Canadian Energy, formerly Battery Direct

[Dennis]

For many years, Battery Direct (now Canadian Energy) was my first choice for motorcycle batteries.  Not anymore.  Last year I wanted a small battery for my Ebay Bobber (they generally only last a year).  They did not have them in stock and said they could order them in etc.  I went up to Interstate Battery and they had one.  Cheap and lasted the season, and probably would have lasted longer if I'd trickle charged it occasionally.

Today I went to Canadian Energy.  I also wanted a battery for the Smither's XS650 with a custom battery box designed to hold a very common Sportster type battery.  They had neither.  The salesman confirmed that Canadian Energy is the exact same company as Battery Direct, just a new name.  They are branching out into other products such as solar panels, and do not want to be seen as a niche only business.  Again they said they could order them in, but the Sportster styled one would take over two weeks, and the small one would be Thursday next week at the earliest.

The salesman also told me that they only stock the top 50 batteries.  Apparently small motorcycles and Harley Sportsters are not in the top 50.  I bet my old minivan is.

I drove up to Interstate Batteries.  They are in the process of moving back to their old location on Massey.  They popped up both batteries on their computer and both are in stock. 

I guess I have a new preferred supplier.

Peace & Grease, Dennis.

[BRUMMIEBEEMER]

Funny old thing that - I was searching for some Electronic Equipment batteries, guess who had them not only on the shelf but cheaper than anyone else.
Yup Interstate Batteries and I thought they only did car batteries. I also noticed they had the correct battery for the K75 right there on the shelf.
They also do all types of cell phone, portable phone batteries there.

[Canaduc]

Canadian Energy did not have the battery for my 04 Ford Ranger or my Ducati. Interstate had both

[stevecrout]

I wonder if this is a good time and place to ask members what they use as a 'battery saver' over the winter and how well (how many seasons) it works?

I'm trying one of the de-sulfating trickle chargers on several batteries but have no results yet.  I'd be interested to know the following from other members:

1) method of storage (do you put on the trickle charger and let it go or??)
2) make and model of charger that actually maintains the battery for more than a season
3) where is it stored (does inside or outside make a big difference)

Once I get back home and fire up a few of the beasts I'll need to maintain the batteries I buy and I'd rather not have to replace them every year.

[Donovan]

Hi Steve 
Not sure if this will help but this is what I do with my motorcycle batteries.  I store them indoors in the garage which is heated.  I do not keep a trickle charger on during the winter but charge them up in the Spring.  I use to use a regular charger which will go down to 2 amps charging rate but now use a Battery Tender Plus for the charging.  As it is the batteries tend to last 3 or 4 seasons.
Donovan

[Theo]

My habit is now to connect a battery tender when my bike(s) go into storage (whether heated or unheated) in the fall.  My 2007 Bonneville still operates normally with the original battery.  The Honda's battery lasted 4 years and was not maintained by a battery tender.
I'm a believer in running the battery tender all/most of the off season.

Ted

[Hans]

Batteries come out and into the basement on a piece of plywood. Check the levels and overnight on a 1 amp charger, good to go in the spring.

[MaximX]

I tend to get about 5 years out of a bike battery.  One thing that lead acid batteries do not like is a total discharge.  They like to be near full charge.  I used to charge them up and leave them for months over the winter, but now have a battery tender which goes on sale once and a while at Can tire.  There are a few of these devices now, genius, etc that all probably do a good job.  Every few weeks I would plug it into the bike, then the car over the winter.