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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Battery charging question /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1113924032 Message started by 650-rider on 04/19/05 at 08:20:32 |
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Title: Battery charging question Post by 650-rider on 04/19/05 at 08:20:32 I recently bought a 2002 with low mileage, and I need to charge the battery. I bought a charger from a motorcycle store. The charger comes with the regular alligator clips as one option, and it also has cables that connect permanently to the battery. This uses a sort of quick-connect and I guess you leave the cable inside of the bike’s side covers. I have not had it apart yet. But there’s one thing I don’t understand. I have the Suzuki service manual, and it says that you should never charge the battery while it in the bike. But I wanted to trickle charge the battery all of the time since I only ride only or two days per week. The charger says it is specifically made for this use. So my questions are 1) will it hurt the electrical components of the bike if I charge the battery in place, and 2) is it OK to trickle charge all of the time? If I have to take the battery out of the bike every time I need to charge it that will be a hassle. I have already found out that the battery has to be “up” in order to crank the engine. A marginal battery does not seem to be adequate for this engine. Does anyone have any advice? |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by RadarORiley on 04/19/05 at 08:33:10 I have a 2003 savage and got a Battery Tender for a gift this Christmas. Hubby installed it and I have been very pleased. Can only ride when health permits and have to have the battery up when I am. If that is the type you are talking about, I haven't had any problems with it. Plan to buy one for other bikes when I catch them on sale. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by Ed_L. on 04/19/05 at 10:02:00 You should be fine charging the battery while on the bike. I've been using a trickle charger on my '02 for over a year with no problems. All I did was install a pigtail on the positive lead of the battery and used a 1/2 amp 12 volt power supply that came from Radio Shack. I'm guessing that Suzuki doesn't want the battery charged on the bike in case it blows up. That can happen if you try to overcharge the battery using a high amperage charger. Keep the amps low with a long charge time and you will be fine. There is a formula to determine the proper charge rate for a battery but I've forgotten it, >:(maybe someone out there knows it. Ride Safe, Ed L. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by 650-rider on 04/19/05 at 10:02:47 Thanks for your response - I have the Battery Tender as well. Do you leave it connected to the battery most or all of the time? Thanks. |
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Title: What's wrong with your batteries????!! Post by Russ on 04/19/05 at 13:04:48 I have a 96 i bought used and the previous owner put in a new battery for me. It sat from Nov. to March about 4 months without starting it and the battery in the bike. I went out and fired it up no problem. Why are your batteries draining so quickly??? I'd think a battery should hold a charge for a week. If not I'd spend the money on a new battery and not a trickle charger. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by Susan on 04/19/05 at 15:04:08 I have a trickle charger that I use over the winter -- Battery Tender Junior. During the riding season I don't use it. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by Savage_Rob on 04/19/05 at 16:32:47 Yeah, the only time I've used mine was when I turned the key the wrong way and left the taillight on overnight. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by Ed_L. on 04/19/05 at 19:23:36 "A marginal battery does not seem to be adequate for this engine", Cranking the big single draws a lot of juice out of the battery. If you need to put a charge in the battery before you start the engine your battery is getting weak. A trickle charger will help maintain the charge in the battery during storage but if the battery will not hold a charge then it is time to think about a replacement. Ed L. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by WD on 04/19/05 at 21:18:15 Trickle charger won't hurt it. I've jumped off mine a couple times with an 825 amp truck battery with no problems. I had a Savage battery last 5 years...with winter trickle charge and weekly riding in warm weather. -WD |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by Jazzdude on 04/20/05 at 22:54:54 Savage_Rob wrote:
Been there, done that. Had a dead battery to prove it! I've got the Battery Tender Plus and have no problems with the charger or the battery. I leave the battery on the bike and use the quick-disconnect. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by slavy on 04/20/05 at 23:13:40 Don't forget that a big part of the manuals are written with a concern for lawsuits and warranties/ otherwise nobody will remind You that the gas is flammable/. Suzuki is just covering all the bases to make sure to lower down the risk of any kind of misshaps. Don't worry. The best thing You can do is to attach a nice fat wire to the "+" terminal and use it for charging or for jump. When not in use- just cover the end with wire nut. For ground You can use any metal part of the bike /the best is the cylinder/. All the automotive chargers have 1 or 2 amp setting and 90% of the chargers are automatic, so You will not overcharge the battery. The only down side of charging the battery on the bike that I can think of is that the corosive fumes will be around the bike. |
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Title: Re: Battery charging question Post by WD on 04/20/05 at 23:50:22 Slavy, the worst part of charging the battery in the bike is the fact that you can't pop the cell caps off the way you are supposed to while charging any lead-acid battery. Of course, if the caps are good and the vent hose isn't crimped, there shouldn't be a problem. The fumes will just go out the vent tube like they are supposed to. Oh, wait, it's a Suzuki... ;D Just kidding, I used a battery tender on a GS750T for 3 years off and on without problems. And the GS battery is located even more poorly than the LS battery. -WD |
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