Battery Tender Junior versus Battery Tender Plus

[ryandalling]

So, I have seen Mo using the battery tender plus, and I use it... but I was at a battery store today and they told me the battery tender plus would over cook the battery if you used it to charge it... but not the junior version... which would be fine... for motorcycle batteries...  so... I told the guy he was smoking crack and turned around and walked out... anyway... is he correct?  Is there really a chance that the plus would over cook and bake my battery??

[SaltLick]

I got the Jr. tender man your CRAZY for using the plus version....have you lost your mind?......actually i have no idea what the difference is. Someone want to help out here?

[ryandalling]

.750 amps versus like 1.5 amps... I think... both under 2 which is what I hear they recommend...

[duc_fan]

AFAIK, just keep it under 2 amps for a moto battery.

Is .75A better than 1.5A?  I haven't the foggiest.

I do know one big issue is this: you want an automatic tender, not just a dumb charger.  A dumb charger will continuously apply power, regardless of the state of charge.  THAT will overcook a battery if left unattended, regardless of whether it's 3/4 amp or 2 amps.  To my knowledge, brand-name Battery Tenders monitor the state of charge, and shut off when the battery is fully charged, then go into a "maintenance mode" which monitors the charge level and keeps it topped up (to account for self-discharge, or in the case of motos with lots of electronic garbage, the inherent drain of said electronics).

[marvellous]

I have the Jr and have to use it... from what I understand tho is that as long as it's under 2, one charges up faster than the other... *shrugs*  What do I know, I'm just a dumb unemployed hospitality/college graduate/nuclear waste process operator/artist-type...

[ryandalling]

Both are float chargers and both should work from what I hear then. Woo hoo!

[bnbmike]

I have the plus and wired it to the Monster and Stella.  No uncovering the battery, the plug is strapped to the frame.  I have the original gel battery on the Ducati and original on the scooter too, although, that can be kick started.

I like it cause I can charge my cars I never drive too.

[scott_araujo]

One thing to keep in mind: no matter what brand or model you use they all seem to have a chance of malfunction.  Although with the smart type you are supposed to be able to hook it up and leave it I wouldn't.  I have heard too many horror stories of the charger failing and overcharging/cooking the battery.

Hook it up for a day or two every few weeks and then disconnect it once it says fully charge.  This should keep you just fine for the winter.

Scott

[ryandalling]

I have the plus... and have been using it on all three bikes for the last 18 months... I was just worried that the crack smoking battery salesman actually new what he was talking about and I would have to switch the the junior. I may get a junior also, so I can have multiple things hooked up... seems like all the guy did was make me worry for no reason.

[Bendy]

+1 to what Scott said. Dan is correct on the behavior of BatteryTender brand tenders.

The guy at the battery store needs to eat a bucket of dick.

[Visolara]

i dont get it.

[Tailgunner]

One bucket of Richard coming up