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How many of you use a battery tender?

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7.6K views 86 replies 60 participants last post by  jmarshall1956  
#1 ·
I've used them on my previous bikes, and they made the batteries last a long time. However, I don't know how difficult it is to get to the battery on the Wing. I don't even know where it's located.
 
#2 ·
Battery located on left hand side of the bike. Open left saddlebag, removed the cover located just forward of the saddlebage and you will see the battery. (Refer to page 152 in the owner's manual.)

I have an Optimate 3 charger/maintainer hooked up when bike is being stored for the winter.
 
#44 ·
Left side. Open the left saddlebag and remove the side cover. I installed the BT quick connect. Just don’t route the wiring down the battery hold down as I believe it will rub against the side cover.


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I am likely the least mechanical member here and am a brand new wing owner. When you say don’t route the wiring down the battery, where do you route it. If anyone could mess this up it is me. Thank you.
 
#4 ·
Battery is on left side in front of the saddlebag. You can access it by opening the saddlebag and pulling out on the panel. There are rubber grommets . No tools needed. Might be good to put some lube on the grommets before re installing as they come out easier. You can hook a battery tender lead up so you don't have to remove the panel to charge in the future.
 
#5 ·
I always used one on my Harleys and I just got the BT dongle put on the Wing yesterday while it was at the dealer to have some accessories installed. Plugged it in last night for the first time and the bike will be plugged in when it's not being ridden. Here is where they put it - easy to access, easy to tuck away for riding. I think it definitely helped with battery life for the Harleys, so I'm continuing the practice with the Wing.

377795
 
#7 ·
I have always used one on the wing. Six years on the 2012 and now 3 years on the 2018. I leave it connected continuously during the winter months. In summer I ride often enough not to need it. I have not had to replace the battery on either wing.
 
#8 ·
I used 2 battery tenders, both lasted about 5-6 years during winter, But with my last Tender, I had my battery on tender ( 3year old battery ) A couple of years ago, I took the tender off in Spring and the battery was not charged, It ran quickly down while starting, So now I just bring my battery in the house at the end of the riding season and charge it and leave it in the basement for the 4-5 months, then put it back into the bike in the spring, Might be a little inconvenient, But a piece of mind, in case the tender goes bad!
 
#11 ·
I have a "12" wing with the original battery. The bike is stored in my shed for the winter. No electric and no charger. Have not had a problem in the spring when it is time to ride. I did the same with my 1500 when I had it.
 
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#14 ·
Grampi?!?!?! Read your MOM and buy Fred's video access. Be careful in removing the left side panel just in front of the hard case. You may benefit from placing a patch of blue painter's tape on the matt black surface just below the front of that side panal because it is easy to scratch that. When putting the panel back on put a little dib of silicone paste, or Valeline, or spit on the three rubber grommets and the install will go much easier and more secure. There may be some free YouTubes showing removal of the side panel. I will provide link to Max's. If you tape the scratch prone areas you WILL NOT get the scratches and I can remove mine without the taping and still avoid scratches as the panels on this bike are quite flexible.


I use Deltran Jr. models on my cycles, I route the fused pigail as shown in a post above. This year Santa gave me a NoCo Genoius 1 and adapter to allow its use with the Deltran pigtail I have in place. This little unit seems to work very well too.

prs
 
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#21 ·
I have a battery tender pig tail on everything. My 2018 "ST" wing has one at the rear hole in the side cover as well as one through the seat (easy use for passenger heated gear and phone charging while riding). My 2010 has one in the left trunk corner pocket (also for passenger heat & charging) and the cord can easily run out of the pocket behind the door on the lower outside corner. My M50 ust sticks out from under the side cover because there is not a good place to tuck it out of sight. My car has one coming out of the grill near the battery and anchored down inside to not rip off or break the grill if I forget to unplug it and drive away. My Tailwind has a connector plug and wire that I use inside to connect the "lighter outlet" directly to the always hot accessory wire in the trailer lights wiring and another adapter at the tongue for my 6 square trailer plug to the SAE 2 wire tender plug. Trailer and car stay plugged into Tender until used. The Tender for the wings switch back and forth according to which one was not last ridden and M50 has a 1.5w solar always plugged in. I tried to use the solar on my car, but with alarm being armed, it only extends battery life of non-use from a month to 2 or three months. I use one of the solar ones on the trailer when on the road and trailer sits for a while. Also, all of my solar chargers have been correctly wired to not blow fuses and/or kill the batter because they are all wired backwards with the battery + having the exposed side of the plug.
 
#24 ·
Step 1 - do it.
Step 2 - make darn sure you turn the knob to the left to turn off the bike.
Step3 - next turn that same round knob to the left and hold it until you hear three beep sounds.
Yes, I just replaced a battery not doing step 3 it appears.
 
#26 ·
I’ve used battery tenders on and off for many years. Living in the southeast I never actually put my bike in storage and literally ride year around. But when we have cold snaps it only takes a second to plug it in, I actually have an outlet mounted on the bike so it very easy. Cold is hard on batteries, so I’ll plug it in just to keep the battery at its peak. I question if it actually makes any real difference, but I do it anyhow - maybe it’s one of those “feel good” things!
 
#55 ·
Counter-intuitive, but heat is harder on batteries than cold.
Engines are harder to turn over when really really cold -- so that often helps identify weak batteries.
A healthy and charged battery wont' freeze and will be fine in the cold.

Storage info from the Yuasa (manufacturer of the OEM battery) for the battery type in the 1800:

AGM Batteries
  • Check voltage every 3 months (or more frequently if stored at higher temperatures as high temperatures cause higher self-discharge rates)
  • Periodically:
    • Keep top of battery clean
    • Check cables, clamps, and case for obvious damage or loose connections
    • Clean terminals and connectors as necessary
  • Recharge battery if voltage is below 12.4V.
  • Once activated, the battery is permanently sealed and must never be opened. There is no need to add water to AGM batteries. Adding water to AGM batteries will result in irreparable damage to the battery or the vehicle.
 
#27 ·
I use an Optimate 3 that I hook up every time I get off the bike and park it in the garage. I use a Battery Tender brand on my Cub Cadet lawn tractor. My poor F-150 is parked out in the elements so it does not get the battery tender treatment though I'm looking into my options (maybe one of those shelters). I get to ride year round with a few exceptions when really bad cold fronts come through. For those, I have bought heated gear just in case I have to get out on the bike (for my mental health).
 
#32 ·
I have four tenders on the four bikes we have... I can go months between riding sometimes, the CBR may sit for over 6 months without being started... but I only plug them in when I anticipate a prolonged period of not riding them.

I use to have a Ford Excursion I rarely used... kept it on a tender as well. But, if you ride at least once a month, you shouldn't need to place it on a tender. Those who ride weekly or essentially daily certainly don't need to. I am surprised how many folks say they ride almost daily and still put it on a tender at night... that seems rather pointless.
 
#39 ·
Something else to consider: This Battery tender harness can double as a method to jump start the bike in the event of a weak battery. Though it can't handle BIG amperage for actual jump starting, it can handle enough to charge the battery on a lower amp setting in the event of an emergency. I recently used my 10 amp charger to do just this. Another note for jump starting: it's nearly impossible to get a "clamp" on the right side battery terminal. There's just no room. Be warned that this WILL be a problem if ever attempting to jump the battery on the 18+ wings.
 
#41 · (Edited)
Don't know if every battery tender harness has the same fuse or the same gauge wire, but mine handled 10 amps just fine.

Something else I thought of: they make a voltage meter or a USB outlet, or even a 12v power outlet... that will plug into this harness. Nice little items for keeping an eye on the battery's voltage or having a power outlet or second USB outlet.