Winter and Batteries - Page 2

Dave · 10-09-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I....... then there's just stupid. .....

I didn't know you knew BD. :)

**Top Cat** · 10-09-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dholmer

Thanks for all the replies to my question. Sorry, I think I have fixed the part that shows I live in Utah when I post, we'll see. Anyway, my problem is even though I have a battery tender, I dont have a way to plug it in this year. The place I live currently does not have any electricity in the garage that I am renting out... That is why I asked if it hurt to just bring them inside for the winter...

In that case you have two options.
1-You can take it out of the bike and bring it indoors to hook up the charger.

2-They (I don't know who they are) make a solar charger that some use when they store boats or other things and have no electricity in the storage area.

That being said, if I were you I would bring it inside and keep a smart charger on it.

**ray2** · 10-09-2011, 09:08 PM

I leave the battery in bike all winter also no electric where I store bike if you have a window where you store bike you could use a solar pannel like I do. It wont really charge a battery but will keep it in good shape http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...Product%20Page

cactusjack · 10-09-2011, 11:50 PM

I ride my bike all winter. Sorry, can't help you.

ponch · 10-10-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I ride my bike all winter. Sorry, can't help you.

exactly

waterman · 10-10-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I ride my bike all winter. Sorry, can't help you.

Winter??

You don't have a winter!!!

For some of us, that equivalent to a cool snap.

cactusjack · 10-10-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

Winter??

You don't have a winter!!!

For some of us, that equivalent to a cool snap.

We do too have a winter. We have on average 3 or 4 nights a year when we have to cover the plants to prevent frost damage.

dank · 10-10-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

We do too have a winter. We have on average 3 or 4 nights a year when we have to cover the plants to prevent frost damage.

Wow! That is the same as Michigan. Three or 4 nights of covering for frost damage..........then the temps dip down below freezing and stay there, so covering the plants makes no difference.

Loafer · 10-10-2011, 10:17 AM

I think we should all move in with Gene.
I leave my battery in and I put a charge on it once a month thru the winter months. Got to get a trickle charger, that would be easier and better.

**Jared** · 10-10-2011, 02:54 PM

I don't know what TC is talking about. The battery isn't hard to take out. I'd pull it out and bring it somewhere where you can put it on a tender. Or get an extension cord and make it work on the bike. Leaving it all winter isn't the best idea imo.

**Top Cat** · 10-10-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

I don't know what TC is talking about. The battery isn't hard to take out. I'd pull it out and bring it somewhere where you can put it on a tender. Or get an extension cord and make it work on the bike. Leaving it all winter isn't the best idea imo.

WHAT

The battery is a pain in the ass to get out on my bike. One of the poorest designs I have seen on a bike.
I have 70,500 miles on my bike. I took the battery out the first year but never did after that.
It has been in for 5 winter layovers with a smart charger on it and no problem here.

**nomadbehappy** · 10-11-2011, 08:49 PM

Gotta agree with TC, the battery is a PITA to take out, the designer should be taken out back and shot! However, that being said, I pull the battery each year and bring it inside to the basement where I leave it hooked up to a Schumaker battery charger (take MACs advice and get the Schumaker). In the spring I put it back in and she fires right up. Reprogram the Powercommander, set the radio stations, quick oil change and I am on the road in an hour.

**cnc** · 10-12-2011, 09:30 AM

If the battery is fully charged when you store the bike, and you can run an extension out to the garage once a month for a day or so of charging, it should be fine. Up hear I have snowmobiles that sit in temps as low as -30f for 2-3 weeks sometimes with out running and always crank over with no charging. In summer the batteries get charged about every 60 days.

macmac · 10-12-2011, 09:42 AM

I think they should crucify the SOB that designed that battery box. The 1500 was nice, the 1600 sucks. Never the less I store my battery in winter in a steady 50/55 degrees, on the shumaker. The bike goes in an enclosed trailer, since the barn is a work shop all year, and rolling the bike out on ice isn't a great option.

I want my battery to last 8+ years. I got better things to do with money than buy batterys. So like now, any time I am not riding that battery is on the shumaker. The volt meter is reading 13.32 dcv, and while i can't see it from here, I 'know' it is.

Since new that battery has lost it's capability to 1/10th volt, which isn't bad for a 06 battery. I bet I will get the next 2 years and then maybe more of it too.

redjay · 10-12-2011, 06:55 PM

I take the battery off the bike when it goes into storage here in Southern Ontario. I have no access to the bike in the winter. I put the battery in the basement and trickle charge it once a month.

10-09-2011, 09:08 PM	#18
ray2 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 939	I leave the battery in bike all winter also no electric where I store bike if you have a window where you store bike you could use a solar pannel like I do. It wont really charge a battery but will keep it in good shape http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...Product%20Page __________________ Ray Minnesota 2010-1700-Nomad VBA#01525
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10-09-2011, 11:50 PM	#19
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I ride my bike all winter. Sorry, can't help you. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-10-2011, 10:17 AM	#24
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	I think we should all move in with Gene. I leave my battery in and I put a charge on it once a month thru the winter months. Got to get a trickle charger, that would be easier and better. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] Last edited by Loafer; 10-10-2011 at 10:30 AM.
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10-10-2011, 02:54 PM	#25
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	I don't know what TC is talking about. The battery isn't hard to take out. I'd pull it out and bring it somewhere where you can put it on a tender. Or get an extension cord and make it work on the bike. Leaving it all winter isn't the best idea imo. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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10-11-2011, 08:49 PM	#27
nomadbehappy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Barrie, ON Posts: 332	Gotta agree with TC, the battery is a PITA to take out, the designer should be taken out back and shot! However, that being said, I pull the battery each year and bring it inside to the basement where I leave it hooked up to a Schumaker battery charger (take MACs advice and get the Schumaker). In the spring I put it back in and she fires right up. Reprogram the Powercommander, set the radio stations, quick oil change and I am on the road in an hour. __________________ Brian Muscat bamuscat@gmail.com Barrie, ON KawaNOW #1404 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Ultra) *Red* and Black because they're the fastest colours! Winter is nature's way of telling us to add more *Chrome!*
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10-12-2011, 09:30 AM	#28
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	If the battery is fully charged when you store the bike, and you can run an extension out to the garage once a month for a day or so of charging, it should be fine. Up hear I have snowmobiles that sit in temps as low as -30f for 2-3 weeks sometimes with out running and always crank over with no charging. In summer the batteries get charged about every 60 days. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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10-12-2011, 09:42 AM	#29
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	I think they should crucify the SOB that designed that battery box. The 1500 was nice, the 1600 sucks. Never the less I store my battery in winter in a steady 50/55 degrees, on the shumaker. The bike goes in an enclosed trailer, since the barn is a work shop all year, and rolling the bike out on ice isn't a great option. I want my battery to last 8+ years. I got better things to do with money than buy batterys. So like now, any time I am not riding that battery is on the shumaker. The volt meter is reading 13.32 dcv, and while i can't see it from here, I 'know' it is. Since new that battery has lost it's capability to 1/10th volt, which isn't bad for a 06 battery. I bet I will get the next 2 years and then maybe more of it too. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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10-12-2011, 06:55 PM	#30
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	Battery I take the battery off the bike when it goes into storage here in Southern Ontario. I have no access to the bike in the winter. I put the battery in the basement and trickle charge it once a month.
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