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Motorcycle Battery Charging?
Got a 12V 4Ah battery for a motorcycle. On the specifications list, it says 'Maximum charging rate: 0.5 Amp'. I only have a 1.25amp motorcycle battery charger, is it suitable to use on this or should I refrain from using it to avoid damage? Should I purchase a trickle charger instead, that charges at an output of 500ma (0.5amp)? As I'm not sure wether the maximum charge rate is how much it can handle, or the rate it charges at. Thanks!
2 Answers
- ?Lv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
The maximum charge rate for a battery is ~10% of its Amp-hour rating. 0.5A is, in real terms, right on the upper limit for the battery. Indeed, a smaller motorcycle battery will radiate heat more quickly than a large battery, so they can take a tiny bit more charging abuse.
Batteries are charged at the current set by the charger - your 1.25A charger will charge AT 1.25A and will therefore deliver a little bit too much current. The risk is overheating (risk of pressure-build from excess hydrogen in the battery), risk of evaporation of electrolyte, risk of overheating and deforming of the plates, ultimately a risk of internally shorting the battery if the plates manage to buckle enough to make contact in one of the cells. 1.25A, however, isn't enough to do all this to a battery - but it is enough to put the battery's service life into question and certainly enough to void the warranty.
My best advice? Don't use a battery charger, don't use a trickle charge manager. I firmly believe they shorten a battery's life. Obviously the vendors of such items will angrily disagree with me but they would. I own and run two bikes. I DO NOT own a battery charger. If you're taking your bike down for winter (I don't by the way), then remove the battery as fully charged by a good run on the bike and keep it nice and warm and dry in a cupboard in your house. A decent battery will still be good in March. If it isn't, then it wasn't so decent.If you do buy a charger, then only charge the battery every two months for a night, don't leave it connected up.
- ANDYLv 78 years ago
Hello
If it states Max 0.5 Amp and you charge at 1.25 Amp that would be like putting 2.25 X the recommended pressure in your tyres. Get one that trickles at 0.5 Amp.
Andy C