Trickle Charger....YOU NEED ONE!!!

[bc33zy]

So, I got my bike 3 weeks ago. I was a good boy and left it in the garage while I went out and got registered, took the MSF course, and got some insurance (btw, call up Pete @ Farmer's Insurance...(714)523-7860...he'll give you the lowest rates).

Anyhow, I tried to start up my bike today, and it just wouldn't turn over. Battery Dead. People who knew told me to either get a new battery, or get a trickle charger (jump-starting from a car is no good, from what they tell me).

For an example of a trickle charger: http://www.bridgwater-electronics.co...le+Charger.php

From one of my trusty motorcycle repair sites:
"A battery will loose 1% of its charge per day just sitting there doing nothing. So you can see that you just can't park it, walk away, and come back in 4 or 5 months and expect it to work. Amazingly some of them do work after that kind of abuse, but a greater number of them don't. The cure? Trickle charge the battery at least once a month.

I have found that it is best to use a 1 Amp or smaller trickle charger. Most motorcycle batteries are small and just can't take the high rate of charge that a 6 or 10 Amp charger gives. A general rule of thumb is that a battery should not be charged at more than 1/20 its rated capacity. As you can see, even a big motorcycle battery is maxed out by a 2 Amp charger. The battery should be charged till it is gassing (bubbling) freely, but then stop, don't boil all your water out! The temperature of a battery must not go over 112 degrees. If it does, the battery may be ruined. If the electrolite is below the plates add distilled water till the plates are covered and/or to the top of the fill line. Always unplug the charger before removing the leads from the battery and keep the battery away from flames and sparks. Remember all that gassing in the battery is producing Oxyhydrogen Gas. This can and will EXPLODE the battery, covering you with acid which will burn you like you will not believe. Baking soda will neutralize battery acid and water will rinse it off and dilute it. Mixing baking soda and water together works great. You can use it anywhere on the bike or yourself to remove battery acid. Keep lots of both on hand."

[FizzFez]

ROFL thnx so much, I've been wondering the exact same thing...

Left my fizzer garaged for bout 5 months now with out a trick charger

[cbrsmurf]

A trickle charger is very useful, especially on bike batteries which are so weak sauce.

Buymoto will probably have the lowest price for a trickle charger.

[afrothunder]

haha. good advertising jeff.

[cbrsmurf]

haha, stop online stalking me

[bc33zy]

i couldnt' find it on their website. anyone know of a cheap/reliable brand?

Originally Posted by cbrsmurf

A trickle charger is very useful, especially on bike batteries which are so weak sauce.

Buymoto will probably have the lowest price for a trickle charger.

[cbrsmurf]

YUASA 12 volt 1.5A charger = $40
YUASA 12 volt 900mA charge = $25
Battery Tender Jr = $40
Battery Tender Plus $50
Parts Unlimited Charger = $12

[melonheadR6]

Originally Posted by cbrsmurf

YUASA 12 volt 1.5A charger = $40
YUASA 12 volt 900mA charge = $25
Battery Tender Jr = $40
Battery Tender Plus $50
Parts Unlimited Charger = $12

i'll take whatever is cheap and will work for my R6. you got a sale from your slick advertising.

[Amish Marauder]

you can jump off a car with no ill effects. in a pinch you can use speaker wire from the car battery to the bike battery. I carry about 6 feet of speaker wire on my bike just incase. look at it this way...how often do you really need a jump? most likely not often at all. jump it off a car or truck then run it on the free way for about 10 miles or so..the longer the better. battery charged.

I do agree that if the bike sits a lot then a trickle charger is the way to go without a doubt!

oh yeah...most times you can pop start it anyway.."most times" if the battery is completely drained then it might not even popstart.