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Message started by rl153 on 10/20/09 at 10:22:58

Title: Battery charge
Post by rl153 on 10/20/09 at 10:22:58

I've been charging my battery .When I first took it off the bike it was reading 12.25 volts . I charged it with a 1 amp charger for 15 hours .Right after it read 13.5 volts . Two hours later it read 12.6 volts .Now today ,4 days later it reads 12.4 volts .It shouldn't lose it's charge that fast ,I dont think ,it's less than 2 years old .Does this mean I just didn't charge it enough ,or do I need a new battery ? The fluid level is ok.Thanks

Title: Re: Battery charge
Post by dinsdale on 10/20/09 at 11:40:36

Check the battery fluid level.

Title: Re: Battery charge
Post by thumperclone on 10/21/09 at 01:49:17

think i saw a discharge chart posted here some time ago.
you may try to google "battery discharge rates" me thinks your battery is okay

Title: Re: Battery charge
Post by Routy on 10/21/09 at 04:26:43

Voltage State of Charge
12.6+ 100%
12.5 90%
12.42 80%
12.32 70%
12.20 60%
12.06 50%
11.9 40%
11.75 30%
11.58 20%
11.31 10%
10.5 0%

The standing voltage for any good condition... fully charged liquid lead acid battery is 12.6-7
Any voltage above that means that you are seeing a "surface charge" after charging. Any voltage below that, means that either there is still a load on the battery, or the battery is internally sulfated, and may be on borrowed time,......but may be usable yet for quite some time. If the no load voltage falls to 12.3 in a week or less, in my guess-timation, you will need to replace it. Most batteries don't die,....they are murdered, by being under or over charged, or by letting run dry.

After getting a new battery, remember,......
1- that any lead acid battery that is not fully charged, is slowly sulfating. (being murdered)

2- Any battery that is run stone dead, its lifespan has been shortened.

3- Any small battery (motorcycle) should never be charged at more than 1-2 amps.

4- Unless the charger is a genuine "maintainer/float/smart charger", it should not be left connected more than 10 to 15 hrs, depending on SOC. (state of charge)

5- Lead acid batteries will loose 10-20% of their charge each month, therefore should be charged at least once a month.

6- Liquid acid batteries will live the longest if they are kept fully charged at all times,.......most times impossible we know.

Remember, short trips on a motorcycle, is not enough to keep a battery fully charged, therefore should be charged once a month by other means.

A battery that is continuosly connected to a maintainer float type charger, (13.4v max) will last longer than any battery that is not, some as long as 10 yrs. And using a float type charger, the battery won't use much fluid either, check 2-3 times a year.

Title: Re: Battery charge
Post by bill67 on 10/21/09 at 05:31:31

A battery not connected to any type of charger want lose any water in 4-5 months.

Title: Re: Battery charge
Post by Routy on 10/21/09 at 06:43:12

6F6461613B3A0D0 wrote:

A battery not connected to any type of charger want lose any water in 4-5 months.

That is a no brainer fact, but another fact is it won't last as long.

But if a couple 3+ yrs is long enough, then keeping it fully charged need not be a concern.

Title: Re: Battery charge
Post by bill67 on 10/21/09 at 06:46:51

You should do what works for you.