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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: GS Paul on April 11, 2013, 04:56:07 PM

Title: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: GS Paul on April 11, 2013, 04:56:07 PM
Hey there.

So I bought a 2amp battery trickle charger (on sale) that advertised ideal for motorcycle 12v batteries. (To charge and maintain)

Hooked it up to my Suzuki GS500 battery and went online to check charging times etc.

Started to read how my 2amp trickle charger is wayyyyy too much for my battery. Should be 1.1amp apparently.

Questions are....Will I kill my battery with this charger? Can I still use it?? Lessen the charging time???  Sell it and start over????

Thanks in advance for any help,
Paul

Title: Re: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: jacob92icu on April 11, 2013, 05:56:35 PM
I think you should be fine. The charger should have some kind of current limiting device built in so that it stops pumping the juice when the battery is full, or at least a fuse that pops before stuff gets real. Thats just my opinion though, others will be along shortly.
Title: Re: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: Suzuki Stevo on April 11, 2013, 06:07:10 PM
The GS uses an 11 Amp-Hour battery, you should be able to safely charge it's battery at 1/3 it's Amp-Hour rating (3.6) so actually 2A is not too high.  :thumb:
Title: Re: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: GS Paul on April 11, 2013, 07:11:01 PM
Ok. That helps. I just read to use a charger at 10% the Ah rating to avoid any problems or overcharging.

As long as the thing doesn't blow or bust...I'm happy.

Cheers!
Paul
Title: Re: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: MarkB on April 12, 2013, 09:40:01 AM
"Dumb" chargers for lead-acid batteries apply a (nominally) constant voltage to the battery.  It really doesn't matter what the current capacity of the charger is as long as it maintains the correct voltage within tolerances.  The bike's electrical system is essentially a dumb charger in that the voltage regulator limits the maximum voltage applied to the battery etc.  The hazard with constant voltage chargers is if the voltage is too high and the charger is left on the battery after charging is complete, it will start to deplete the battery acid by electrolysis.  The battery will eventually be damaged if the acid level gets too low.

The net of this is that you can charge the battery with your 2 amp charger or use a much higher capacity charger.  You probably don't want to leave the battery on a higher capacity charger indefinitely.
Title: Re: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: GS Paul on April 12, 2013, 03:34:01 PM
Thanks. Good to know I didn't mess up the battery or make a foolish purchase...

Cheers
Title: Re: WILL THIS 2amp CHARGER KILL MY BATTERY??
Post by: Suzuki Stevo on April 13, 2013, 04:45:10 PM
Quote from: GS Paul on April 12, 2013, 03:34:01 PM
Thanks. Good to know I didn't mess up the battery or make a foolish purchase...

Cheers

Just by a Battery Tender Jr and be done with it, I have one for every bike  :thumb:


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