When is it too Cold for a Battery Tender?

After losing a new battery on my 750 due to sitting all last winter, I have finally invested in a battery tender. All of my bikes are in the basement for the winter, but I don't want to run the battery tender in the house due to potential ventilation problems. I'd like to have it in the garage, but this time of year, it can get extremely cold out there. Is it acceptable to run a battery tender in let's say 10-30 degree weather? Can it do the battery more harm than good at those temperatures?

 

it's never too cold. I have been running mine (3 of them) 24x7 (when not riding) for 6 years down to -20F. They wear out every 5-7 years, but for $32, all good

 

The only problems I could see with the battery tenders (the cheaper ones) is that they do not compensate for temperature.
The more expensive charger units (the higher dollar Yuasa models) compensate for temperature.

 

It is too cold when the battery has cracked in half and is in two pieces.
That means you must be in North Dakota.

 

I have never needed a battery tender...yet. But I think that I am probably in need if a new battery. I am on borrowed time I think. Mine is the original from August 06 and has over 70K miles on it. But I run the bike often enough that the battery has never gone flat. Well, it did once cause I lift the ignition on. A push start was simply accomplished. One thisg to remember though, it that a battery will not freeze if it has a charge. All those (mostly in cages) from the prairies who claim they froze their batteries, ran the things dead trying to start a frozen car, then left the batery without throwing a charge on it. Once a battery freezes...then it is fukt

 

I would say -273K (-459F). At that temp your battery and the wiring all go superconductive, so you'd be ok and not need a battery tender.

 

Have you tried checking with the Battery Tender people?

Oddly enough I have 3 chargers, a cheapo harbor freight one, a battery tender, and a Griot's garage one. The Griot's one has a cold weather setting.

 

Never used a battery tender but I know that at absolute zero resistance is futile.

 

Hey guys, I have a quick question that relates to the battery. Currently, I have my bike in storage and I have been starting the bike up once a week to let the battery charge up a bit, is this to often to start it up? Or, could I start the bike up every two weeks or longer to let the battery charge? What's the best method when you don't have an outlet to use with a battery tender? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

You could use a process of elimination by starting the bike every day, then once a week, then once every two weeks until you know how long your battery will hold a charge. You could also get asphixiated from exhaust gasses principally CO. Honda makes some nifty four stroke generators that could run a battery tender and a bigass fan probably at the same time.

My hope is that someone here will suggest you take the battery out of the bike, buy yourself a battery tender and take the damn thing in the house. I know some guys who do this and use the battery as a paperweight for holding down bike and titty mags.

 

So here I am Josh, acceding to Bad Billy's wishes and suggesting you take the battery out of the bike and use it as a paperweight for stroke books (titty mags)

 

Lol.. Thanks guys. Guess I'm kind of a Newbie when it comes to motorcyles. I will see if I can get the Battery out of the bike tomorrow, kind of concerned though; as I have never had to do this task myself. I agree its pretty sad.. Anything I should know on how to get this Beast of Battery out? As well, is it a good idea to charge the Battery inside the house, in my case my apartment? For all of you that I am driving completly insane I apologize, but we all have to start somewhere.

 

pull the battery, bring it somewhere you can plug in a charger and then just reinstall the battery in the spring

starting it and turning it off every couple of weeks, without actually running it long enough to get to full temp for about 20-30 minutes does more harm to your engine than good for your battery. Minor worrry to be sure, but still valid. Throw some Sta-Bil in the gas tank, run the engine to spread the Sta-Bil, turn bike off, pull the battery. Best overall solution from what you described.

 

Josh,

See if you can find a freebies download of the service manual for your bike. Most batteries are sealed units and the mini-chargers and "tenders" are low and slow.

Removing and re-installing the battery is a max five minute job. Pop the seat off, disconnect the terminals according in the sequence from your manual, release the securing strap or mechnism and viola a great paperweight for even a fairly large collection of titty mags.

 

Now that there is funny! Good one, Donald!

 

Lol. You guys are awesome! Gonna go take the Battery out right now.

 

Finally got the Battery out. It took me two hours: to uncover the bike, take the back cowl off, take seat off, finally get the battery out, clean under the seat a bit, put the seat back on and condition the seat, fight with the back cowl and tuck er' back in.
Just wanted to make sure that you guys are recommending charging a sealed motorcyle Battery indoors? Is this dangerous? As previously explained this is my only choice. And does anyone else have issues taking their back cowl off? Thanks again all..

 

I totally agree, no more worrying is needed.. Lol. I really wanna say I was drinkin' some Beers while I was working on the Bike, but then I'd be lying. Lol.. Maybe reverse Psychology is needed here to speed my work ethic up. So maybe If I do have some beers next time while I'm working on the bike, I'll quite possibly be done in less then half the time. Putting that to the test is definitely foreseeable.