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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
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Message started by alcoa on 04/03/09 at 13:28:34

Title: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by alcoa on 04/03/09 at 13:28:34

I am not going to take my battery out next winter, so what kind of a float charger with pig tails should I buy and where?

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by thumperclone on 04/03/09 at 13:41:37

i just go out and start er up every 10 days or so & get the oil up to temp

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by Skid Mark on 04/03/09 at 15:21:28

It's got to 30- 40 below for 2 weeks at a time this winter just gone by. Once if warmed up to arounfd freezing I fired her up and let run for 15 minutes. Haven't had any problems so far.

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by nhgader on 04/06/09 at 16:32:09

I live in NH and tried to fire my bike up every so often. Unfortunately, it was a no go by January. I bought a Battery Tender Junior, left it to charge for a few days and had no problem starting. For me, it was worth the peace of mind.

Kim

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by Dj12midnit on 04/06/09 at 17:08:24

You might consider the Big Crank it will last longer in the cold months.

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by Oldfeller on 04/07/09 at 03:26:55

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1224420945/6#6

has one method of quick connecting an inexpensive float charger.

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by PTRider on 04/09/09 at 16:18:11

Any trickle charger in the 1 amp range. I like the Battery Minder Plus (http://www.pacificbattery.com/batteryminder.html); I feel that desulfation works. There is always an on going debate about desulfation among some folks, but it seems to extend the life of batteries I've used it on, and seems to keep them closer to new-capacity longer. Of course, this takes years to measure, but I'm sticking to it.

A fully charged lead acid battery freezes at about -65°F. A discharged battery freezes easily. A frozen battery is junk and cannot be rejuvenated. Batteries self-discharge:
Quote:

Lead-Antimony Batteries:
Antimony is used as a stiffener in the grids of lead plates of deep cycle batteries. While antimony makes the plates stronger, it also causes battery cells to self-discharge more rapidly. Self-discharge is a deleterious discharge because it creates a hard lead sulfate that crystallizes and ultimately destroys the battery.

The only way to avoid self-discharge is to keep lead-antimony batteries on a charger when not in use. Self-discharge lessens as temperatures decline, so if it's cold enough, then a full time charge isn't necessary. Be sure to do a full charge at least once a month in very cold weather, and every two weeks if it gets above freezing.

Lead-Calcium Batteries:
Batteries made with lead-calcium plates, such as the so-called maintenance free types, have low self-discharge as long as the weather isn't too warm. These batteries can be left fully charged for several months without experiencing sulfation. It is good to bring them to a full charge a couple of times during the winter.
http://www.amplepower.com/primer/winter/index.html

Title: Re: NOT AGAIN NEXT WINTER
Post by Staplebox on 04/09/09 at 20:22:01

4F411A1946424F45425F2B0 wrote:

You might consider the Big Crank it will last longer in the cold months.

I've got the Big Crank. Left it alone all winter and it had plenty of juice to get her started a few weeks ago. Pre-winter I just add Seafoam to 1/2 a tank or less of gas and run it through the carb. Then cover with a tarp.