Battery Tender vs Battery Tender Jr.

Topics related to the ownership, maintenance, equipping, operation, and riding of the R1150R.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
gagator79
Lifer
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat May 21, 2005 6:06 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Atlanta
Contact:

Battery Tender vs Battery Tender Jr.

Post by gagator79 »

Is there any difference in these (other than price) for use on the 1150R? Any other cables required that are not included in the package?

Thanks...Don
Don Purvis
'02 1150R (Atlanta Blue)
Oilhead
Basic User
Posts: 353
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:42 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Connecticut

Post by Oilhead »

I believe the warranty on the Tender is 10 years and the Jr. is 5 years. Other than that, I prefer the Jr. as it is much smaller and works perfectly for my three bikes. I would get the adapter to fit the power socket as the battery terminals are hard to reach on the Roadster.
User avatar
tipstall
Lifer
Posts: 139
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:44 pm
Donating Member #: 487
Location: NW Chicagoland

Post by tipstall »

Does the adapter come with the tender, (new model as my bike has the gel cell)?
Silver '04 R1150R
#487
Boxerboy
Basic User
Posts: 279
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:13 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Australia

Post by Boxerboy »

Do gels require special chargers?
Cheers...and stay horizontal!
Wayno28
Lifer
Posts: 146
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:20 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Kansas City, Mo.

Post by Wayno28 »

Gel Cells require special charger! Dont know which one right now but when I go to the Garage will get the # for you.

Wayne
gagator79
Lifer
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat May 21, 2005 6:06 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Atlanta
Contact:

Adapter Cables

Post by gagator79 »

I found adapter cables at the site below for the bmw power plug.

http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/cables.php
Don Purvis
'02 1150R (Atlanta Blue)
313-Matt
Basic User
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:30 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Detroit, MI USA

Post by 313-Matt »

No BMW adapter came with my tender. It had a couple of alligator clips and a set of lugs that you could affix to a battery. You could swap these out with this connector in the line.

My previous owner had rigged up a adapter to allow him to use the power outlet as a regular (American car-style) power point. (Goodness only knows why.) On the middle of this line there is a connector that mates up to the tender connection. The polarity is even correct. :)

I like this setup as I can use the tender on any bike. The CL often needs a trickle, and over the winter I like to give the other batteries a little shot of juice. (Plus, I think my clock will tend to use just a squeek here and there.)

313-Matt

ps - New here - Hello, all. No 1100, but the little R850 R. Of course, for me it's the big bike in the stable.
97 R850 R
81 XS 650
73 CL 350
Oilhead
Basic User
Posts: 353
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:42 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Connecticut

Post by Oilhead »

You need to buy the BMW plug adapter separately. It is very expensive but in the long run, worth it.

Why in the world would you need a different charger for a gel battery??
User avatar
tipstall
Lifer
Posts: 139
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:44 pm
Donating Member #: 487
Location: NW Chicagoland

Post by tipstall »

I think I'm being messed with. This is from the BMW website. Guess I also answered my own question, it does come with the Accessory socket.

BMW Generation II (Gel) Charger

Automatic Battery Charger, specially designed for use on BMW motorcycles. Maintains new BMW gel (standard from '04) and older-style lead-acid batteries at full charge for extended periods of time without the risk of overcharging or boiling over. Comes complete with BMW accessory socket plug and jumper clips.
Silver '04 R1150R
#487
Acacia
Basic User
Posts: 335
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 9:28 pm
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Sugar Land, TX

Post by Acacia »

I am not happy with Deltran.

I have both Jr's - had to buy another for the Gel in the bike. 1st Jr for the gel malfunctioned after 2 months. They replaced that. Now, 4 months later - the same problem.

The problem is that when the battery is at 100%- it is supposed to go to float (solid green led) and does not. It does with a regular battery, but remains flashing (indicating 80% plus). Actual voltage is over 13V -so it is fully charged! So, the 2nd one has to go back.

Why a special charger for gel? Something to do with the stage charge profiles and chemistry of gel's - regular chargers are supposed to damage them.
Member #192
"Life is a curve!"
Oilhead
Basic User
Posts: 353
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:42 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Connecticut

Post by Oilhead »

tipstall wrote:I think I'm being messed with. This is from the BMW website. Guess I also answered my own question, it does come with the Accessory socket.

BMW Generation II (Gel) Charger

Automatic Battery Charger, specially designed for use on BMW motorcycles. Maintains new BMW gel (standard from '04) and older-style lead-acid batteries at full charge for extended periods of time without the risk of overcharging or boiling over. Comes complete with BMW accessory socket plug and jumper clips.
I was referring to the Battery Tender Jr. when I said it does not come with the adapter.
Guest

Post by Guest »

I was thinking of buying this one:
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/pr ... em=BATTEND

It even mentions BMW gel batteries and they have the accessory adapter.

Anyone have experience with it?
User avatar
tipstall
Lifer
Posts: 139
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:44 pm
Donating Member #: 487
Location: NW Chicagoland

Post by tipstall »

Anonymous wrote:I was thinking of buying this one:
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/pr ... em=BATTEND

It even mentions BMW gel batteries and they have the accessory adapter.

Anyone have experience with it?
I think that is what started this thread. :wink:
Silver '04 R1150R
#487
Peter J.

Battery Tender vs Bateery tender Jr.

Post by Peter J. »

I bought the Battery Tender International, less than the BMW version and usable anywhere in the world. I already had the adapter plug so a no brainer. The BMW branded version comes with the adapter plug in the package.

2004 Fero Blue RR
The Kurch Man
Basic User
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:44 am
Donating Member #: 0
Location: Metro Detroit - Michigan

Post by The Kurch Man »

I believe the regular Battery Tender gives more of a charge than the Jr - if that's an issue for anyone. I use the regular BT (I think I bought the plug from the BMW Dealer but did not buy the BMW tender) for my 04. Have never removed the battery yet - just plug and store in the winter. The dealer told me it was not necessary to buy the BMW version for my bike and so far, I have not had a problem.
Dennis
2004 R1150R
Doug
Site Admin
Posts: 1192
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:16 pm
Donating Member #: 1
Location: NY
Contact:

Post by Doug »

I like the battery tenders. I have a few of them, used them on both cars and bikes. I have an extra BMW adapter that came with my battery tender "BMW edition" if someone needs it. It looks like this, except with a longer cord: Image

It works with the battery tender and the BMW accessory socket which is very easy to install and worth the effort in the long run.
Post Reply