Battery Charging question

rger8 · October 04, 2010, 04:35:52 PM

I bought a "Matinence Free" battery. I also bought a "Float Charger" from Harbor Freight for cheap. The battery says it's an "Airtight, with Non-Floating electrolyte". It's a "Power Source" brand battery.

The charger says for use on "Wet or Gell cell" batteries. It is not to be used on AGM type batteries.

My question: Is it ok to use a float charger on this? I assume it's not an AGM battery because it doesn't say it is anywhere on it or the box it came in.

I have no idea what the difference is between an AGM and the one I have

Thanks for any feedback

centuryghost · October 04, 2010, 04:58:49 PM

Good site for you: http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html

zirconx · October 07, 2010, 07:00:54 PM

If you just bought a normal "maintenance free" battery from a bike shop or walmart or whatever, its not an AGM. That charger will work just fine.

I notice even when I use my (much higher quality I think) "battery tender" brand trickle charger, sometimes I hear the battery boiling. So I don't leave even a trickle charger on all the time. I put it on every few weeks or so in winter. I plan to get around to putting it on a appliance timer and just run it for an hour a day.

JB848 · October 13, 2010, 12:15:02 AM

For the love of God..which ever one you choose. Stop with the battery sh1t! Please! Buy a 20$ battery tender..hook it up when you are not riding and be done with it!

Some times in life you meet some one that really makes your heart beat....pump....pump. and then she opens her mouth and says the stupidest thing you ever heard. That is what this forum is on a reguler basis, search the data base before you ask,if you don't get an answer then start a new topic.

Electrojake · October 15, 2010, 06:48:47 PM

Quote from: JB848 on October 13, 2010, 12:15:02 AM
For the love of God..which ever one you choose. Stop with the battery sh1t! Please! Buy a 20$ battery tender..hook it up when you are not riding and be done with it!

Some times in life you meet some one that really makes your heart beat....pump....pump. and then she opens her mouth and says the stupidest thing you ever heard. That is what this forum is on a reguler basis, search the data base before you ask,if you don't get an answer then start a new topic.

Whoa JB, noobs getting you down?
Well then, how about a nice semi on-topic noob question. . .

What do you guys do with these battery chargers?
I have 4 bikes sitting in my garage, I cant ride em' all at once, so some times a particular bike may sit for several weeks with out being run.
Never had to leave a <healthy> bike on charger.

Not trying to be a wise azs, just wondering what gives with the need to pump juice into these batteries all the time.
And yeah, I have one of these:

But its usually on my trolling motor battery, not my bike.

Anaconda · October 15, 2010, 07:07:45 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1287194672&sr=8-1

I seriously consider using that one. Though your battery tender plus is good too. The junior one has 4 power options and it worked great in charging my battery, plus it's only $23.99. It's not even expensive enough to get Amazon's super free shipping of $25. LOLOLOLOL I plug it in and forget with that pig tail thing and it's even useful to connect to the gps charger I purchased that uses the same plugs! lol so much for having to tap into a wire have the accessory outlet be tapped into a wire/being on all the time. *sorry, went on a tangent, but yes, that's all you need for your battery concerns*

Suzuki Stevo · October 15, 2010, 07:41:15 PM

Quote from: Electrojake on October 15, 2010, 06:48:47 PMjust wondering what gives with the need to pump juice into these batteries all the time.

Sulfation of the plates starts when the voltage drops below 12.4V, put a bike in storage and the voltage will drop, some faster than others. I own 7 bikes, Sta-Bil and Battery Tender Jr's are an absolute must for me to keep them all in a "turn key" operational status..even in the summer.

(all 7 are in this photo)

JB848 · October 15, 2010, 08:34:13 PM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on October 15, 2010, 07:41:15 PM
Quote from: Electrojake on October 15, 2010, 06:48:47 PMjust wondering what gives with the need to pump juice into these batteries all the time.
Sulfation of the plates starts when the voltage drops below 12.4V, put a bike in storage and the voltage will drop, some faster than others. I own 7 bikes, Sta-Bil and Battery Tender Jr's are an absolute must for me to keep them all in a "turn key" operational status..even in the summer.

(all 7 are in this photo)

I agree 100% like I said. I paid 20$ for a battery tender. How much does a battery cost you?

Electrojake · October 15, 2010, 09:09:30 PM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on October 15, 2010, 07:41:15 PM
Sulfation of the plates starts when the voltage drops below 12.4V, put a bike in storage and the voltage will drop, some faster than others. I own 7 bikes, Sta-Bil and Battery Tender Jr's are an absolute must for me to keep them all in a "turn key" operational status..even in the summer.

Thank you.
Good input there on that <12.4 volt issue.
I'll grab a voltmeter and take a look at were my batts are sitting voltage wise.
BTW: That garage looks like a nice place to spend time.

JB848 · October 15, 2010, 09:48:49 PM

The proper solution is 35% sulfuric acid and 65% water (called electrolyte). If your voltage goes below 12+ volts it means that the sulfur in the solution has accumulated on the plates (Lead in you battery) by inactivity of the electrons. Hence an inactive battery will go bad. A trickle charge will keep the sulfur from accumulating on the plates. Longer battery life will be the result. So what ever the voltage your battery presents it is the "AMPS" it is capable of not the "VDC" it produces is what starts your bike in mathematics it is V = IR Volts= AMPSxResistance

More "AMPS" more umph. Voltage is a inherent product of "AMPS" x "Resistance" available. And when time and accumulation of sulfur on the plates reach a high "Nontransferable State" that is when the battery dies.

Unless something new is discovered, keeping the electrons charging at no matter what rate facilitates longer, healthier battery life!

Suzuki Stevo · October 15, 2010, 09:52:27 PM

Quote from: Electrojake on October 15, 2010, 09:09:30 PMBTW: That garage looks like a nice place to spend time.

Thanx!
Life is what you make it, "You like to see homo's naked?" <<<favorite line from Joe Dirt

I don't even mind doing all the maintenance on them now that I have a lift...I'm too old to be laying on concrete

I go to the garage to lube cables and chains and it takes me all afternoon...I'm not complaining though!

Suzuki Stevo · October 15, 2010, 10:06:16 PM

Quote from: Anaconda on October 15, 2010, 07:07:45 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1287194672&sr=8-1

I seriously consider using that one. Though your battery tender plus is good too. The junior one has 4 power options and it worked great in charging my battery, plus it's only $23.99. It's not even expensive enough to get Amazon's super free shipping of $25. LOLOLOLOL I plug it in and forget with that pig tail thing and it's even useful to connect to the gps charger I purchased that uses the same plugs! lol so much for having to tap into a wire have the accessory outlet be tapped into a wire/being on all the time. *sorry, went on a tangent, but yes, that's all you need for your battery concerns*

That's the one I use times seven

JB848 · October 15, 2010, 10:15:30 PM

So I guess you did listen?

Suzuki Stevo · October 15, 2010, 10:30:25 PM

Quote from: JB848 on October 15, 2010, 10:15:30 PM
So I guess you did listen?

Yeah, I listened to the Click, Click, Thud of a 3 year old battery and got hip real quick!

JB848 · October 15, 2010, 11:01:59 PM

Well if we save one battery we have won this battle.

Electrojake · October 17, 2010, 03:04:08 PM

Stand-by a moment. . .

Electrojake · October 17, 2010, 04:06:11 PM

O.K., I'm back. . .
Rather they bore you with all my new found wisdom on battery charging, I'll just list the key issues. . .

1.) There are discussions (debates) on whether to constant charge or not.
NOTE: New micro-processor designs on "some" chargers kill that debate. It is safe to keep a charger connected if you have the proper style of charger.

2.) Old school wet cell batteries benefit greatly from keeping a smart-charger connected to them.
Not so much with the newer AGM & Gel Cells. For these types, the constant charge is not nearly as critical.

3.) The Big Picture: Everything I found did state that for small batteries like lawn mowers & motorcycles which are not in constant use, keeping them connected to a smart-charger will extend their useful life. In some cases by up to 50% or more.

Jeez, I got a Battery Tender Plus and almost never use it!

There is a LOT more info about simple things that can trash a good battery but I'm already too long here.
Thank you for helping me my get my head out of my ___ on batteries! I gotta' go juice-up my already fully charged battery on my GS, (man I'm confused), but you guys are right so I'm gonna' follow your lead!
Regardless, I say "Well done boys & Thanks",

-Ej-

News:

Battery Charging question