battery charging times

[Jim Hyman]

Mike, You battery charging setup is probably ok, as long as the fluid level is always above the top of the cell's plates and none of the batteries ever gets more than slightly warm to the touch. A digital volt meter (or multi-meter) is the best way to check for battery voltage, both while charging and when the battery is idle. I won't go into specifics here, instead I highly recommend that everyone who is concerned with proper battery "break in" and maintenance visit Yuasa's website & print out the information on battery faqs & maintenance. http://www.yuasabatteries.com/consumer.htm Many listers have multiple bikes, and a setup like yours is quite expensive for 7 bikes. There are many different types of chargers, taper, trickle, constant voltage, pulse charge, etc. It may be cost effective to buy a shop type multi- battery charger. There's no reason that a properly maintained battery can't last 4-5 years or longer. Be sure to check out Yuasa's technique for intermittent charge/rest for new battery setup. Don't believe the parts counter people who insist that the new battery that they're selling you has been properly charged. I know from experience that even the best shops are very busy during peak m/c season, & some batteries may not be properly 'initialized'. Of course, if you don't care that your new, uncharged battery only has 70-80% of its maximum charge & will never be able to recover its maximum capacity, just throw it in your bike and only get 3/4 of what you paid for. Whoops, I just fell off my soapbox ... Professor A9 Federal Way, Wa. [USA] ------------------------- --- mrob1515@a... wrote:

> I have 7 motorcycles in the garage and to facilitate the > ease of keeping the batteries charged, I have a time clock > (designed for Christmas tree lights, outdoor landscape > lights etc available at Ace hardware for $20.00) with 2 > power strips attached to it. From the power strips, I have > a 1/2 amp trickle charger attached via quick disconnect > connectors to each bike. I have the timer set to go on for > 3 hours, twice a day for a total of 6 hours of charging > every 24 hours. I would welcome listers comments on my > timing: Too much or too little charging time? > > Mike Roberts > Vancouver, USA > KLR 650 A14 > 88 Honda GT Hawk NT 650 > 89 Honda GB 500 > 74 Ducati 750 GT > 70 Norton Commando (Kenny Dreer special) > 57 Triumph TR6/B > 55 BSA Gold Star