Does anybody put their bike on trickle charge when not in use?

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  • FXS2011
    FXS2011
    12 years ago

     

    Hey fellow riders.

    Quick question... Does anyone recommend putting their bike on trickle charge when not riding?

    Mates of mine do it, but i've only had my bike 8months and have never had it struggle to start. Is charging recommended or the norm? And will it prolong the overall life of the battery???

    Just curious.

    Thanks, Jason.

  • Bloodnut
    Bloodnut
    12 years ago

    I have got a small $15 solar unit hooked (1.5 amp I think) to my camper battery, rotated onto my wrf 450, when I think of it, have'nt used it on the Harley, as I probably ride it every couple of weeks. I personally have found it $15 well spent, keeps the batteries topped up.

    Cheers Bloodnut

  • FLSTC
    FLSTC
    12 years ago

    if you use the bike very week then dont worry yourself too much

    but it is dead easy to put on

  • Underground
    Underground
    12 years ago
    Never owned a trickle charger...either i ride enough to keep it charged, or ive been lucky. WAIT, Im not lucky...
  • chrise1961
    chrise1961
    12 years ago
    I work fifo and am away for 4 or 5 weeks at a time, I use the trickle charger while I'm at work and don't have any dramas at all. I think mine was about $19.95 @ Jaycar and I had to buy a terminal ($1 ??) to make a loom to go on my battery, from memory it puts out about half an AMP. I would recommend using one if your bike sits idle for longer than a couple of weeks, but if it gets ridden more regularly than that, don't bother.
    Cheers,
  • FLSTC
    FLSTC
    12 years ago

    all newer harleys come with the trickle charger and wired in plug ....... i suppose its recognition that most harleys dont get ridden

  • Bloodnut
    Bloodnut
    12 years ago

    If my solar unit catches fire, it wont harm anything, it is sitting on top of the hotwater system with a dab of silicone, running extended wire to inside of my shed. Thanks for the warning  anyhow , Choppa.

    Cheers Bloodnut

  • 78gold
    78gold
    12 years ago

    I have used for years with no issues.

    Have a Projecta (I think) unit and just recently made up some cables for the Harley. I have a few bikes and dont ride them all regularly so I have them all fitted with permanent connectors and just swap em around to give them all a go. I have also wired a 15 amp fuse into the leads as well just in case although there is a O/Load built into the unit.

    I do have the charger plugged into a timer as well so it only comes on for two hours a day (24:00 to 02:00). I have only had to replace 1 battery in the last 5 - 6 years and that was the one in the Trumpy Chop I fried (My Fault).

    Ride Safe

    Nigel

     

     

  • keith
    keith
    12 years ago
    I do FIFO i put it on the night i get home before starting the bike the next day,can't say if if works or not but never had problems starting.
  • chriso
    chriso
    12 years ago
    Have a look at the Smart charger. Had one on my last dyna for years.

    Hassle free always charged. Simple to hook up.
  • oneball
    oneball
    12 years ago
    Hi all...I got the Junior fighter that come with my bike new.Use it all the time,Reguardless how often i ride the bike.
  • ACR
    ACR
    12 years ago

    Hi I use a trickle charger when not riding much.

  • Retroman
    Retroman
    12 years ago
    My bikes are plugged in all the time when not being ridden.

    "Battery fighter" tender that came on the bike from Frasers Perth.

    All bikes they sell are hard wired for them, have been for 5+ years at least.

    I've had a battery last 7 years with a trickle charger

    Well worth $60 or so !!
  • matho1961
    matho1961
    12 years ago
    Thinking of using a solar charger also and have the wires poking out neatly from under the seat so I can plug and unplug easily. Can someone tell me if there would be a problem if the battery terminals are still conected to the battery while charging?
  • Bloodnut
    Bloodnut
    12 years ago

    I rotate my solar charger between my camper 120 amp battery & bike battery on wrf 450, I leave the bike terminals connected, no problems to report, with starting or electrics. Havn'nt tried it on the Harley

    due to it getting ridden every second weekend & not needing charging.

    Cheers Bloodnut

  • Retroman
    Retroman
    12 years ago
    The actual "Trickle charger" unit is a step-down transformer from 240V to12V

    It doesn't stay on the bike, just the male/female connectors wired up to the battery.

    Makes more sense when you see the kit that comes with the battery tender.

    The whole Frasers chain fit them here in Oz to every new Harley they retail at PDI.
  • Flak88
    Flak88
    12 years ago

    I have used a Projecta on my old Dyna and newer Softie and haven`t had to replace a battery for over 10 years. They come with a hardwiring kit for permanent fitting to battery. Just plug in when I fly to work and bike is good to go 3 weeks later. Cost $50 from REPCO. It`s a smart charger so battery gets `exercised` not just constantly being charged.

  • Rocky2010
    Rocky2010
    12 years ago

    I use the standard Trickle Charger which was fitted by Frasers on my Harley, have done since it was new and I have never had any issues with starting.

  • oneball
    oneball
    12 years ago
    Hi all...My battery died the otherday,Bike is a little over 12months old.The charger that come with the bike didnt save my battery.
  • springer_90
    springer_90
    12 years ago
    I use a ctek charger on my bike if it hasnt been ridden for a couple of weeks, never had a problem.
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