Battery charger

[Jay313]

Likely a stupid question from a bike newbie, but here goes:

Does everyone here own a trickle charger for their battery? How often do you charge it?

My biker buddy (who's more than a little anal) charges his battery every week. That seems like overkill to me, and probably does more harm than good, but I'm really not sure how often it needs to be done. Opinions? Feedback?

[Deno]

I have a Battery Tender Plus. I usually charge the batteries on the bikes about once every 4-6 weeks. The little pigtails they have that connect to the battery make it very easy. Thought I was going to have to replace my battery about 1-1/2 years ago, but so far it is working out fine this way.

[cyclesinct]

I only use mine during the winter. Once I've set the bike up to be stored for the winter, I just plug in the battery tender and wait for spring. During the riding season, I take my bike out a few times a week so I've never worried about hooking the battery up. I suppose if you're not going to ride for weeks then it couldn't hurt to plug it in, but I don't use one at all during the riding season and have no battery issues *knock on wood*

[KD57]

Originally Posted by Deno

I have a Battery Tender Plus. I usually charge the batteries on the bikes about once every 4-6 weeks. The little pigtails they have that connect to the battery make it very easy. Thought I was going to have to replace my battery about 1-1/2 years ago, but so far it is working out fine this way.

[battypup]

I have only owned my bike for a year and a half. I have never put it on a charger. I am lucky though I get to ride year round. The longest I have gone with out at least a short ride is 2 weeks maybe 3 and I haven't had any issues with my battery.

[Clint]

There's absolutely no reason to charge a healthy battery during the season if you're riding at least every week or two. My stock battery is going into its sixth full season with no signs of weakness. I keep it in my unheated shed on a tender during the winter.

[Jay313]

So, basically, if I'm riding regularly, there's no need to worry about charging it? Or should I charge once every month or two just for maintenance?

[cyclesinct]

If you're riding regularly then you shouldn't have to worry about dropping it on a charger. You don't charge a car battery every time your not using the car, you can use the same concept with a bike. You should be fine if you ride regularly and don't hook it to a charger. That being said, as long as you use a charger than can disable itself automatically when a battery is fully charged I don't believe you'd cause any harm to it if you wanted to plug it in every once in awhile, just make sure you get one that regulates itself.

[ORBrit]

I used to have one on my old Rebel, but not on my new bike.

[ranger04]

I only have my battery on a charger in the winter because it sits for couple of months untouched. Once riding season starts it wont see a charger again until winter. If you reguarly ride then you do not need a charger, but if its gonna be sitting for a long period of time-month or so- then put it on a charger, and make sure its a trickle charger that shuts off when charged up all the way

[MikeHump]

As long as you're riding the bike you shouldn't need to charge the battery. The alternator charges the battery quite well (after all, that's one of the two reason's the engine has an alternator). If you find your battery dying when you don't ride the bike for a couple weeks, it might be time for a new battery, or time to check for some parasitic draws. However, since you have a 2007 bike, you shouldn't need a new battery any time soon.

[Jay313]

Yes, I am completely ignorant. Wasn't aware the bike had an alternator. Guess I'm looking for a big old belt like on a car. Someone enlighten me. Where is the alternator?

[Clint]

It's actually called a generator on a bike, though I'm not clear on the distinction. It's on the side of the engine, usually behind one of the round covers.

[Rickster]

I can't speak to all bikes, but on some the starter serves double duty. After the bike starts, a bendex of some sort disconects it from turning the motor over, and it becomes your charging unit alternator/generator/whatever.

[frostbitevinnie]

Keep mine on a tender all winter. Never heard of anyone keeping it on a charger during riding season. Bad crack I suppose.

[B-Rex]

Did I hear someone call for Mr. Science?

Basically, the difference between an alternator and a generator are the "types" of electricity they produce internally. Without getting too nerdy:

What we call a "generator" is generally thought of as producing "DC" or direct current....meaning that it produces power steadily with a constant polarity (i.e., positive and negative).

An alternator produces alternating current (AC)...meaning that a particular output alternates between positive and negative (this is an ovesimplification as I'm leaving out the phases....but it's easier to explain this way).

The bottom line is this general axiom:

An alternator is usually lighter, stronger and more efficient than a generator. It uses solid-state diodes (electronic one-way valves) to eventually produce a DC current to charge batteries and run the electrical system.

A generator uses a mechanical "commutator" to output DC and is therefore. heavier, less durable and more complex.

The truth of the matter is that the electro-magnetic portion of both the alternator and generator is essentially the same...the difference lies in the commutator and the built-in diodes.....both in the end produce DC current for motorcycle/automotive electrical systems.

B-Rex

[frostbitevinnie]

Thanks Mr. Science!!

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by B-Rex

Did I hear someone call for Mr. Science?

Basically, the difference between an alternator and a generator are the "types" of electricity they produce internally. Without getting too nerdy:

What we call a "generator" is generally thought of as producing "DC" or direct current....meaning that it produces power steadily with a constant polarity (i.e., positive and negative).

An alternator produces alternating current (AC)...meaning that a particular output alternates between positive and negative (this is an ovesimplification as I'm leaving out the phases....but it's easier to explain this way).

The bottom line is this general axiom:

An alternator is usually lighter, stronger and more efficient than a generator. It uses solid-state diodes (electronic one-way valves) to eventually produce a DC current to charge batteries and run the electrical system.

A generator uses a mechanical "commutator" to output DC and is therefore. heavier, less durable and more complex.

The truth of the matter is that the electro-magnetic portion of both the alternator and generator is essentially the same...the difference lies in the commutator and the built-in diodes.....both in the end produce DC current for motorcycle/automotive electrical systems.

B-Rex

Where's the episode where we get to dip something in liquid nitrogen and break it?!

[Clint]

Thanks, Rex!

[B-Rex]

LOL....you're welcome....and I'm sorry if I put anyone to sleep.

As far as liquid N is concerned....it's awesome for dipping chocolate covered bananas in. Just don't eat it until you carefully put it in the freezer and leave it there for at least a few hours. Otherwise you won't have any tongue or lips.


B-Rex