lots of info about batteries and maintenance

[hootmon]

Motorcycle Battery Maintenance Tip of the Week from Cruiser Customizing

Kyle Bradshaw of Cruiser Customizing talks about the reasons our motorcycle batteries fail, and what we can do to extend the life of our batteries.
Watch the Video Battery Maintenance Tip of the Week

http://community.cruisercustomizing.com/_Motorcycle-Battery-Maintenance-Tip-of-the-Week-from-Cruiser-Customizing/video/557005/22960.html

Did you know the life span of an average motorcycle battery is on 12 to 24 months?!
Only 30% of batteries sold today reach the 48-month mark. In fact 80% of all battery failure is related to sulfation build-up. This build up occurs when the sulfur molecules in the electrolyte (battery acid) become so deeply discharged that they begin to coat the battery's lead plates. Before long the plates become so coated that the battery dies.
Sulfation of Batteries starts when specific gravity falls below 1.225 or voltage measures less than 12.4 (12v Battery) or 6.2 (6 volt battery). Sulfation hardens the battery plates reducing and eventually destroying the ability of the battery to generate Volts and Amps.


State of ChargeSpecific GravityVoltage

12V 6V 100% 1.265 12.7 6.3 *75% 1.225 12.4 6.2 50% 1.190 12.2 6.1 25% 1.155 12.0 6.0 Discharged 1.120 11.9 6.0


The causes of sulfation are numerous. Below are several common causes of battery sulfation:


Batteries sit too long between charges. As little as 24 hours in hot weather and several days in cooler weather.
Battery is stored without some type of energy input.
"Deep cycling" an engine starting battery. Remember these batteries can't stand deep discharge.
Undercharging of a battery, to charge a battery (lets say) to 90% of capacity will allow sulfation of the battery using the 10% of battery chemistry not reactivated by the incomplete charging cycle.
Heat of 100 plus F., increases internal discharge. As temperatures increase so does internal discharge. A new fully charged battery left sitting 24 hours a day at 110 degrees F for 30 days would most likely not start an engine.
Low electrolyte level - battery plates exposed to air will immediately sulfate.
Incorrect charging levels and settings. Most cheap battery chargers can do more harm than good. See the section on battery charging.
Cold weather is also hard on the battery. The chemistry does not make the same amount of energy as a warm battery. A deeply discharged battery can freeze solid in sub zero weather.
Parasitic drain is a load put on a battery with the key off. More info on parasitic drain will follow in this document.
Aside from Sulfation, Parasitic Drain another common battery destroyer! What is parasitic drain?


Parasitic drain is a load put on a battery with the key in the OFF position. Most of todays motorcycles come from the factory with clocks, engine management computers, alarm systems, etc. And what do we do when we get our motorcycles home? We Accessorize them! We add radios, GPS, and all other sorts of gadgets. These devices may all be operating without the engine running. You may have parasitic loads caused by a short in the electrical system. If you are always having dead battery problems most likely the parasitic drain is excessive. The constant low or dead battery caused by excessive parasitic energy drain will dramatically shorten battery life.


It is recommended you must put back the energy you use from your battery immediately! Charging or refilling your battery is important, and is best done using Smart Chargers such as Battery Tenders and PuseTech Xtreme Chargers are the best way to accomplish this task.


You don't find these types of chargers in most auto parts stores!


Battery Tender has been in the business of battery maintenance for over 44 years! Battery Tender is the Official Charger of Both Harley Davidson as well as BMW.


The first step of a Smart Charger such as a Battery Tender is bulk charging where up to 80% of the battery energy capacity is replaced by the charger at the maximum voltage and current amp rating of the charger.


When the battery voltage reaches 14.4 volts this begins the absorption chargestep. This is where the voltage is held at a constant 14.4 volts and the current (amps) declines until the battery is 98% charged.


Next comes the Float Step. This is a regulated voltage of not more than 13.4 volts and usually less than 1 amp of current. This in time will bring the battery to 100% charged or close to it. The float charge will not boil or heat batteries but will maintain the batteries at 100% readiness and prevent cycling during long term inactivity.


PulseTech takes battery maintenance to the next level with their 5 Stage Charging system.



PulseTech Xtreme Charger


Stage 1 - Charge Evaluation / Test and Initalization



Stage 2 - Bulk Charge


Stage 3 - Absorption and Saturation Charge


Stage 4 - Variable Float Maintenance Charge


Stage 5 - Continually PULSE Charges to minimize the size of lead sulfate crystals

Both Kuryakyn and Show Chrome Accessories offer ways to monitor your battery while on the road and between charges.

I hope this Cruiser Customizing Tip of the Week has been beneficial for you!
Until next week, take care and ride safe!
Kyle Bradshaw
aka: manybikes
Credits: Statistical data was gleaned from www.BatteryStuff.com

[TLRam1]

Nice writeup Hoot so your pen name is Kyle Bradshaw AKA manybikes. What happened to Florida Flash AKA Seafoam? 

[hootmon]

Nice writeup Hoot so your pen name is Kyle Bradshaw AKA manybikes. What happened to Florida Flash AKA Seafoam? 

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