The information on this page is intended as a
guide only, please consult your owners manual, or battery manufacturer for
individual instructions concerning your products.
Motorcycle Batteries
When you start up your bike, the electric starter
draws a current from the battery. When you are riding, the alternator will
then re-charge what you have 'used'. In normal circumstances the alternator
will then provide all the current required by the bike whilst riding. However
at times when you are in slow traffic or doing short runs, the alternator will
not provide enough current and will start to drain on your battery. Persistent
short and slow runs will deteriorate your battery as the alternator will not
have the 'time' to recharge what you have used by starting the bike, and what
you are pulling from the battery during the short runs. It will take about
10-15 minutes riding at 50-60mph to recharge what you've used starting the
bike up.
Motorcycle Storage
Motorbikes will place a drain on the
battery even if it is not in use. If you are storing your motorcycle over
winter or for any length of time exceeding 6 weeks, you would do some good to
remove the battery from your bike.
Fully charge your battery before storing it in a safe dry place, as storing a
semi-charged battery can cause deterioration.
Ensure the battery is not placed anywhere near any electrics or fires and
neither in some place where it may freeze.
You should clean the battery case and terminals
with a damp cloth using a little baking soda and water.
Checking
your battery
If any of your battery cells are lower
than the recommended level, you should add distilled water to the cells which
have a low level and THEN charge the battery. Do not attempt to charge the
battery before as it will be a slightly pointless exercise ;)
You should keep an eye on the battery
when in use every fortnight, and when not in use every 2 months and put on
charge if necessary. Don't automatically presume your battery was charged when
you left it and that it will be ok four months later.
Charging your battery
Red is positive and Black is negative. Connect the red clip to the + and
connect the black clip to the -.
Charge the
battery away from naked
flames and sparks.
The
gases
given
off by
a battery can be explosive.
You should use a charger
suitable for your type of battery. The charger should give a greater output
than the battery voltage. However, if it is too high the battery acid will
start the wonderful process of electrolysis, which creates gas bubbles.
A regular battery charger will not
regulate the charging voltage and you will need to disconnect the battery
charger from the battery at the end of it's charge. An optimiser can be left
on the battery as it effectively 'switches off' when the battery is charged
and 'tops up' when it checks itself.
Reviving a dead
motorcycle battery
If your battery is flat you should place
it on charge with a suitable motorcycle charger or Optimiser.
A battery which is fully discharged and
left will sulphate and will not be able to retain or sustain a full charge for
any length of time, even if you have been able to fully charge it.
If you are persistently suffering from a
dead battery, you should check to see if your alternator (rectifier) is
working correctly.
If your battery has bitten the dust, you
shouldn't waste too much time in buying a replacement, As your old battery
will be unlikely to hold a good charge for any length of time.
Charging a new
motorcycle battery
The first charge of a new battery is the most
important charge of the batteries life span. Most are dry charged which means
they will perform for a short while. If your battery is not fully charged when
you first put it on your bike then it starts at a disadvantage.
If you have a dry battery, fill the cells slowly and
leave the battery for around half an hour, to allow them to settle and then
top up if required. Do not overfill the cells!
The minimum charge should be for at least 8 hours, If
the battery during this time gets warm, turn off the charger and wait until it
cools down.
Battery
Maintenance
It is advisable to put your battery on
charge every two weeks using a suitable battery charger. Optimisers are ideal
as they will not overheat or over charge your battery.
Make sure the
connections are clean and the electrolyte is at the upper level. Don't fill
the cells up to the
very
top
of the battery.
If your battery has
an upper and lower level, ensure that all the cells are on the upper level,
not over and definitely not under the lower level ! One
weak cell can
contaminate the others. Use only distilled water for topping off the low
cells.
