Battery Charging Tips

Published by: 2Wheeltips on 23rd Feb 2010 | View all blogs by 2Wheeltips
David Hough, the author of the Proficient Motorcycling books, sent us this advice regarding charging batteries on motorcycles.  We felt it was excellent information for all to read, so here it is:
 
"I don't know if you have covered battery charging, or intend to. In a nutshell, VRLA batteries (Gel and AGM) require higher voltage and amperage to properly charge. That means that your "old" charger (Yuasa, Battery Doc, Deltran, etc.) made a few years ago for vented "wet" lead/acid batteries won't keep your new AGM or Gel battery happy. Further, with today's exotic electrical systems, (CAN bus, etc.) there can be parasitic draws on the battery even with the key off.
 
I've been working my way through this because I have an Odyssey VRLA battery in Sparky.
 
I recently ran upon an excellent chart of the algorithms for different battery types. It's from Optimate, but is useful for any battery type. http://www.optimatepro.com/4x4/ click on the charging algorithm under the picture of the charger for the pdf file.
 
DLH"

Comments

2 Comments

  • mrlmd
    by mrlmd 1 year ago
    One thing to remember that the battery dealer or retailer will never tell you - if you get a new AGM battery, like most of the motorcycle batteries are these days, whether it comes prefilled or you have to fill it yourself, IT MUST BE FULLY CHARGED UP BEFORE FIRST USE or it will prematurely fail (like maybe after only a few starts of the bike), and you will be back at the battery store getting a replacement. Do not just get a new battery, let it sit for an hour or two as the dealer will tell you, then put it into service without fully charging it. It will not hold it's rated amp-hr capacity and not sufficiently charge up to full capacity with the bike's mostly puny charging system. Be forewarned. I went through three new batteries on my old bike before the dealer gave up and gave me a refund - they all tested defective with a load tester when I returned them. When I went to replace it for the 4th time with a Yausa, I spoke to them directly and this was not only advice from them but mandatory in their instructions that come with the battery, So, again, to save you time and trouble, charge up all new batteries first on a charger before you put them into use on your bike.
  • 2Wheeltips
    by 2Wheeltips 1 year ago
    Mark,

    O U T S T A N D I N G A D V I C E!!

    I chewed through a battery like this on my VTX when I first got it.
    Also know that once you drain them 3 or 4 times (like leaving the lights on) they will not hold their charge either. That was an expensive lesson I had to learn as well.

    Tony
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