What's new
Honda Trail 125 Forum

Welcome to the Honda Trail 125 Forum! We are an enthusiast forum for the Trail 125, Hunter Cub, CT125 or whatever it's called in your country. Feel free to join up and help us build an information resources for this motorcycle. Register a free account today to become a member. Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Battery in winter - trickle charger/battery tender/battery maintainer?

dallasallad

New member
Joined
Jul 28, 2021
Messages
3
The owners manual says:
If you use electrical accessories that drain the battery or you do not ride frequently, we recommend that you charge the battery every 30 days using a charger designed specifically for your Honda, which can be purchased from your dealer. Read the information that came with your battery charger and follow the instructions on the battery. Avoid using an automobile-type battery charger, as these can overheat a motorcycle battery and cause permanent damage.
I've heard people suggest a trickle charger if you aren't riding in the winter, but I'm also worried about buying the "wrong" kind. I also stumbled across articles pushing a battery maintainer vs battery tender vs trickle charger. Now I'm getting analysis paralysis from having too many choices, so does anybody have some advice or want to suggest what they use?
 

dmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,136
Location
🇺🇸
If your use case is keeping the battery healthy when not riding in the winter months, then you want a battery maintainer. They're designed to only send a charge to the battery when it is able to accept it, which makes them the safest option to leave plugged in unattended. The bike comes with an AGM type battery which is very common so you shouldn't have trouble finding one that works with it as long as it says it's safe for motorcycles.

I have used Battery Tender (don't let the name fool you, they're actually maintainers) and CTEK chargers and never had an issue with either. Both offer hookups for an SAE plug if you wanted to mount a quick-disconnect cable on the battery for easily plugging it in to charge. Be sure to read the instructions as some have a mode specifically for lower battery sizes (Ah) used in motorcycles. Some models also have modes to recondition/de-sulfate a battery that has been drained to an unhealthy level.
 

m in sc

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
agreed. I used a tender on my 09 ducati sport classic, and it ruined the battery box. I never use them since and have never seen any gain vs. running them on occasion. (across 12 bikes and 2 vintage cars).
 

dmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,136
Location
🇺🇸
Do you guys have a recommendation for a system for 3 bikes?
If you have a plug tied into the battery on each bike, you can just rotate one battery maintainer between them.

For what it's worth, Jay Leno uses CTEK battery maintainers for his collection and their plug (there's an adapter to also work with SAE plugs) comes as standard equipment on a lot of luxury and sports cars. When I bought my Ducati Scrambler the dealership had added the CTEK cable to it as they do for every bike they sell, probably a good way to entice customers to buy a marked up battery maintainer from them, but it also showed they trust them enough to not consider it a liability. My father has a mix of modern and antique Harleys and has used OptiMate chargers on those for over a decade without issue either. They have a single charger that's capable of switching between 6v and 12v which made it a great choice for having some bikes that are 6-volt. I ended up buying a 6-volt CTEK charger last time I was driving a 6-volt car, and I also have the Lithium one because any bike I ride in the winter gets a Lithium battery.
 
Last edited:

G19Tony

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
797
Location
Las Vegas, NV
I'm a BatteryMinder fanboy. I have them on all three bikes. I used them on my airplane. I have them plugged in all the time, when not riding. I need to get one for my truck.
 

sha66y

New member
Joined
Aug 2, 2021
Messages
25
Location
Rhode Island
Also a newb when storing a bike for winter and battery maintenance in general. When I wired up the 12v adapter it was a pain to take apart the bike to get to the battery. Are the comments above suggesting you can install some kind of a plug so I only have to open the bike once (before eventually needing to replace the battery)? Also, I see 1 and 2 AMP battery maintainers, which is right for the CT125?
 

dmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,136
Location
🇺🇸
Yes, you can attach an SAE quick disconnect harness to the battery, and then route the plug end so it's outside the body panels for easy access (can even put it under the seat).
More details on that in this thread: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...essory-plug-on-a-honda-ct125-by-migolito.530/

The Yuasa battery that comes standard in the bike lists charging at a standard rate of 0.4A for 5-10h, and can quick charge at 3A for 30 min. So 1-2 amp are within the range of the recommended charging methods and either should be fine. A proper maintainer will adjust charging amperage and voltage automatically based on absorption from the battery so it doesn't get overcharged or sent too much current.
 

sha66y

New member
Joined
Aug 2, 2021
Messages
25
Location
Rhode Island
Thank you @dmonkey I will check out the other thread and give this a go. I live in New England and don't think I'll get the opportunity to ride in the winter much, so this is a good mod for me.
 

Rider

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
77
I have used a Battery Tender Jr on my Harley since I bought it in 2010. I rode the bike very little so I kept it plugged in all winter until I rode the bike in late spring/early summer. I never had issues with it, and will get a quick disconnect for the CT125 - which i hope will see a lot more action than the Harley did.
 

jBIRDt

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2021
Messages
73
Yes, you can attach an SAE quick disconnect harness to the battery, and then route the plug end so it's outside the body panels for easy access (can even put it under the seat).
More details on that in this thread: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...essory-plug-on-a-honda-ct125-by-migolito.530/

The Yuasa battery that comes standard in the bike lists charging at a standard rate of 0.4A for 5-10h, and can quick charge at 3A for 30 min. So 1-2 amp are within the range of the recommended charging methods and either should be fine. A proper maintainer will adjust charging amperage and voltage automatically based on absorption from the battery so it doesn't get overcharged or sent too much current.
connected to battery easily slid under and up center panel to fork neck
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8046.jpg
    IMG_8046.jpg
    72.2 KB · Views: 26

rkutzner

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
45
I've used .80A to 4A Battery Tenders since I can remember. Most of my mower, tractor and motorcycle batteries last 10-12 years ! I had an Optima Red Top last 25 years. I use the Tenders when the temp drops below 40F. Like someone said, you can have a tender for every two, maybe three, batteries and rotate weekly. My Kubota L3700 battery is coming on 12 years and still sitting over 12.6 !
 

rkutzner

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
45
And don't forget your enzymatic Startron in the tank ! I swear that stuff cleans your carbs while it sits in there. I'll take a carb off a dirt bike and it will look brand shiny new inside, that stuff works.
 

rkutzner

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
45
It means you have to buy a matching CT90😁. My mower, dirt bikes, half my motorcycles are still carb, but I'd think that stuff is good for keeping my injectors clean. My 66 GTO always runs the same year after year also! I used to use Stabil with some success, but Startron has left my carbs spotless when I check them or am changing out jets.
 

m in sc

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
leave them full then won't crust up. it's that simple. you drain them they fuzz up. all but2 of my bikes are carburated . that's over 20 carburetors. lol
 

rkutzner

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
45
Agree, I don't run them out. Without stabilizer it's the fuel in the small pilots, like in my KTM200XCW, that used to clog up. Draining a carb still leaves fuel in small pilots and it will gum. 2 strokes especially. Anyways, with Tenders and Startron my bikes always fire right up now. 35 years ago I can't say that was the case. Fuel is worse now yet my stable is better😁
 
Top