Hi all

I'm new to the forum and seeking some guidance for maintaining by Sporter Iron 2013 battery.  I'm sorry, there does seem to be a fair few threads about this but none of them are specifically answering my question!  I accidentally left the head light on a while back and the battery drained - it's never been the same since.  I'm a casual rider so can go for 2-3 weeks without a ride.  Twice now I've had to get roadside assist to start the bike up as just got that horrible 'rat ta ta tat' noise *shiver*.  Being a 2013 it's got the immobliser, alarm etc. on it so I know that adds extra drainage on the battery.  I rang the stealership and got told that the HD battery's only lasts 2 years.  WTF?!  So I need to get a new one fitted and they can put on a pigtal for a battery tender - for a stupid sum of money, $330.  Ouch!  Really don't want to do that.  What I want to do is simply have it hooked up to a battery charger of the constant monitoring type (CTEK seem good and highly recommended thought which model I would have no idea) that allows me to hit the road when I feel like it.  One of my problems is that I have the bike in a carport, covered of course, that has no power.  Solar therefore seems to be the way to go.  I've seen this one from Oxford that looks OK http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/oxford-solariser-battery-charger.  So here's my question(s)....

Has anyone had any experience with this solar charger, or a solar charger, and do they do the job?

This one says it's a trickle charger - does this mean it's going to constantly charge the battery and therefore could that dry it out?

What would you recommend if you were in my position to keep the battery in a healthy state for fortnightly rides with no simple access to power option??

Really appreciate your insights and thoughts into solving this problem.

Thanks so much.

I havent got experience with that particular type but i keep my Ride on mower battery charged via my 12v solar system on my house up the bush.
Its a bigger set up than that obviously but i suppose as long as the charge is regulated i see no issue with using that.

Extension lead to carport then get the C Tek.

Hi mate.

I have heard the solar chargers are pretty good, but they do obviously need to get a fair bit of direct sunlight. No point putting the solar unit in the shade as it wont work.

The big problem here is you said you left your headlight on and completely drained the battery. That can ruin a battery, and no battery charger will fix a rooted battery.

Sounds like you need a new battery to me. Then hook up your solar unit to it, catching maximum sun.

I wouldn't waste my money on that solar charger. It only claims 10-100 mA. That is pretty much usless unless your battery is fully charged before using it.
The dealers multi stage charger is just under 1000 mA. So it will charge a flat battery then change to maintain it.
I use a 900 mA multi stage charger from supercheap, cost around $50 and does the job.

Multi stage battery chargers will allow your battery to last alot longer than 2 yrs.

Bought my bike in '07, & with it sitting in the garage for a month or more at a time, the battery gave up after 12-18 months + I never bothered with any kind of battery tender.
I've used a solar charger/tender on my Deluxe since I replaced the battery in '08 & have only just replaced that battery last month. As long as you have the panel in a clear out side space, or under clear cover if it's not weather proof, facing close to north & @ a slight angle, you should get plenty of charge to keep your battery topped up.
I've wired in a small plug to the battery, that can be accessed easily, then plug in the panel connector @ the end of each ride. - Rob

http://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/shop/product/4679/ac250b.html?gclid=CLWk-_2Oy8ACFUccvAodKy4Ang

I would be a bit careful with solar as you may do some damage to the battery. Agm batterys float at a lower voltage than lead acid and it it vital to get this correct . Unless you have an adjustable regulator you will be shortning your battery's life and as said above you are up for a new battery any way. Get your voltages right and then not a problem.

$330 to fit the plug for the charger? That is daylight robbery. I fitted one to my bike a few months ago when I bought a tender (240v) from Supercheap and it took less than half an hour to wire up. I have been monitoring the battery voltage and after sitting for 3 weeks it reads around 12.5 / 12.6v so I haven't bothered plugging in the tender yet. My battery is at least three years old and if I see the voltage dropping below 12.4v I will hook it up. There were $50 tenders at Supercheap but I bought a $100 one hoping the quality will be there but it is made in China so who knows? A mate has been using a solar trickle charger on his boat for a few years now and he swears by it. I cant remember which brand but.

I had my battery changed about 2 months ago $163. fitted at a dealer, and a Battery Minder is only about $60 to $80.. so $330. tell them their dreaming
A battery in good condition can go a couple months without the charger ( Minder) hooked up.