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  • #1

    Battery Tender Jr.

    I just put a new battery in Betsy about two weeks ago, and I want to get some life out of this one, so I bought a Battery Tender Jr. I hooked it up and left it on 'till I got a solid green light, and then disconnected it. That was about five days ago, and I figured since I'm riding her regularly I probably wouldn't need the battery tender 'till the weather gets cold.

    I didn't stop to think about the way I ride, and the way the battery charges. I make a lot of short trips, and I do a fair amount of puttering around the neighborhood at low rpms. Just for grins I connected the battery tender last night, and to my surprise it took several hours for it to reach a full charge. I guess all those short trips and puttering was pulling the battery down more than I thought. Now I'm thinkin' I'll leave that battery tender on her all the time.
    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I was told that it takes about 20 minutes of riding to recharge the drain of starting the bike. Since I live in the city and most of my rides are quick I put on an xs850 kickstart lever and use that about 90% of the time.
    78 E

    Comment

    • #3
      I have Battery Tender Juniors on three bikes, basically all the time when parked in the garage, all year long. Never a problem.
      80 SG
      81 SH in parts
      99 ST1100
      91 ST1100

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by alaskey2 View Post
        I was told that it takes about 20 minutes of riding to recharge the drain of starting the bike. Since I live in the city and most of my rides are quick I put on an xs850 kickstart lever and use that about 90% of the time.
        I've got an 850 kick starter, but I'm faaaaar to lazy to use it. The cool thing about the BT Jr is that it comes with a ring connector wire that bolts on the battery terminals. All I have to do is remove the side cover and plug it in. It also comes with an alligator clip wire if you want to charge something else.

        In use...



        Not in use...

        I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

        '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by DeanR View Post
          I have Battery Tender Juniors on three bikes, basically all the time when parked in the garage, all year long. Never a problem.
          I'm lovin' this thing. I tried a cheap Sportsman's Guide float charger that my brother gave me, but that put out 1.25 amps and the red light never went out. I could see bubbles coming up inside the battery and I was afraid it was going to boil the acid out, so I gave it back to him. The BT Jr figures out what it's connected to when you first plug it in, and it doesn't cause bubbles to come up in the battery. Plus it's only .75 amps, which seems much more appropriate for a motorcycle battery. I figure if I get two or three years out of a battery instead of my normal one or two years, it will more than pay for itself.
          I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

          '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by alaskey2 View Post
            I was told that it takes about 20 minutes of riding to recharge the drain of starting the bike. Since I live in the city and most of my rides are quick I put on an xs850 kickstart lever and use that about 90% of the time.
            +1, me too.

            Cost:
            High: 20 minutes of riding above 2,000 RPM @ $3 to $4/gallon.
            Median: ~20 cents/KWh for however long the battery charger decides to run.
            Free: Kicker

            You've seen That Guy pushing his bike and trying to get it started with a dead battery.

            Don't be That Guy.

            .
            -- Scott
            _____
            ♬
            2004 ST1300A: No name... yet
            1982 XJ1100J: "Baby" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
            1980 XS1100G: "Columbo" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
            1979 XS1100SF: "Bush" W.I.P.
            1979 XS1100F: parts
            2018 Heritage Softail Classic 117 FLHCS SE: "Nanuk" It's DEAD, it's not just resting. It is an EX cycle.
            ♬

            Comment

            • #7
              If you have a kick starter It doesn't matter,If you dont have enough voltage the TCI unit wont work anyway.Kick all you want you are not saving.
              1980 XS1100 SG
              Inline fuel filters
              New wires in old coils-outer spark plugs
              160 mph speedometer mod
              Kerker Exhaust
              xschop K & N air filter setup
              Dynojet Recalibration kit
              1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
              1997 Jeep Cherokee 4.5"lift installed

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by oldyam80sg View Post
                If you have a kick starter It doesn't matter,If you dont have enough voltage the TCI unit wont work anyway.Kick all you want you are not saving.
                I thought what they were saying was they use the kick starter instead of the electric to keep from draining the battery to begin with. Which actually makes some sense to me.

                I just made a run to three different stores, for a total of four electric starts and a total of about fifteen or twenty minutes run time. I plugged in the BT Jr on my return and the light stayed red for about 5 minutes, and it's now on blinking green which means it's got better than an 80% charge. I'll see how long it takes to go to solid green, just for grins.

                I've got the emergency kick starter on mine, but I'm not going to use it unless I absolutely have too. And if I've got a hill handy, I'll try a roll start before I do that.
                I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                Comment

                • #9
                  From what i have read on here if the battery voltage gets too low-the kick-start wont work.
                  1980 XS1100 SG
                  Inline fuel filters
                  New wires in old coils-outer spark plugs
                  160 mph speedometer mod
                  Kerker Exhaust
                  xschop K & N air filter setup
                  Dynojet Recalibration kit
                  1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
                  1997 Jeep Cherokee 4.5"lift installed

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by oldyam80sg View Post
                    From what i have read on here if the battery voltage gets too low-the kick-start wont work.
                    I totally agree with you on that. But IIRC it's way low voltage - like 12.2v or somewhere around there.
                    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Okay - it's been hooked up for less than forty minutes and the light is solid green, which means it's between 100 and 103% of a full charge, and the charger is in float mode. I'm likin' that thing a LOT.
                      I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                      '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Where did everyone get the Battery Tender Jr?

                        Bill
                        1980 XS1100 SG
                        Jardine Spaghetti with Harley Mufflers

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          I got mine at Walmart. Which was a mistake. They advertise them online for $25, but when I got up to the store it was marked $35. Since I was standing right in front of it, I went ahead and bit the bullet. I could have ordered it from Amazon, with an additional 12.5' extension cord that goes between the charger and the ring connector wire, and a spare fuse for the inline fuses for the same money. Free shipping on Amazon for orders over $35 - $25 for the BT Jr, $9 and change for the extension cord, and a few bucks for the fuses. Or however you want to get it over $35. I like it when I don't have to pay sales tax or shipping.

                          Or they make a 25' extension cord for around $15, which would give you a total of 37' between the charger and the battery to work with.
                          I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                          '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            12.what volts and the TCI won't work? You bumped your head, Scooter, have you ever kick started an XS11? One kick and it starts, if it takes any more there is something wrong with the bike.

                            Like the infamous witch, the battery has to be 'really, truly dead' for the kicker or a push start not to work, like down below 10V type dead even with the lighting fuses unplugged, which is getting into 'Walking Dead' territory because any lower and you will be walking.

                            .
                            -- Scott
                            _____
                            ♬
                            2004 ST1300A: No name... yet
                            1982 XJ1100J: "Baby" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
                            1980 XS1100G: "Columbo" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
                            1979 XS1100SF: "Bush" W.I.P.
                            1979 XS1100F: parts
                            2018 Heritage Softail Classic 117 FLHCS SE: "Nanuk" It's DEAD, it's not just resting. It is an EX cycle.
                            ♬

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by DeanR View Post
                              I have Battery Tender Juniors on three bikes, basically all the time when parked in the garage, all year long. Never a problem.
                              DITTO! I have FIVE plugged in right now (CT70 [6volt], XJ550 Maxim, Z-28, Trans Am, XS11). All plugged in whenever they are not being driven. The analog clocks in my old cars will KILL the battery in about a week so I just keep 'em plugged in 24/7.

                              Kurt
                              Kurt Boehringer
                              Peachtree City, Georgia

                              1970 - CT70K0 - Mini-Trail
                              1978 - SR500 - Thumper
                              1979 - CT70H - Mini-Trail
                              1979 - XS1100SF - Pensacola
                              1980 - XS850SG - Rocky
                              1980 - XS1100SG - The Ugly Duck
                              1980 - XS1100SG - Mayberry Duck
                              1981 - XS1100SH - DEAD Duck Cafe'
                              1981 - XJ550 Maxim - Nancy's Mini-Max
                              1982 - XJ650 SECA - Hurricane
                              1986 - FJ1200 - Georgia Big Red
                              1992 - FZR1000 - Genesis
                              2016 - FJR1300A - Montgomery

                              Comment

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