BMW Gel Battery Tender and battery question

[bimmer83is]

Although I have the Battery Tender Plus and some say it is fine for the gel battery, I think I will purchase BMWs battery tender and be on the safe side. Does anyone know where is a good source to purchase this. Also wanted to double check that my bike has a gel battery. It is a 2004 ABS, probably bought by the owner in April 2003.
TIA...Vinny

[tipstall]

You can find 20% off sales and get it for a reasonable price.

[Eqyn Dad]

You may not want to spend your money. I talked with Battery Tender today and they assured me that using the battery Tender Plus on a gel battery is just fine.

[Guest]

What?

Someone said that Deltran, the makers of Battery Tender, made the 'gel' chargers for BMW?

Why then does Deltran make a special Jr just for Gel batteries then?

As I said in a nother post, I am pi$$ed off with Deltran - I have now had 2 special 'gel' chargers fail to charge my BMW gel battery properly - they charge an Odessy correctly though.

[GJBushman]

It is my understanding that there are there are two versions of the Battery Tender Plus, one will work for the gel battery and one will not. You need to look closely at the product to make sure you have the right one. I would check with the manufacturer for the specific model numbers for each.

[Grumpole]

As I understand it, there are two types of sealed battery - gel and AGM. Is there a functional difference?

[fnfalman]

The BMW battery charger is the same thing as the Battery Tender Plus except that that it says "BMW" on it and costs about $30 more.

PS The current Battery Tender Plus can charge regular batteries, gel and AGM batteries. The older ones may not though. The Battery Tender Junior may not charge the gel battery.

[solitario11]

what if you just want to charge enough to get started and take for a long ride to get sharge that way? would a regular tender charger work?
thanks!

[Biff's R]

If you have an '04, there are "studs" to use to jump the bike, and then you could ride for an hour and charge the battery up.

There are 2 different model numbers on the Tender plus, one is for lead-acid and AGM batteries, and the other is for gel batteries like the BMW one. I have the BMW Tender(Christmas gift) which is made by Deltran, but it comes standard with an adapter that can be used in the BMW accessory plug. By time you buy the adapter, the BMW Tender is only about $10 more than the Deltran. I have had excellent service from the people at Deltran, and would highly recommend their products.

[tipstall]

Got my new Gen II BMW Gel Charger hooked up tonight. With the 20% off $63.20. No more weak starts after the bike sits a little and the cold weather, (actually it only sounded weak once).

Thanks for the help and advice.

[AndyfromPoland]

BMW charger £65.

Halfords own brand £23.

Both do exactly the same thing, just you pay over £40 to plug into the accessory socket.

[Guest]

Over here in the UK there is a similar amount of confusion on this issue.
I use an Optimate III charger, I used it on a blackbird, a VTR 1000 and now on RT 1150 04 plug in to electric socket with no trouble at all............................so far

[Eqyn Dad]

I purchased the new Battery Tender Plus for Gels. Across the top is a label that says, " Programmed for Gel Batteries".

According to the directions it can be used on all 3 types.

Charger was $44 and the BMW cable was $11 (i should have made that myself and saved).

[AndyfromPoland]

Over here in the UK there is a similar amount of confusion on this issue.

Simplistic approach from me. Does the bike start after charging? If yup then it works.

Only bought it when I broke my leg and wasn't able to ride for a few weeks ...

One charge isn't a hugely significant sample, I admit.

[Eqyn Dad]

I have had the new "programmed for gel" in use for a week now. The only difference I have noted is the charger takes a bit longer to reach 100%.

No apparent difference in cranking power.