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battery recharge time

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mmcgee, Jun 4, 2013.

  1. mmcgee

    mmcgee Member

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    How long should I be riding before I can expect the battery to recharge even a little?
     
  2. mlew

    mlew Well-Known Member

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    Thats kind of a trick question, it all depends on the current condition of your battery. If your battery is good and you left the ignition on and drained it then just a few miles should give it enough charge to restart. If you are not sure have the battery tested along with the charging system.
     
  3. MichaelTorre

    MichaelTorre New Member

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    Best battery maintenance is a trickle charge once a month.
    With short trips, high energy ignition, fans , lights and all, there is little time or energy left.
    A digital volt meter will tell you your state of charge, but not available amperage. You can still use that information to determine your battery's health. Charged is 12.6 volts
    12.4 is showing decline in charge. 12 volts is danger, draining and possibly sulfating.
    Even on cars the alternator just can't do what we need.
    Google " battery university" for more stuff that will keep you up at night.
    Michael
     
  4. MichaelTorre

    MichaelTorre New Member

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    Best battery maintenance is a trickle charge once a month.
    With short trips, high energy ignition, fans , lights and all, there is little time or energy left.
    A digital volt meter will tell you your state of charge, but not available amperage. You can still use that information to determine your battery's health. Charged is 12.6 volts
    12.4 is showing decline in charge. 12 volts is danger, draining and possibly sulfating.
    Even on cars the alternator just can't do what we need.
    Michael
     
  5. foks

    foks Member

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    I'd say at least 10 miles or so, without idling.
    Maybe pull the fuse of your headlight if your battery charge is that low, and you're in a real hurry.
     
  6. ManBot13

    ManBot13 Well-Known Member

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    I've noticed that on my short 6 mile each way commute, in start and stop traffic, my battery (1 year old AMG) will be drained if I don't trickle charge it within 2-3 trips. I put it on the charger after every commute and have no problems. So for a data point...that's not enough :lol:

    Alternator output varies with RPM, so you have to actually be "riding" not puttering around, to provide any charge to the battery to make up for the discharge when starting. Alternator output is rated at 2500 rpm and up, anything less and you can't expect to be charging the battery.
     
  7. boldstar

    boldstar Member

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    totally agree driving about town never really gets a chance to charge mines left permantly on trickle chage during the week
     
  8. tskaz

    tskaz Active Member

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    I do 2-4 five mile trips a day, plus a half dozen trips less than 4 miles, plus an extended 100 mile or so trip per week. I add distilled water and throw it on the trickle charge once every 2 or 3 months, then for the 2-3 months I don't ride in the slick stuff I put it on and leave it out in the shed (below freezing) Battery is on it's third season and still going strong.

    As soon as you get the RPMs past 2200 the charging system starts working, so only going for five minutes at 5k revs should still give you enough of a charge to start it and get going to recharge.

    FYI, your system should be putting out 14v+ when above 2200rpm, anything less and it's not working properly.
     

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