Is it OK to put new battery on tender all winter that has never been used?

[Wmoater]

I had the opportunity to purchase 3 Yuassa batteries at a very very good discount. All 3 were the BS version which is “you” fill and seal versions to activate. I purchased one for the spyder, my SXS and snowmobile. The dealer I purchased them from accidentally filled the spyder battery instead of the SXS battery. I was planning on switching out for a new battery next summer on the spyder since my current battery is already 5 years old and will be approaching 6 years old. I “was” planning on filling and charging the spyder battery next summer to activate it. Since it was just activated and I am not using my spyder, due to snow on the ground for the rest of the winter is it OK to through on battery tender JR for the winter “without any use” for the winter or will that hurt life expectancy. I don’t think it will harm it at all but I have never done this before with a new battery. Usually I charge and install, run and use and then tender for the winter. It is not installed in spyder and has never been used but was just charged last weekend. I’ll keep in basement for the winter which is heated not cold.

 

[Wmoater]

The battery tender JR is the 750 version. SKU: 021-0123

 

[Yabbadabbadoo]

Personally I would put it on the tender until it says it's charged, then take it off the tender for the balance of the winter. Put it back on the tender a few days before you expect to use it.
Between 4 snowmobiles and my Spyder it seems like the batteries that had been left on the tenders the most were the ones that failed earlier. I know that's not what's expected but that has been my experience. I'm no longer leaving my batteries on the tenders for longer than necessary.

 

[old Timer]

I strongly recommend the Battery Tender Jr. as you want just a maintenance charge with out any chance of over charging. I have personally owned well over 70 motorcycles since the....er....mid 50's. Many of them for as long as 10 or so years. I have never replaced a battery so far. Even my 2010 Toyota Tundra bought new still has the origination battery. I even use one of my 4 BT Jr's on the Tundra. The BT Jr is a maintainer not a charger, even though it will gently charge a Motorcycle/Spyder battery, it just takes a while.

This is a strong case of bigger is not always better.


Edited to add, I have had batteries for well over a year on the BT Jr with out any degradation. The secret, again is the minimal input of the Jr version........And leaving it on the Battery.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Personally I would put it on the tender until it says it's charged, then take it off the tender for the balance of the winter. Put it back on the tender a few days before you expect to use it.
Between 4 snowmobiles and my Spyder it seems like the batteries that had been left on the tenders the most were the ones that failed earlier. I know that's not what's expected but that has been my experience. I'm no longer leaving my batteries on the tenders for longer than necessary.

:agree: X's 5 ..... if you have a 12v test light, test it for 5 seconds once a month, just to activate it.... otherwise don't use the Tender it's not necessary ..... JMHO .... Mike :thumbup:.........This what I do, however my battery ( and Spyder )_is in my warm basement. I don't leave batteries I don't use outside in the winter .....

 

[guzzihack]

I once wire an outlet from the light on the garage door opener and plugged the battery tender into it. Worked well, charging with battery tender a couple times a day but not overcharging.

 

[JayBros]

My BT Jr is zip tied to the receptacle in the ceiling for the garage door opener and is most convenient. Wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[FrogmanDave]

Personally I would put it on the tender until it says it's charged, then take it off the tender for the balance of the winter. Put it back on the tender a few days before you expect to use it.
Between 4 snowmobiles and my Spyder it seems like the batteries that had been left on the tenders the most were the ones that failed earlier. I know that's not what's expected but that has been my experience. I'm no longer leaving my batteries on the tenders for longer than necessary.

I agree except I plug them in every couple of weeks to a month. I never leave them on 'all the time'. I've destroyed batteries that way. There are many threads here and on every other forum on the planet. You will get both positive and negative comments as to if you should leave them on all the time.

 

[old Timer]

A BT Jr, will not overcharge.

 

[vito1943]

Some here are using the terms "battery tender" and "charger" as if they are the same thing, which they are not. The Battery Tender is made to leave on the battery, even for extended periods like a winter season. It will keep the battery at full charge but will not overcharge. Like some others, I have been using the Battery Tender brand on all of my motorcycles for the last 20 or 25 years and have never had to replace a vehicle battery. The motorcycles would remain untouched all winter and then immediately start up in the Spring without any problems. In fact, even during the riding season I routinely connect to the Battery Tender since I never know how long it will be before I get to ride that particular vehicle again. With a pigtail attached to the battery, I just open the "frunk" and hook it up and forget it.