Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Oct 2007
orrin's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Worcester Park
Posts: 174
Sealed battery activation??? Help??

Bought a sealed battery for my trip a while ago. The thing is that I have lost the box it came in which has the "inportand information before activation".
So... How do I activate it? and
What this important information??
Any ideas?
Orrin
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Oct 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by orrin View Post
Bought a sealed battery for my trip a while ago. The thing is that I have lost the box it came in which has the "inportand information before activation".
So... How do I activate it? and
What this important information??
Any ideas?
Orrin
Is it already sealed or does it come with a water pack ???

If its already sealed then it probably just needs conditioning with an overnight trickle charge.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Oct 2007
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Sometimes a trickle charger voltage is just a bit low to fully charge a new battery, specifically a sealed Batt that you add the acid too and then seal it up yourself.

Better use a Pro charger or auto charger if you have one. This should be the only time you need a higher amp charge.

I have two chargers. One is the common Battery Tender. It puts out a max of
1.25 amps in full charge mode. This is a "smart charger" that sense charge level and goes from full charge to a mid range charge and finally to maintenance or trickle charge. In Trickle charge mode very little current is being sent to the battery. (about 200 mili amps that switches on and off as needed)

My other motorcycle charger puts out only 900 mili amps at full charge.

To properly charge a new battery you need to charge it at a level of about
2 amps to 2.5 amps max for about 6 hours. Now you're good to go.

I would do the same with a new, pre-sealed battery as well. If it's a Yuasa
MF sealed battery (the best, IMO) then go to their web site to find exact
amp level and time requirement for a new battery.

If you charge with a trickle charger your new battery will never reach its full power potential, won't hold a charge as well.

Good luck!

Patrick
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Oct 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
High amp charging a new (or any battery) is a sure way to kill it quick !

You right to say that a step charger is best. About 1-2 amps is best. Over 3amp will do damage.

10% of the ampere-hour rating of your battery is the max you ever want to go.

A trickle charger will do exactly the same job, just take longer.

The "tender" is a fine charger.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Oct 2007
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
High amp charging a new (or any battery) is a sure way to kill it quick !

You right to say that a step charger is best. About 1-2 amps is best. Over 3amp will do damage.

10% of the ampere-hour rating of your battery is the max you ever want to go.

A trickle charger will do exactly the same job, just take longer.
The "tender" is a fine charger.
Ted, I think you kinda missed my point....I probably didn't make it very well.
Yes, a Battery Tender will charge up your new battery, but never up to max
capacity. Problem is, the Tender gets fooled into thinking Batt is at full charge and shuts down to a trickle charge. All step chargers will do this. So the cells never are fully up to max output....will discharge faster, won't deliver max voltage.

A new Batt that you've just added Acid to needs to be "cooked" just a bit to bring the cells up to max charge. Read the Yuasa instructions. They make this exact point.

No, you don't want to cook it over night on an 8 or 10 amp car battery charger, but a 4 to 6 hour stint on 2.5 or 3 amps is what is needed to kind of "kick Start" it. From there forward it should not be charged at that rate unless it's totally dead, and then only for a short time. The "smart" chargers are the ticket but they don't work well for intial charge.

I have three or four, a couple for my sound gear and a couple more for the bikes. My entire sound cart (totally portable digital sound recording set up for
doing "film/video production sound".

All runs on DC ...3 big 20 AH batts run wireless receivers, mixing board, Comtec system, my Gerbing jacket (for night work), scanners, digi video recorder (for playback), speakers, power conditioners, digital sound recorders (two), analog recorder (one), and a bunch of other crap. I have two on board chargers that I plug in when ever possible. Otherwise its an ALL DC operation. No humms, buzzes EMI or RFI. I can go about 12 hours using only my own batteries. If my batteries fail I am ....screwed.....

Patrick
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Oct 2007
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Ted, I think you kinda missed my point....I probably didn't make it very well.
Yes, a Battery Tender will charge up your new battery, but never up to max
capacity. Problem is, the Tender gets fooled into thinking Batt is at full charge and shuts down to a trickle charge. All step chargers will do this. So the cells never are fully up to max output....will discharge faster, won't deliver max voltage.

A new Batt that you've just added Acid to needs to be "cooked" just a bit to bring the cells up to max charge. Read the Yuasa instructions. They make this exact point.

No, you don't want to cook it over night on an 8 or 10 amp car battery charger, but a 4 to 6 hour stint on 2.5 or 3 amps is what is needed to kind of "kick Start" it. From there forward it should not be charged at that rate unless it's totally dead, and then only for a short time. The "smart" chargers are the ticket but they don't work well for intial charge.


Patrick
Yer, Ill go along with that !
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
XT600 not charging battery Izzy Electric Yamaha Tech 15 27 Sep 2016 05:47
Sterling Battery to Battery Charger (long!) gilghana1 Equipping the Overland Vehicle 7 21 Aug 2007 21:03
Voltage reg/Rectifier simmo Other Bikes Tech 12 8 Dec 2006 04:09
Which Battery for my Airhead? Story Leavesley BMW Tech 7 23 Dec 2003 19:33
Hawker battery mmaarten Honda Tech 0 25 Jun 2002 21:23

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:34.