A battery tender it the ticket with these Mules. I go several weeks at times without using mine and since I have started using a battery tender, my battery is usually ready to go. My Mule is a 2005 model and am on my third battery. Probably could be only two, but I did replace the original battery after I put my winch on, upgrading to a battery with more reserve amps and cranking amps. I felt the original battery didn't have the amperage to operate my 3500 lb. winch in a hard pull. I just bought a cheap 3/4 amp battery tender (not the name brand) at Tractor Supply on their reduced section. Actually bought every one they had once I saw that they did work. I have one on each of my riding mowers, my tractor, 4 wheeler and my Mule. All work great, unfortunately I haven't seen them since at Tractor Supply. These do not charge a dead battery, just keeps your battery topped off and ready to go. They do not harm the battery in over charging like a higher amperage charger left on does.