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[Rimjam]

I'm posting this question in the 2000 SERG section because I'm told that the electronics back then were much more crude that today.  Should I or should I not disconnect my battery when I know the bike will sit for about a month?  Will the ECM or Power Commander lose some memory?   The small spark when I reconnect the battery tells me there is some drain when its hooked up (clock?).  Yes I have a battery tender but had rather not leave it connected all the time.  Opinions pro or con?

[110tHunDer]

 
I don't know why you wouldn't want to leave it on the BT , but if not, leaving it sit for a month shouldn't completely drain the battery.  Just hook it up to the BT again when you get back.

And .... is 12 years ago really considered "back then?" LOL

[grc]

The battery will self discharge over time even if it isn't connected to anything.  Disconnecting it won't screw anything up though.  The ECM and PC use nonvolatile memory for the important stuff, so you don't have to worry about losing your map.  However, disconnecting the battery will clear any stored codes in the ECM, and the memory in the radio if so equipped.  I don't think the ECM's from that era stored any kind of offset or trim data that would be lost, but even if they did the system would regenerate the data.

Why don't you want to use the Battery Tender?  With a smart charger, as opposed to the old fashioned trickle charger, it will self regulate and not overcharge.  With the Battery Tender, no matter how long the bike sits, the battery will be fully charged and ready to go when you are.


Jerry

[Twolanerider]

The battery will last longer if maintained on a battery tender (a true maintenance device, not some trickle charger) than it will if periodically unhooked and reconnected.  For what's it's worth, it's also easier to plug and unplug the tender than to pull the seat and unhook a cable.

[Fired00d]

I don't know why you wouldn't want to leave it on the BT , but if not, leaving it sit for a month shouldn't completely drain the battery.  Just hook it up to the BT again when you get back.

And .... is 12 years ago really considered "back then?" LOL

Confused by that too... I leave mine on the BT whenever it's parked and have done that the entire 7 years I've owned the bike. No problems w/leaving it on, and my battery has served a long life probably because it stays on the BT.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[9 1/2 Beers]

Confused by that too... I leave mine on the BT whenever it's parked and have done that the entire 7 years I've owned the bike. No problems w/leaving it on, and my battery has served a long life probably because it stays on the BT.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

 

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[Rooster]

Somebody tryin to say somethin

[Rimjam]

Just old school thinking I guess.  There's always a chance (however small) of something shorting out & starting a fire, even when sitting still. Guess I just feel safer if nothing is connected.

[Boatman]

Leave my 3 tenders hooked to 2 bikes and an atv when not being ridden.  I can ride all day, hook up the tender, and it will charge for a bout 2-3 minutes before going green.   You will do your battery a favor-no worries.

[SBB]

Somebody tryin to say somethin

YES SIR!


SBB

[spydglide]

Just old school thinking I guess.  There's always a chance (however small) of something shorting out & starting a fire, even when sitting still. Guess I just feel safer if nothing is connected.

I know where you're coming from, I still have a funny feeling when leaving the house unattended for any period of time and having battery tenders hooked up, but it is old school thinking and I've pretty much adjusted to it now.  If someone tells me of a house that burned to the ground due to a batteryl tender, then I'm gonna start worring all over again.  har.  spyder

[grc]

I've been leaving my bikes on a battery tender 100% of the time over the winters for many years now, and have had zero issues.  My batteries also last 6 years on average since I started doing that.  I don't know of a downside.  And if your worried about electrical fires, I'd suggest you worry about all that other stuff in the average home these days that is "ON" all the time.  It would be easiest to just cut the power at the meter if you really think an electrical fire is in your future.

Keep the homeowner's insurance paid up and don't worry about it.


Jerry

[Fired00d]

I know where you're coming from, I still have a funny feeling when leaving the house unattended for any period of time and having battery tenders hooked up, but it is old school thinking and I've pretty much adjusted to it now.  If someone tells me of a house that burned to the ground due to a batteryl tender, then I'm gonna start worring all over again.  har.  spyder

When that happens you better start unplugging everything in your house when you leave... any electrical appliance can short out/cause a fire (chit happens), but if used properly as recommended by manufacturer then you should feel safe leaving it plugged in and unattended.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

I've been leaving my bikes on a battery tender 100% of the time over the winters for many years now, and have had zero issues.  My batteries also last 6 years on average since I started doing that.  I don't know of a downside.  And if your worried about electrical fires, I'd suggest you worry about all that other stuff in the average home these days that is "ON" all the time.  It would be easiest to just cut the power at the meter if you really think an electrical fire is in your future.

Keep the homeowner's insurance paid up and don't worry about it.


Jerry

Jerry you thinking/typing like a FF/Fire Marshal now... you beat me to it.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d