Trickle charging

[loply]

Hi folks,

How long should I charge my (flat) battery for on a slow charger?

Also, I take it i just connect the leads to the right battery terminals, dont need to do anything else?

[map]

Suggested charge times are given on the back of an optimate box.
If I remember right toureres are 20 hours, sports bikes around 16 hours.
If it's an Optimate charger would suggest just sticking it on for 24 hours as it'll do no damage if left connected.

Just connect to the battery terminals +ve lead to +ve and -ve lead to -ve and then switch it on.

DO NOT be tempted to use a car charger, it'll fry the battery.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[ProXimaCore]

I usually just leave it overnight. 12 hours should be more than enough. Maybe 6 hours would do.

Make sure you disconnect the battery from the bike before you start to charge it up or it won't do anything.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[map]

[ProXimaCore]

Well there you go!
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[loply]

Hmm I have connected the charger but havent disconnected the battery.

There is no alarm, clock or anything on the bike.

Is it definately neccessary to disconnect the battery?

If its of any relevance to the question; The charger came with leads advertised as "convenience leads - No need to remove plastics" as you can connect them to battery and hang them out of the fairing somewhere.

[loply]

Btw no it isnt an optimate charger, £10 off ebay its just a black plug/transformer with leads.

[ProXimaCore]

I'd say if you're not sure, then just disconnect it. It takes 2 seconds.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[stryker]

No you do not need to disconnect the battery.
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Now what?

[alains]

to everyone . it's higly dangerous (especially with electronics) to put a battery in charge without disconnecting at least the ground .
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the worst day fishing is better than the best day working

[Jaz]

The optimate says that you only need to remove the battery if it's fully discharched before charging.

Otherwise you just use the permanantly mounted kit that comes with it.

[alains]

trust me , that was my job !!!
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the worst day fishing is better than the best day working

[mchaggis]

[alains]

no problem with a car charger , the pnly thing to watch is the intensity of the charge . the maximum should be 10% of the capacity
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the worst day fishing is better than the best day working

[map]

[baldy]

What happens if your battery will only charge up with the terminals reversed?
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

[stryker]

[stryker]

[pipnet11]

To charge my batteries I simply put a 13V 200mA supply onto the battery and leave it till the current drops to 0(ish), when everything is equal it must be fully charged, assuming that the batteries in good condition that is.
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I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves

[stryker]

A fully charged 12v battery should read about 13.4 volts.
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Now what?

[irish]

why is it nessary to charge the battery on bikes should they not charge them self's

[stryker]

For starters bike batteries are small owing to a lack of room so only average around 1/3 to 1/4 of a car's battery.

Secondly, the altenator on many bikes is pretty piddly to say the least. EG mine on my FZR600 does not produce its full potential till I hit 5000RPM. I ride my bike pretty gently so round town I'd not be surprised if my battery fairs pretty badly.

Also, if your bike has an alarm the little bike battery cannot support the alarm as long as a car battery would.... only a few days with some.

Maybe someone else will think of some more reasons.

HTH.
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Now what?

[map]