brand new battery.....

so heres the wrap-

-fresh new (conventional acid type) battery put into '82 maxim 650j two weeks ago
-was not charged because i dont have a charger (im cheap)
-had to jump it for the first 4 (short 20minute) trips, then if it ran the day prior it started fine the next day....when it was warm out (+/- 50F)
-now its back to normal winter (less than 30F, +/- 10F in the evening)
-other than the carbs freezing ("HEAT" fuel additive will go in tonight...) the battery is dead all the time-
- the headlamp goes a tad dim at less than 1200rpm-
-I have not ridden the bike more than 6 or 7 short 20minute trips on this battery
THE QUESTION IS..........
do i need to fess up the dough and buy a charger/tender or just jump it for now until it warms up in two weeks when i can ride it for more than 20minutes and take a looong trip?

 

I had this same problem when I first got my bike. However, once I found out that I needed to rev the engine higher when riding, my battery suddenly started maintaining a charge.

The bike uses a ton of juice to start up, and since its a rather small battery to begin with, only a few cranks before its dead. So if you don't ride it long enough, or at high enough rpm's, then the alternator will not put out enough current to recharge the battery the amount that the engine took to start.

I have bought a waterproof battery tender, since my bike stays outside under a cover at all times, and after that, I don't have any problems with it starting up in the cold or after even a short ride. I picked mine up for $50, so they really aren't super expensive (i guess its relative though...).

Good luck!

 

hey thanks for the really quick response! i think im going to head over to Wally World (walmart) after work and get a waterproof charger (mine sits outside too), "HEAT" gasoline deicer and some fuel system cleaner additive, seafoam!.. and hopefully after ALL this, i will be set

thanks again, mp-

 

This is what I tell all my customers buying alternators: they are not battery chargers. If your battery is dead, charge it with a charger. Your alternator is designed to provide the amperage your bike needs to operate. Running a dead battery will only tax the alternator and cause it to die prematurely.

In addition to this, by not fully charging your new battery, and by running it like you've done, you've probably hurt the battery. You may be able to save it, but you'll have to get it on a charger soon.

 

i was just thinking the same thing, many high dollar batteries i use at work need to be charged fully before used, and before put on trickle- similar concept... ill be purchasing a charger then :roll:

 

Another thing about new batteries in cold weather. The battery has liquid in it that WILL Freeze if the temp drops below freezing. Not good for a new battery, the liquid will expand and crack the casing. If storing the bike in cold weather, Remove the battery and put it inside.

 

Mandatory to Charge a Battery BEFORE installing it into a vehicle. Ask any Battery Rep. Problem is v few vendors or owners ever bother.
Vehicle charge systems are primitive and brutal. Moto ones even more so. Massive overcharging is the Main reason Moto batteries only live a couple of seasons... so the battery guys maintain.

 

study this, there will be a quiz friday
hints
you have a lead-acid battery, if you don't you'll know it
your battery has six cells
battery u

 

I bought a 1-amp trickle-charger several weeks ago for around $ 20. Money well spent in cold weather climates.

 

My Optimate charger is one of the best investments I made.

As I don't use my bike that often I just hook it up and leave it on until I use it again. The optimates come with a little waterproof socket that you fix permanently to your battery so you can just plug it in at anytime without removing any covers.

 

I'd have to agree with Gamuru o this one. A bikes charging system is only designed for keeping the battery charged under normal riding conditions. It's not designed to charge a bettery from new or dead conditions. That's goes for an automotive system also. AN automobles system has a better alternator and can charge a battery that is run down if you drive long enough, but it's still not good for the voltage regualtor of the alternator.
Get a good trickle type float charger (1 -2 amps) and keep it plugged into the bike all winter. Walmart sell a Schumacher brand float charger for $18 that does a good job. If you have it outside, keep it under an ice cream pail or some thing to keep it out of the elements. >PD<

 

Any Autozone will charge you're battery for free, regardless of where you bought it. I bought my battery from Walmart (it was 10 bucks cheaper than the same battery at Autozone). then took it to AutoZone for it's initial charge. I have since then bought a 1.5 Amp charger from WM, it cost about $20 and is fully automatic.