Question regarding CTEK battery tender

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According to Deltran, http://batterytender.com/resources/why-battery-tender:
All Battery Tender battery chargers have the five following characteristics:


Fully Automatic: At the end of the regular charger cycle, every Battery Tender battery charger automatically switches its output voltage to a safe, storage or float level that eliminates the need to constantly check on the conditions of the battery.


Full Output Power at Low AC Line Conditions: Battery Tender battery chargers will deliver full output power with input AC line voltages as low as 90 VAC. (Excluding chargers with output current of 2 amps or less).

So BT proves my point exactly...instead of checking and applying an appropriate charge when needed, it's always charging regardless of the current state of the battery. For less than $40 you can get the Optimate 1 mini which is what Yamaha, Honda, and many other OEM's recommend.

If you guys are buying new, premium maintenance free batteries from some shop using a Motomaster or Battery Tender machine, welll I guarantee those batteries aren't leaving anywhere near 100% capacity. I've done a fair share amount of research on the two brands and Optimate is the only shop charger that will properly commission a new battery to 100%....any kind or size.
 
I live in a condo and have the CTEK charger. I take mine to my unit, place it above the ground (cold floors, hot ceilings so I leave mine mid height for a mid temp) and leave it charging over the winter.

The concept of charging a battery full then unplugging it and repeating the cycle stems more from trickle charging. Trickle chargers dont have chips to let it know if it's over charging after it tops off the battery. So you had to unplug it afterwards.

CTEK uses float charge as someone mentioned. The chip inside keeps track of the battery status and (after it's fully charged) charges when the battery discharges. It's topping off the battery rather than re-filling the battery.

And the whole business about gasses being released; from what I understand it occurs when it's over charged for too long or when it's charged at high voltage. Which makes sense. If it was always emitting hydrogen gasses when charging then we'd have a bomb under our butts every time we rode. And the whole sparks flying business, well we all know batteries can create sparks so that's always something to be careful about.

The main key with charging (assuming you have a good charger) is doing it at a good constant temperature (hence why i have mind mid level in the room. I never understood why heater vents are at the top. Hot air rises, cold air drops; plus it's our toes that usually get cold first..). With chargers like CTEK, as long as you follow instructions you are ok to follow Ron Popeil and "set it and forget it".
 
jonl said:
...I use the real, Deltran Battery Tender. GP Bikes includes one with every new and used bike they sell.
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Really? You sure about that? I think they include a Battery Tender pigtail ​with every bike they sell.
 
Bradsma said:
I have the same tender, its hooked to my battery still in the bike which is in my living room. Not an issue.
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You know that having your motorcycle inside your house invalidates your home owners insurance policy right? If anything happens they have a right to deny your claim. Also, if your bike is uninsured, storing it in your house (or garage) does not make it covered on your house insurance ;) Just FYI.

rg0r said:
how did you get your bike into your unit? helicopter?
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I pushed my ex's bike down the main hallway of her condo, it fit in the elevator no problem. 58th floor up, fit great in her livingroom. Nobody said a thing.

-Jamie M.
 
used a ctek one last winter with no trouble. bike is hooked up to it this winter too.
 
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