience with my starter-less fuel injected race bike a knackered battery means a definite "failure to proceed" (in the words of Rolls Royce). The start/run relay doesn't pull in and that's a show stopper: no fuel pump, no iginition etcYes, but you have no stator. The thread is about a road motorcycle.

Steve

[Coldrider]

Yes, but you have no stator. The thread is about a road motorcycle.

SteveI have run batteries to the ground on a CBR600F2 and a ZX9R. Both bikes would not run, and just as well because the on the CBR was about to explode. It was really hot, emmitting a high pitch squeal, and stunk like 2 day old dog turds.
To recap, both road bikes would not run.

[bsasuper]

So you need this battery minder because

1. you dont ride that often and the battery goes flat

2.no1 is the only reason you'd want one, then--

3. you might as well sell the bike and put the money towards something you might use more often.

[CookMySock]

I have run batteries to the ground on a CBR600F2 and a ZX9R. Both bikes would not run, and just as well because the on the CBR was about to explode. It was really hot, emmitting a high pitch squeal, and stunk like 2 day old dog turds. To recap, both road bikes would not run.Thats not the original fault that was identified. They had a previously working battery that suddenly faulted and let them down. Such a battery WILL be perfectly ok to get them home once the bike is push started.

Leaving a faulty battery in there and continuing to abuse it will get you bitten, as you suggest.

But really I don't think you posting to assist. I think you are deliberately trying to be a cunt actually.

Steve

[popelli]

Just wondering how people find these? I make sure I ride my bike regularly so the battery doesn't go flat from sitting. But lately I've heard of 3 bikes that have had the battery give out while riding and then needed trailering home. I haven't got a battery minder because I heard that they're not actually that good for your battery. Does anyone know if this is true?

total crap who told you that nonsense

I used to go through batteries every 6 -8 months

bought an optimate and a genuine harley gel battery and its lasted over 7 years

we have 6 bikes in the garage all hooked up to battery minders and it makes life so much easier


they pay for themsleves in less than a year with what you save in replacement batteries, not to mention the avoidance of grief with flat batteries

[rosie631]

So you need this battery minder because

1. you dont ride that often and the battery goes flat

2.no1 is the only reason you'd want one, then--

3. you might as well sell the bike and put the money towards something you might use more often.

Read the post. That's not why I need the battery minder. My bike does not sit for more than a week at a time and it averages 1000ks a month all year round, so no, I don't think I will be selling it anytime soon but thanks for your input.

[rosie631]

total crap who told you that nonsense

I used to go through batteries every 6 -8 months

bought an optimate and a genuine harley gel battery and its lasted over 7 years

we have 6 bikes in the garage all hooked up to battery minders and it makes life so much easier


they pay for themsleves in less than a year with what you save in replacement batteries, not to mention the avoidance of grief with flat batteries

OK, sounds like the battery minder is the way to go then.

[Flip]

My scoot flattens the battery in 3 weeks if I set the alarm.

[Big Dave]

So you need this battery minder because

1. you dont ride that often and the battery goes flat

2.no1 is the only reason you'd want one, then--

3. you might as well sell the bike and put the money towards something you might use more often.


Or you have more than one motorcycle.

[Coldrider]

Thats not the original fault that was identified. They had a previously working battery that suddenly faulted and let them down. Such a battery WILL be perfectly ok to get them home once the bike is push started.

Leaving a faulty battery in there and continuing to abuse it will get you bitten, as you suggest.

But really I don't think you posting to assist. I think you are deliberately trying to be a cunt actually.

Steve
Is your inner child trying to evict you ?
Both batteries failed on rides, everything normal until the batteries decided to fail, presenting themselves as flat as first, both lasted over six years so can't complain there. Pushing them started got me going to idle, but no performance, either CDI 's shuting down or zener / shunts saying enough.
Road bikes with stators as you stated.
Just because my circumstances refute your spoutings makes you abusive, but then you already know that.
Crybaby indeed, show me the best of your wroth.

[slowpoke]

Yes, but you have no stator. The thread is about a road motorcycle.

Steve

Nup, it still run's a charging system, just no start system. Not my choice, just how the previous crew set it up.

With no starter motor there was no indication that the battery was dying (it's left on a battery minder) apart from becoming difficult to bump start (poor TonyOk pushed me half way into Taupo earlier in the year). Then it wouldn't even run cleanly, missing like a bastard during qualifying at Rd 2 of the Winter Series. Finally it died completely on the dummy grid for the next practice. A desperate check of the battery revealed just 10.6 volts. Changed the battery and it was good as gold, starting first bump and running sweet.

[Coldrider]

DB has just gone off line to regroup.

[Coldrider]

How is using a jumper cable any different to using the actual battery that the bike normally runs on?

You're effectively running it off the healthy battery in the donor vehicle. I don't understand how this could possibly damage the bike or cause it to not start, unless you do something ridiculously silly like hooking them up + to - or somehow put 24 volts into the system. In both cases you deserve what you get :p
The problem here is you can induce a voltage spike exceeding the breakdown voltage of the diodes. You need to put the jumper leads on quickly & cleanly, but it shouln't normally happen.

[Coldrider]

No, I wouldn't have thought so either. Have bump started the old girl quite a few times when the starter used to have a resident gremlin. Sounds like these were riding along and then everything just died. That also sounds strange cos your battery should be charging as you're riding I thought?? Must be more to it, will have to get some more details of the breakdowns.The battery can fail in more than just going flat.
The battery can short out, or the plates can crack and give intermittant operation, even appearing fine under no or low loads, and then opening up under big loads, such as starting.

[YellowDog]

Big fan.

Have always used for bikes/cars/boats.

If you do a long journey every day, then not such a big deal.

[Flip]

Oh

Im a big fan too.