Obba
Expert Class
Posts: 455
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posted May 05, 2010 01:42 PM
Battery top up tip for longer laster.
Not here to teach anyone to suck eggs.
But i read a bit on this site about battery issues.
All lead acid batterys (and particulay the SLA's), will sulfate when not being charged.
AKAIK No sulfation can (chemically occur), when under charge.
Therefore bikes that aren't used 'a lot' will go through more batterys.
Battery life also depends on temp as well.
IMO - and one i have used very sucessfully for years and now virtually everyone i know does as well, is to get a small solar panel (or big if you have cloudy weather, shade or money), that will give out at least 1-2amps @ 12volts.
Get a small solar regulator max 5amps (Don't go bigger to 20amps as they don't start to 'work' properly until about mid range). So you want somehting that is happy at 2amps etc.
Any lower amperage won't be able to send a charge into the battery. All batterys have an 'internal' resistance (approx 2-3%), that must be overcome before it starts to charge.
The reg will stop charging when fully charged. But when the battery level drops (maybe in even 4-5 hours), it is topped up automatically.
This 'trickle' charging (as long as it's not under excessive amps and the fact that i'm only recommending 1-2amps), will not damage the battery in anyway.
And depending on how low the battery is the regulator will look after everything automatically.
The reg will always keep the battery topped up and will increase the life of the battery significantly.
I extended my battery terminal by cable (anderson connection), to the reg. And unplug the bike to ride and plug back in when when stored.
I use solar instead of a dedicated battery charger/trickle function as the solar regulators are much more better designed to look after batterys longterm than most off the shelf battery chargers with trickle function.
If you're clever, connect up a 5amp VU meter and a 12volt meter and you will see how the regulator is looking after the battery.
Plus once installed it frees up the normal battery charger and it's free to run, giving you that nice warm fuzzy feeling 
  
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted May 05, 2010 11:07 PM
Very interesting... I'm glad about you not teaching us to suck eggs too lol ! 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted May 06, 2010 03:03 AM
The Optimate battery charger is popular in the UK.
http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010003.html
I use one on my 14 which is four years old this month and still on its first battery.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Obba
Expert Class
Posts: 455
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posted May 06, 2010 11:18 PM
Yeah BOBc, that looks like a nice unit.
I've gone through a few "genius" chargers. But that one looks pretty new hi tech.
Not intending to bump the post up, but another tip is to find a broken/smashed 80W 12v panel - most message board companys chuck em. Yet they will kick out 1-2 amps quite happly
So, looks like Brown is out eh? News 'down under' say's he's tryign to do a deal with the libs... Lived in Manchester for 20years. I'm glad to be out...
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