Dead Battery Alert! Time for a Battery Tender Jr??

[StealthSpyder]

Hey guys,

I have a 2012 RSS and when I went to start her up yesterday...wouldn't turn over! I hadn't rode her for a few weeks, and it's been pretty cold here in KC at times recently. Figured it was the battery so I brought my truck over to the garage and turned the truck off. Hooked up jumper cables and let the truck battery charge the spyder battery for a minute while the truck was NOT running, which I remembered reading somewhere is important. Assume you can overblast the smaller spyder battery (which actually is a pretty big battery when it comes to the powersports arena) if you try jumping it with a running vehicle? Anyways, I digress.

I've spent enough time on the forums to have come across the idea of trickle chargers/tenders and their utility when it comes to spyders, especially in the cold and/or when not being ridden often. Going into the winter months, I suspect riding her will be once a month max if not less...only when a warm front rolls thru here in the Midwest.

Just wanted to make sure that this is the best option to go with?

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger


Also, can anyone give me any pointers on how it works, how to use it, anything noteworthy etc?

Thanks! :2thumbs:


SS

 

[Bob Denman]

Any of Battery Tender Juniors by Deltran will fit the bill! :thumbup:
But you might find that it's just time to replace your battery anyway... :shocked:
I gather that it's had four good seasons; that's about an average life for one of them...

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

i got mine from revzilla. very easy to hook up, comes with connector to go on battery for quick connect

 

[SpyderAnn01]

If you have a 2012, and this is the original battery, you likely need a new battery too.

 

[kywinger]

Battery Minder

G'day

I have been using the BatteryMINDer Model 12117 for quite awhile. The unit is a Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator.
Got mine at Northern Tool, they discount the units quite often, that last ones I got were about 25.00 each.
I have six to keep all my batteries charged.

My batteries seem to last much longer using this type of battery maintainer, had to replace a battery for my snow plow after 7 years.

Wire the pig tail to the battery and charge the battery anytime the Spyder will sit awhile unused. :spyder:
Hook the battery maintainer up and leave it on until your ready to ride next spring. :yes:

 

[GOZFST]

One thing to remember is that most of the battery "maintainers" won't charge a dead battery. They need to see some surface charge to work. If your battery is really discharged you will need a real charger first to get it up to a point where the maintainer can keep it up.

 

[StealthSpyder]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

One thing to remember is that most of the battery "maintainers" won't charge a dead battery. They need to see some surface charge to work. If your battery is really discharged you will need a real charger first to get it up to a point where the maintainer can keep it up.

It does appear that the Battery Tender Jr does do it all. I copied this from the description:

• Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Float Mode) allows for optimization of battery power, without overcharging
• Automatic charge cycle functionality switches to float mode after fully charging the battery

 

[ARtraveler]

I am also a user of the Battery Tender Jr. A few weeks without riding probably let your battery run down. The Tender will not charge up the battery. As mentioned above, they will maintain--but not charge.

We have a 2011 that was bought new in 2012. Currently on battery tender for the big winter sleep (until late March or so). They get a full charge ride (100 miles or so) prior to winter shut down. Usually start on the first try in the Spring.

The 2011 will get a new battery in the Spring if not traded off on the new F3 I want--just because. Don't want the battery to die and leave me stranded in the middle of no-where. And...that is usually the way it happens on an "old" battery. No warning--just kaput.

 

[Ron2andia]

I have the Tender Jr!

 

[bmccaffrey]

Have a schumacher . It's a charger and maintainer.

Works good :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I highly recommend getting a new battery of equal or better construction. If you do not you may be left stranded or get a limp situation.

 

[Sam Mac]

Have a schumacher . It's a charger and maintainer.

Works good :thumbup:

I also have a couple Schumacher's that I use on all of my small engine batteries. The Spyder and 7 tractors (number changes often). I get great life out of my batteries. Just sold a 2010 Harley that had the original battery in it. My other hobby is rebuilding Cub Cadet tractors so I have better things to do than buying batteries every couple years. Yeah I know I'm not right but it keeps me off the street and out of the bars. :2thumbs:

 

[happyspyder2039]

Hey guys,

I have a 2012 RSS and when I went to start her up yesterday...wouldn't turn over! I hadn't rode her for a few weeks, and it's been pretty cold here in KC at times recently. Figured it was the battery so I brought my truck over to the garage and turned the truck off. Hooked up jumper cables and let the truck battery charge the spyder battery for a minute while the truck was NOT running, which I remembered reading somewhere is important. Assume you can overblast the smaller spyder battery (which actually is a pretty big battery when it comes to the powersports arena) if you try jumping it with a running vehicle? Anyways, I digress.

I've spent enough time on the forums to have come across the idea of trickle chargers/tenders and their utility when it comes to spyders, especially in the cold and/or when not being ridden often. Going into the winter months, I suspect riding her will be once a month max if not less...only when a warm front rolls thru here in the Midwest.

Just wanted to make sure that this is the best option to go with?

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger


Also, can anyone give me any pointers on how it works, how to use it, anything noteworthy etc?

Thanks! :2thumbs:


SS

I used an extreme battery charger/maintainer- 5 stages

 

[latony007]

I ALWAYS have mine on tenders and it doesnt even get cold here and they dont sit idle for more than a week or two at most. Both my yamaha and my spyder. The cost is nothing, i am using a black and decker i got on amazon since i my tender Jr. took a dump on me.

 

[AY4B]

I just installed one the other day. once I hooked it up, it went into charge and was still on red light when I left it. I had not been having problems starting it but once it was fully charged I noticed the boot up to start was a lot quicker. I also found that the terminal posts were not very tight. Im glad I got it straight before I got stranded.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

LOOSE CONNECTIONS

I just installed one the other day. once I hooked it up, it went into charge and was still on red light when I left it. I had not been having problems starting it but once it was fully charged I noticed the boot up to start was a lot quicker. I also found that the terminal posts were not very tight. Im glad I got it straight before I got stranded.

:yikes:...Get some STAR WASHERS and put them on the battery bolts......they will NEVER loosen by themselves again........Mike :thumbup: