Motorcycle Battery Basics

Basically, a battery, in concept, can be any device that stores energy for later use. Even a rock, pushed to the top of a hill, can be considered a kind of battery, since the energy used to push it up the hill (chemical energy, from muscles or a combustion engine) is converted and stored as potential kinetic energy at the top of the hill. Later, that energy is released as kinetic and thermal energy, when the rock rolls down the hill (hitting your riding buddy in the head of course). So in theory at least, that rock you just ran over and launched at him is a battery. With your help, of course.

In general, lower charge rates will extend the overall life of your lead-acid battery. A battery can be damaged or de-graded if too much charge is administered at once. For lead acid batteries, a variety of slow, or trickle chargers are also available. Trickle chargers are generally insufficient to fully charge a dead battery. They are usually only applied after a battery is fully charged (using a greater charge rate) to help offset the self-discharge rate of the battery. Rather than simply leave your machine sitting in the garage, attaching a trickle charger can keep it up to par, without the slow discharge that any lead-acid battery will suffer from over time. Batteries on a trickle charger will maintain their full charge for months at a time. It is usually recommended that batteries on a trickle charger be fully discharged and recharged once every 6 to 12 months.

When a battery is in the final stages of charging, the current must be reduced to prevent damage to the battery. Many chargers offer current-limiting devices that will shut off or reduce the applied current when the battery reaches a certain percent of its charged potential. Slow charge rates are the most-often recommended charge rate, since a battery can be recharged in less than a day, without significantly damaging or degrading the battery.

Slow charge rates can be applied to a battery for an indefinite period of time, meaning that the battery can be connected to the charger for days or weeks with no need for special shut- off or current-limiting equipment on the charger. The key issue in charging a battery is knowing when to stop charging. That is the value of using a trickle or "Battery Tender" style charger. They have current- limiters built into them, that will slowly reduce the current as the battery is charged.

CHARGING & MAINTAINING LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

Constant potential charging, with current limiting, is usually recommended for sealed lead-acid cells. Due to the sloping voltage profile of a lead-acid battery, the voltage of the battery is a reliable indicator of its state of charge. In modern practice, current limiting is accomplished with integrated circuits on most lead-acid battery chargers.Battery maintenance is also an important issue. The battery on your off road vehicle should be cleaned using a baking soda and water solution; simply add a couple of table spoons of baking soda to a pint of water. All the cable connections need to be cleaned and tightened, as battery problems are often caused by dirty and loose connections.

A serviceable battery needs to have the fluid level checked. Make sure you use only mineral free water, Distilled is best, as all impurities have been removed, and there is nothing in it that could contaminate your cells. Don't overfill battery cells, especially in warmer weather, because the natural fluid expansion in hot weather can push excess electrolytes from the battery.

To prevent corrosion of cables on most top post lead-acid batteries, use a small bead of silicone sealer at the base of the post, and place a felt battery washer over it. Coat the washer with petroleum jelly (Vaseline), and then place the cable on the post and tighten. Coat the exposed cable end with the grease.

BATTERY TESTING

Battery Testing can be done in more than one way. The most accurate method is measurement of specific gravity and battery voltage. To measure specific gravity, buy a temperature compensating hydrometer, available at most auto parts stores. You will also need to measure voltage, using a digital D.C. Voltmeter. A quality load tester can be purchased, if you need to test sealed batteries.

Before you do any tests, you must first fully charge the battery, and then remove the surface charge. If the battery has been sitting several hours , you may begin testing. To remove the surface charge, the battery must be discharged for several minutes. A good trick for this is to use a headlight (set on high beam). That will do the trick. After turning off the light, you are ready to test the battery.

Amazingly, 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. The causes of sulfation are numerous, but undercharging the battery, high heat, low electrolyte levels, and the lack of a energy minder, or Battery Tender, when not in use, are primary culprits.

NEW AGE BATTERY TECH

Another new battery technology, that is fast gaining in acceptance among recreational vehicle users, are Lithium-based batteries. These are ultra-lightweight and offer increased cranking power for the money. They also have two to four times the life span of conventional lead-acid batteries, so we can easily see why they are becoming popular with motorsport enthusiasts in these cost crunching times.

SHORAI LITHIUM-IRON BATTERIES

Pronounced "show-rye", the [mageProductLink sku="388-0001" title="Shorai LFX Lithium Battery"]Shorai LFX eXtreme Rate batteries[/mageProductLink] are the latest generation lithium-based batteries on the marketplace. These new age powersport batteries offer one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect, and a slow loss of charge when not in use. Lithium based batteries have been growing in popularity over the last few years. They are used for everything from military use, to electric vehicles, and even in aerospace, primarily due to their high energy density, light weight, and faster recycle times.

Shorai LFX batteries contain Lithium Iron prismatic cells, which contain no poisonous lead, no dangerous acid, and do not create explosive gasses during charge, as traditional lead-acid batteries can. When compared to lead-acid batteries, the Shorai LFX lithium batteries are also extremely lightweight, weighing almost 1/5 of what a conventional lead-acid battery does. They also have much lower self-discharge, do not sulfate, and are environmentally friendly.

Another handy thing with these batteries is their easy fitment. The Shorai LFX lithium batteries either offer a perfect drop-in fit, for many vehicles, or you can use the high-density, adhesive-backed foam shims that are included in the package to get a precise, snug fit for most any battery size. These shims are easy to install and can be applied to your vehicles battery box in a few minutes, to insure a perfect fit.

Cost-wise, they are comparably priced to most replacement OEM batteries, so you get a substantial savings in weight, with improved performance, and get two to four times the longevity of a conventional lead-acid based battery.

BATTERY SAFETY TIPS!

*DO NOT: Let batteries sit too long between charges. As little as 24 hours in hot weather and several days in cooler weather can affect your battery life.
*DO NOT : Forget to make sure your battery is stored using some type of energy input.
*DO NOT: "Deep cycle" an engine starting battery. Remember these batteries can't stand deep discharge.
*DO NOT: Undercharge a battery to only 90% of capacity, as this will allow sulfation of the battery using the 10% of battery chemistry not reactivated by the incompleted charging cycle.
*DO NOT: Incure heat of 100 plus F., as this increases internal discharge. As temperatures increase so does internal discharge.
*DO NOT: Allow low electrolyte level - battery plates exposed to air will immediately sulfate.
*DO NOT : Use incorrect charging levels and settings. Most cheap battery chargers can do more harm than good. Get a good unit, like a Battery Tender, or other name brand. See Chaparral catalog.
*DO NOT: Use unregulated high output battery chargers to charge batteries.
*DO NOT: Disconnect battery cables while the engine is running (your battery acts as a filter).
*DO NOT: Put off recharging batteries.
*DO NOT: Add tap water as it may contain minerals that will contaminate the electrolyte.
*DO NOT: Discharge a battery any deeper than you have to
*DO NOT: Let a battery get hot to the touch and boil violently when charging.
ALSO:

* Be aware of "Parasitic drain" which is a load put on a battery with the key off. Most vehicles have clocks, engine management computers, etc. These can drain even a fully charged battery over time.
* Batteries made from lead (or other heavy metals) can be very large and heavy and can cause damage to equipment if improperly handled. Make sure you install them according to manufacturers directions.
* When using lithium batteries, a "Lith-X" or D-Class fire extinguisher should always be available. Water-based extinguishers must not be used on lithium of any kind, since water will react with lithium and release large amounts of explosive hydrogen.
* Vented batteries must be properly ventilated. Inadequate ventilation may result in the build up of volatile gases, which may result in an explosion or asphyxiation.
* Do not attempt to solder directly onto a terminal of the battery. Attempting to do so can damage the seal or the safety vent.