Simple noob battery question

[howitz]

Hey guys, I'm sure this is a silly question, but I just bought a bike with a gel battery, and Im wondering if it's bad to leave it on a trickle charger over the winter. Thanks

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

A straight trickle charger will kill it or any battery. If your charger is similar to a Battery Tender Jr. Or Battery Tender Plus, which is a smart charger, then it is safe.

The trickle chargers continue to try to charge the battery, even after it is fully charged. I ruined a few batteries in my life with an inexpensive 1/2 amp charger.

My NH750 Battery is a gel, it is 5 years old, and spends every moment in the garage connected to it.

Get a GOOD, low current smart charger, while I recommend the Deltran Battery Tender Jr or Plus, their equivalents will work.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

The thing you are looking for is "battery maintainer," not trickle charger. Be sure that is if for the type of battery you are charging. AGM non-spillable batteries are what are usually used on motorcycles. They are NOT the same as gel batteries.

 

[howitz]

Ah, I apologize, I have one of those battery tender jr's. I didn't know there was a difference between battery tender and trickle charger. Thank you!

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Very common mistake to refer to a battery maintainer as a "trickle charger." Those of us who have been around the block a few times will always try to set people straight on that one, because a trickle charger will just keep charging until the battery dries out and is ruined. A battery maintainer like Battery Tender will detect when a battery reaches full charge, and it reduces the voltage to "float charge." That is a voltage that neither charges nor discharges the battery. They can sit for extremely long periods of time on float charge.

 

[howitz]

Wonderful! Thank you for the info.