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[Lone Rider]

We're going away at end of the year for 7 weeks and temps at home will be hitting 50c.

My plan was to put the bike on trickle charge but I'm not sure if it will be safe or not.

i.e. battery overheating, too long period trickle charging etc. Feedback appreciated.

[hdguy1]

I have a battery tender for both my bikes. My CVO sits from November until March with the tender.  My Softail sits in my garage from August until June each year without a problem. That's what they are designed for. When it reaches the charge point they stop charging. I've never had a battery problem yet.

[dayne66]

Maybe putting a timer(like the ones that we use for a lamp while we're gone) on the trickle charger....an hour a day maybe.

[Lone Rider]

Thanks guys….either way looks good.

I like the idea of a timer…it only need a couple of hours a day.

[Para Bellum]

Trickle chargers, as the name suggests, put out only a small amount of current (for example 1.25 amps), so there won't be a high charge going to the battery.  The overheating problem would only show up with a full-size battery charger (10 amps or so) or an emergency starter (60 amps and up).

If you start with a fully-charged battery and put a trickle charger on it full time, the current draw probably won't reach the 1.25 amps, since it only has to replace the very small leakage current of the bike/battery, plus any amount used to keep the ECM memory active and the small draw of the alarm system.

The upshot is, you can leave the trickle charger on full time without any worries.  Just make sure there's plenty of air flow around the bike/battery and the charger to extend the life of both.  Electronics hate heat.

[hdguy1]

Trickle chargers, as the name suggests, put out only a small amount of current (for example 1.25 amps), so there won't be a high charge going to the battery.  The overheating problem would only show up with a full-size battery charger (10 amps or so) or an emergency starter (60 amps and up).

If you start with a fully-charged battery and put a trickle charger on it full time, the current draw probably won't reach the 1.25 amps, since it only has to replace the very small leakage current of the bike/battery, plus any amount used to keep the ECM memory active and the small draw of the alarm system.

The upshot is, you can leave the trickle charger on full time without any worries.  Just make sure there's plenty of air flow around the bike/battery and the charger to extend the life of both.  Electronics hate heat.

I agree that is the best way to go. No doubt.

[grc]

First we need to determine what exactly are you using, an old fashioned constant current trickle charger, or a modern "smart" charger.  I wouldn't use an old fashioned trickle charger for much of anything.  Go with a modern smart charger that self regulates charging current and you would have no reason to worry.

Jerry

[windjammer]

If you really want to be safe charge then disconnect the battery while you are gone and charge again before using been doing that since computer draw became an issue.

[Lone Rider]

First we need to determine what exactly are you using, an old fashioned constant current trickle charger, or a modern "smart" charger.  I wouldn't use an old fashioned trickle charger for much of anything.  Go with a modern smart charger that self regulates charging current and you would have no reason to worry.

Jerry

Jerry its the original Harley Davidson trickle charger.

I figure its designed to stay on the bike for unlimited periods of time.

[Tibs]

Battery Tender makes the Harley ones and I've had the wall brick ones for years.   Have more batteries than chargers and recently bought the Battery Tender 4 bank from Amazon.   Only negative is shorter cords but can still keep the bikes all connected since I park them angled in the garage.

They have four modes when charging, and its quite safe once charged to leave them on.   

http://www.batterytender.com/Float-Charging/
 

[Tibs]

I just realized the temperature.   Heat is hard on these things really bad.   That link should help you though.

[Para Bellum]

First we need to determine what exactly are you using, an old fashioned constant current trickle charger, or a modern "smart" charger.  I wouldn't use an old fashioned trickle charger for much of anything.  Go with a modern smart charger that self regulates charging current and you would have no reason to worry.
Jerry

This is right on.  I'm guilty of assuming it was a smart charger. 

Would you be able to remove the battery from the bike and trickle-charge it in a controlled lower-temperature environment?  That would eliminate any concerns about the high temperature.