Ok I’m both working on my bike and my Fairlane and thinking about getting battery tenders for the both of them. I’ve never really talked with anyone else about them and if they’re worth bothering with. I don’t know what brand or model is good, I can’t imagine the bike won’t need much to keep the battery charged and the Fairlane will have a group 24, both will do their share of sitting. So what should I buy and why?
I have multiple “Battery Tenders”, but not all of them are BT brand. My favorite brand is NOCO, https://no.co/multi-purpose I also like Yuasa brand chargers. https://www.yuasabatteries.com/accessories/chargers-accessories/ I probably have 5 or 6 of these chargers in use all the time, not just my Comet but everything that has a battery in it is plugged in.
c-tek [made in sweden] I use a 0.8a motorcycle tender to both charge and maintain my Ferrari [the Ferrari tender costs $1500 and made by c-tek][c-tek costs $50] https://www.ctek.com/us/battery-cha...vJnwEZ0f35uB6Yi-QK0L_562BYilqLWikUBILcRkieD5w I purchased a Ferrari plug and extension cable [I mix n matched the fittings supplied] The c-tek comes with other fittings that plug in This is a solar tender that has c-tek plugs on it [I hardwired my trailer to the c-tek plug]
There's one on the market that cycles the battery. I think it's called Battery Minder. I saw it at an NSRA event many years ago. A standard tender keeps the voltage up but the battery will lose it's amperage over time.
That's what the c-tek does [float cycle to maintain] 0.8a is big enough for maintaining charge but it takes longer for recharging flat batteries
I use these. I’ve got 2 on small generators (lawnmower size batteries), one each on the PC25 in my bird and roadster, and 2 on plain old lead acid’s in a Yukon and a Lincoln. Never had a problem or a failure. They will not recharge a dead battery. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2NJYB4MZZBIWS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Owm-_emq_JEq9CV4wKADlHxv6wAZO1669xKPr5Mh7pVHvawYIPpzUMZB1foaXBTHVRavw7pdQ4xhGGY82qyOzHo3awq-46zbC34x5SAuTrAIswTJs4BtJh1L_ZTGK2ZzHFpCOcPciXueL3yQe2rEqyiTcR1IAY90CBURExDQYjJIalsRL2ChOPzzFJezpENP-BPdEcvgiJD1Zb0NT2pjretv2-D3uJfOBRJzEqaNpju3Tcqy6FrIyIV7J95dVUwcmUgmnvMuxboGwq3nwxgRpmUf4nhsYnPCr4Hev3Br-Ug.156ZUFqOsvC_0QYjzZu2r4QOuTBA0BpKBAtiQnpkJes&dib_tag=se&keywords=Battery+tender&qid=1745022397&sprefix=battery+temder,aps,159&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Kerrynzl, sorry, I didn’t see your last picture. Of course, I’ve never tried to hook one to a Ferrari. But an old friend with one in WA and another in AZ will be interested. Thanks.
I use a ctek but the MUS 4.3 Polar so far no problems. Also have two Battery Tender Plus that also work even tho they are outdated now.
That last picture is not a c-tek but a deltran solar battery tender [$30] with c-tek plugs on it. Everything is "mix'n'match" The solar battery tender is plugged into my tow-hack 24/7 365 days/year [on my tow-hack the 12v cig lighter was spliced to the brake controller 12v]
Best one I have ever used was a bicycle headlight generator , rubbing on a bike tire . Bike supported in the garage ,wife peddling like an exercise bike .
I'd buy a "smart charger" which will tell you a battery's condition and recondition or recharge if they get discharged. I never had much luck with battery tenders myself. Here's what I bought and I use it on my two riding mowers as well as all my car batteries. You can leave it hooked up just like a battery tender if needed and it will sense when the battery needs some charge. $96.99 on Amazon
my engine builder recommended CTECK MXS 5.0 which are made in Sweden we come to USA for a few months each year so I need the battery ready when we come home the battery is mounted up behind the dash so it is not easy to replace
Another vote for C-Tek here!! Used them professionally for years with various OEMs and test houses and have one at home. Never lets me down and keeps the battery in good health.
My only experience is with a Deltran BT. The battery on my roadking lasted 11yrs. No need to look elsewhere.
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