Battery Tender "Not a Charger"

[alanmcorcoran]

Hey guys, I left my Strat in the On position for over four days and, naturally it won't start. I looked into a Battery Tender Plus, but the lady at Deltran said their products "won't charge dead batteries." Is she just being overly cautious, or has anyone else found this to be the case? Has anyone left the headlight on for a week and then reviived their battery with a Battery Tender?

If Battery Tender is no good, can you recommend another method of recharging the battery?

(I realize I may need to get a new battery, but I want to try recharging this one first.)

[JWR]

You are going to have to get to the battery with any method you choose to make.

I have a Tender and a 2/10 amp charger.

The Tender does a good job, but I do not know if it will bring back a dead battery.

The Tender is a good investment with two bikes.

You can always jump start the bike and ride the charge up.

Good to know how jump start one..You might need it on the road.

Originally Posted by JWR

You can always jump start the bike and ride the charge up.

Good to know how jump start one..You might need it on the road.

You can't jump start a motorcycle with a car battery, though, right? Another motorcycle or a battery charger? You're talking about a push start? Help a noob, please.

Keith

[JWR]

Yes you can use a car......just do not turn on the engine.

I have jumped the GZ about 3 time since I have owned it.

[alanmcorcoran]

I tried twice to jump start the Strat (this is not my GZ.) First time I stupidly had in in neutral instead of second (Doh!)

Second time was a better effort but really no sign of life at all. I was just doing it on a lark, I figured that with electronic ignition and fuel injection, I probably couldn't jump start it anyway.

I only had enough strength for two tries.

In any event, we can close this thread. I'm going to take the battery out of the bike - the dealer will re-charge it for free while I wait (and sell me a tender.) Thanks for the info.

[music man]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I tried twice to jump start the Strat (this is not my GZ.) First time I stupidly had in in neutral instead of second (Doh!)

Second time was a better effort but really no sign of life at all. I was just doing it on a lark, I figured that with electronic ignition and fuel injection, I probably couldn't jump start it anyway.

I only had enough strength for two tries.

In any event, we can close this thread. I'm going to take the battery out of the bike - the dealer will re-charge it for free while I wait (and sell me a tender.) Thanks for the info.

First of all Alan they were talking about JUMP STARTING your bike, not PUSH STARTING IT, Secondly, you actually tried to push start your Strat?

[alanmcorcoran]

Yup. I meat Push. I thought it was bad to jump start it from a car battery... Not true?

(I'm thinking of making a workout video called, "How to get HUGE push starting your Strat")

[JWR]

Just put the battery jumper cables on the bike, from the car, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

They are both 12 volt batteries.

They will equalize some charge to the battery. Leave the cables hooked up.

Then hit the start button.

Take off jumper cables, with fuel injection it should run ok.

Then ride. It shoul be ok after a few miles.
YMMV

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

If Battery Tender is no good, can you recommend another method of recharging the battery?

The regular Tender, not Jr., will charge a dead but otherwise healthy batter but it might take several DAYS to get the job done.

You have lots of options. In your particular area, a Battery Tender is probably not high on the list.

How old do you figure the battery IS? If your guess is 3 years or more (figure it was made in July of the year previous to the model year of the bike) then just get a new one.
****OR****
Nobody who lives where you do really NEEDS a Tender. Just visit any big box retailer, auto parts store, Harbor Freight, JC Whitney or maybe even Walgreens and get a small dual range charger.....2/8, 2/10, 3/12, etc.
Can be had for about $25-30. Good to have on hand for all manner of things, including making sure a new battery is fully charged BEFORE you put it into service.
****OR****
Remove the battery and let a "real" battery shop charge and test it.

Jump from a car, truck or any other 12V source is OK ......if you REALLY NEED to.
I don't favor that in your circumstance because the actual condition of the battery is unknown. Sitting fully discharged for 4 days, a plate might have shorted out, or with sulphation might be just about to.

Good luck.
It's a bitch to suddenly be bike-less.

OK, and the obligatory: How can you be so stupid as to leave the ingition on for FOUR DAYS ??? :poke2: :biggrin:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

In any event, we can close this thread. I'm going to take the battery out of the bike - the dealer will re-charge it for free while I wait (and sell me a tender.) Thanks for the info.

Oh, Jeeezzzzeee

There's that brilliant dealer again. You should NOT fast charge a battery like that. They will cut whatever useful life it has left about in HALF if they charge it in less than an hour.

:skull: