K11 Owners Group

Chris Davenport · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Indianapolis

I need to winterize my '93 K1100RS so I am thinking of buying a Battery Tender. Does anyone use these? There are several models, the Jr and the Plus, as well as options for wet cells and gel cells. I'm just not savvy enough to know the best option for this bike.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Chris Davenport
davvey72@gmail.com
_________________
Chris Davenport
Indianapolis, IN
'93 K1100RS

Jim · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:42 am Post subject: battery tender

Hi Chris - welcome to K11OG!

You could buy a Battery Tender - or you could buy almost any of the other chargers/tenders out there. I have a Battery Tender (guess I should sell it) that I don't use any more. If I don't have the bike plugged in to the on-board charger (Charge-X) I use an Optimate: http://www.smartchargers.com/catalog

You can find Optimate at Amazon, too. I bought directly from the website - I think the price was about the same, and they had free shipping at the time.

If you're just looking for a small trickle charger, you can get those from smartgchargers, too.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:55 am Post subject:

I've got a couple of BT Juniors. Ten years on one of them and still working fine.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Stoked Steve · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:45 am Post subject:

I use the Battery Tender Junior as well, got a BMW plug so that it plugs right into the outlet socket on the side of the bike, makes for quick hook up and disconnect.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Phil Marvin · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Hi, Chris,
I'm a cheap SOB (frugal might be a better word). I went to Harbor Freight and bought their float charger. It is often on sale. I've bought them for as much as $10 and as little as $4. They work. I clip off the connectors and attach a BMW plug, then plug it into the power socket. From experience, I will add to first check to see of your power socket works! It doesn't do any good to plug the charger into a dead power socket!
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject:

I bought a couple of those HF $3.99 battery chargers. They didn't last very long. Rolling Eyes

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Kenji · Joined: 06 Nov 2009 Posts: 18 Location: Oakland, CA

Jim · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject:

The reason I ended up with the Optimate is that it can revive batteries that once would have been recycled. I don't think the trickle chargers are capable of desulfating a battery.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Geoff · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

I use a Battery Tender with a plug that connects to the power socket on the bike.
_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic

John Clauss · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:08 am Post subject:

I have a BT Jr. I have the pigtail on my tractor and I use the alligator clips for the bike. About once a week I switch them and it does a great job. One charger, two machines, no issues.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

Chris Davenport · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Indianapolis

Thanks for the info guys. I went ahead and bought a Battery Tender Jr. and the BMW plug for the powerlet source. Its hooked up now and hopefully charging...

I did a very stupid thing to drain the battery. I hopped on the bike, started turning it over with the automatic start, in no time draining the battery, only to look down and see my kickstand still down. Stupid, stupid, stupid...
_________________
Chris Davenport
Indianapolis, IN
'93 K1100RS

Phil Marvin · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject: