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Author Topic: Charging Amps  (Read 3029 times)

Offline aspire61

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Charging Amps
« on: December 06, 2012, 10:55:03 PM »
Hi all:

Now that my bike is asleep for the winter, and i have nothing better to do than follow this forum, i have a question regarding the charging of the battery. In winter, I always pull my battery from my bikes to clean them up, inspect and refill the cells with distilled water and charge them once a month. I realize the concours has a sealed battery, but its like tradition- I just enjoy doing it. I'm not a battery tender (or a K & N) kind of guy. But my question is - why does the manual state the battery shouldn't be charged more than 10% of the AH rating. It seems to me when you're flying down the highway with just the basic accessories, you probably have more than 20 amps going through your battery anyway, so what harm can a 2 or 3 amp charge do?

curious- mat
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Offline pistole

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2012, 11:33:54 PM »
- the charging output of the alternator is regulated.

.
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2012, 04:40:59 AM »
Why not just buy a tender and not worry about it? They're relatively inexpensive.
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Offline Pokey

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2012, 07:21:18 AM »
You need to become a battery tender kind of guy.  ;)
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Offline fmwhit

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2012, 07:53:14 AM »
Once the battery is charged why would you want to continue to force current thru it boiling off the electrolyte?  And why would you want to charge it at higher rate than necessary.  A battery tender brings the battery to full charge  than floats until the battery falls below a certain point and than with low level current returns it to a full charge.  Smart Chargers are the way to go.  It doesn't have to be the Battery Tender brand as there are many good units available for abt $20-40.
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Offline jonathan

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2012, 08:52:57 AM »
Watch for the Canadian Tire sales. I picked up a couple of intelligent chargers for half price.
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Offline aspire61

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2012, 10:38:19 PM »
its really not a question of money- i'm just not convinced the battery tender hysteria is the be all and end all of battery care. My last bike had the original battery after 6 seasons- still running fine with no issues. A friend of mine uses a battery tender- same story- still running fine with no issues after six seasons. I was just after a little clarity on the charging rate. Everyone "says" not to charge at 2 or 3 amps- but .....

mat
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2012, 06:10:37 AM »
Quote from: aspire61 on December 07, 2012, 10:38:19 PM
its really not a question of money- i'm just not convinced the battery tender hysteria is the be all and end all of battery care. My last bike had the original battery after 6 seasons- still running fine with no issues. A friend of mine uses a battery tender- same story- still running fine with no issues after six seasons. I was just after a little clarity on the charging rate. Everyone "says" not to charge at 2 or 3 amps- but .....

mat

Hysteria? Do we sound hysterical? Do what you want.

"But my question is - why does the manual state the battery shouldn't be charged more than 10% of the AH rating. It seems to me when you're flying down the highway with just the basic accessories, you probably have more than 20 amps going through your battery anyway, so what harm can a 2 or 3 amp charge do?"

Exactly, what's the worst that could happen?    :o
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2012, 07:17:19 AM »
Quote from: aspire61 on December 07, 2012, 10:38:19 PM
its really not a question of money- i'm just not convinced the battery tender hysteria is the be all and end all of battery care.

It is effective, cheap, and convenient.  That is why it is popular.

Quote
My last bike had the original battery after 6 seasons- still running fine with no issues. A friend of mine uses a battery tender- same story- still running fine with no issues after six seasons.

Under the right conditions, you can do NOTHING to the battery and have it last 6 years.  Or you can do everything possible and have it die in 2.

Quote
I was just after a little clarity on the charging rate. Everyone "says" not to charge at 2 or 3 amps- but .....

There is nothing wrong with charging using 2 or 3 amps-  AS LONG AS YOU KNOW EXACTLY when to disconnect it such that there is no overcharging.  With typical/normal chargers, that is very difficult to do.  And most lay people would treat the tiny motorcycle battery the same as a huge car battery that can handle many times the charge.

Lead acid batteries are happiest and live the longest when they are kept at full charge, charged at lower rates, charged with voltages and current that vary depending on charge state, and never overcharged.  A smart battery tender can do just that, a "dumb" charger cannot.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2012, 03:05:22 PM »
I just ride mine to charge it...
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Offline pistole

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Re: Charging Amps
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2012, 01:39:45 AM »
Quote from: VirginiaJim on December 10, 2012, 03:05:22 PM
I just ride mine to charge it...

- same here !

.
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