Charging new battery question

lawbreaker · March 01, 2010, 05:45:04 PM

Can I use my Battery Tender Jr. to put initial charge on a new battery? I plan on prepping the battery and hooking up the Tender on it overnight.

I'm a total battery noob but trying to absorb info fast..

Supreme Thanx in advance

Howie · March 01, 2010, 07:22:04 PM

Yes, but if it is an AGM battery it will not reach full charge. A bike ride will get the battery the rest of the way.

lawbreaker · March 02, 2010, 04:44:42 PM

Thanks mucho..

it's a Yuasa YT12B-BS.. replacing the battery from my 998

ducatiz · March 02, 2010, 05:37:34 PM

Quote from: howie on March 01, 2010, 07:22:04 PM
Yes, but if it is an AGM battery it will not reach full charge. A bike ride will get the battery the rest of the way.

can you clarify? i did this with a new agm and it got 14.5 volts.

Howie · March 02, 2010, 06:19:41 PM

Quote from: ducatiz on March 02, 2010, 05:37:34 PM
can you clarify? i did this with a new agm and it got 14.5 volts.

Are you using a Battery Tender Jr? You need 14.5 volt output to get the battery up to 14.5 volts. A battery Tender Jr. will taper off to less than that before it reaches float. If you are using a Jr. either you have an optimistic volt meter or your Tender is charging at a higher rate than it is supposed to.

ducatiz · March 02, 2010, 06:26:24 PM

Quote from: howie on March 02, 2010, 06:19:41 PM
Are you using a Battery Tender Jr? You need 14.5 volt output to get the battery up to 14.5 volts. A battery Tender Jr. will taper off to less than that before it reaches float. If you are using a Jr. either you have an optimistic volt meter or your Tender is charging at a higher rate than it is supposed to.

yup, it's a JR. i am going to put it on a tester while i charge up a batter and see what happens.

lawbreaker · March 03, 2010, 06:17:00 PM

So is it not a good idea to use the Tender Jr. overnight to put initial charge in the battery?

What would be the preferred method?

Howie · March 03, 2010, 07:20:01 PM

Use it, you will not get a full charge, but enough to start the bike. The bike will take care of the rest.

ScottRNelson · March 04, 2010, 06:49:34 AM

Quote from: lawbreaker on March 02, 2010, 04:44:42 PM
it's a Yuasa YT12B-BS.. replacing the battery from my 998

Interesting that this discussion comes up now, since I just ordered the same battery for my 888 at Cycle Gear yesterday.

I have a regular Battery Tender as well as a Jr, and I was planning to just hook it up to the regular charger then measure the voltage. I'll be sure to ride the bike right after that to top it off.

I find it interesting that I can't find the "correct" YB16AL-A2 battery in an AGM. I've only found one brand (Xtreme Volts) that offers one, but they've been unavailable for many months now. Both my ST2 and my 888 are supposed to have that battery. Since the YT12B-BS is a bit smaller, it's easy enough to make it work.

ducatiz · March 04, 2010, 09:55:37 AM

Quote from: ScottRNelson on March 04, 2010, 06:49:34 AM
I find it interesting that I can't find the "correct" YB16AL-A2 battery in an AGM. I've only found one brand (Xtreme Volts) that offers one, but they've been unavailable for many months now. Both my ST2 and my 888 are supposed to have that battery. Since the YT12B-BS is a bit smaller, it's easy enough to make it work.

Check out bikebatts.com . I picked up a gel YB16AL-A2 clone for $90.

sbrguy · March 04, 2010, 10:50:34 AM

i bought the same battery last year. put it on the battery tender overnight and the green light was on in the morning, put the battery in the bike, has been working perfectly for the past 15 months with no problem.

ScottRNelson · March 04, 2010, 11:39:58 AM

Quote from: ducatiz on March 04, 2010, 09:55:37 AM
Check out bikebatts.com . I picked up a gel YB16AL-A2 clone for $90.

Those are the ones that say "Out of Stock" currently. I want to be riding again before the end of the month.

Punx Clever · March 05, 2010, 06:49:08 AM

The 12b-bs that I picked up a little while ago (not the same brand) was charged when I got it. Fired the bike right up.

ScottRNelson · March 05, 2010, 06:53:30 AM

Quote from: Punx Clever on March 05, 2010, 06:49:08 AM
The 12b-bs that I picked up a little while ago (not the same brand) was charged when I got it. Fired the bike right up.

As I understand it, they're charged, but not fully charged. Supposedly if you don't fully charge it before use, it will never have its maximum power range available. I don't understand it, but I'm definitely making sure that the battery has received a maximum charge before I use it.

Punx Clever · March 05, 2010, 09:27:43 AM

After spending some time looking at Yuasa's PDF on the subject... there is some truth in that.

Mainly, that they do need an initial charge (DOH!), and are at about 80%. Short rides on the bike won't fully recharge the thing, though your bike may start.

However, until the plates are damaged from use or abuse, the battery can still be brought up to 100% with a charger. Trickle charging to 100% can take days.

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Charging new battery question