marshall13 wrote on 05/03/09 at 11:17:56:these bikes have alternators, not generators
An alternator
IS a generator, specifically an alternating current generator. You might be thinking of a direct current generator. And, you might be right, I don't know, that the control circuit of these alternators needs to see some voltage in the battery before it'll start putting out.
Quote:most of the chain auto parts stores will charge a battery for you, way cheap, as well as most mechanics shops (cages or bikes)
Be very careful. Most cannot charge at a low enough level to recharge a small battery at a rate that won't shorten its eventual life, about 2 amp
max charging rate. Figure the max safe battery charging rate to ensure a long life of the battery is about 20% of the amp-hour rate. Our batteries are rated at 14 amp-hours (thus the "14" in the battery designation), so 3 amps initial charging rate might be OK.
Quote:...sears, walmart, kmart, and all auto parts stores sell small 10 amp max chargers.... cheap, and most handy... tenders "float charge" and most wont charge a completely discharged battery....
Again, 2 amp max for these small batteries. By "tender" I assume you mean a battery maintainer. The
Battery Tender Jr. is a 3/4-amp full charger plus maintainer, the Battery Tender Plus is a 1-1/4 amp full charger plus maintainer, the
BatteryMINDER Plus is a full 1.3 amp charger plus desulfating maintainer. Any of these will fully charge one of our batteries if we're patient enough and give it time. As you say, depending on the control circuit in the charger, we might need to supply an initial voltage to get the charger going.