Shared Knowledge
"Vespa ET-4 - Battery Tender Plus"
4 December 2010
Updated: 14 October 2011
Summary: If you have a Vespa or other motorcycle, you need a Battery Tender.
Background:
Vespa ET-4 (150CC), 2004, 3100 miles
After first 2 years of regular riding, mileage dropped off.
In 2007, battery dead and would not take charge. Replaced.
In 2009, battery dead and would not take charge. Replaced.
Why batteries have such a short life?
Battery Needs Battery Tender Plus:
From Internet search, turns out that automotive batteries destroy themselves if a charge is not properly maintained.
Ok, how to maintain a charge when I ride so little?
Answer is "Battery Tender Plus." Battery Tender Plus is a small trickle charger that plugs into a wall outlet and then is connected to the Vespa battery via a permanent charge connection. All the time the Vespa is sitting in my garage, the battery is being maintained properly by the Battery Tender Plus. When I want to ride the Vespa, I simply unhook the Tender from its battery connector that hangs just below the rear tire cowling.
Since I installed the Battery Tender Plus, every time I go to start the Vespa the battery is hot and the Vespa starts right up.
Costs $80 or so at every battery change, the $50 cost of a Battery Tender Plus is well worth it.
Updated 14 October 2011:
After prolonged use have determined that once Battery Tender charges and shuts itself off, it stays off, meaning it does not automatically charge again!
With can result in battery going bad even sitting on Battery Tender.
To fix this problem, I have installed a clock timer on the outlet controlling the Battery Tender.
With the clock timer, each day, the Battery Tender is switched on and off, causing the Battery Tender to charge the battery.