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Charging The Soul Of The Motorcycle
We know you take care of the motorcycle like it’s your baby, however, sometimes it does need a little bit of recharge. After all, it runs on an engine. You always want the best for your bike and will do anything to keep her in the best form. Therefore, if your bike’s battery is down, you are likely to google how to charge a motorcycle battery.
Checklist
We want to help you overcome this situation, and so, here is a checklist for you to go through on how to charge a motorcycle battery.
1. Assess The Situation
There are three ways to charge your battery:
- Charging the battery with a charger
- Using a jump-starter
- Kick-starting the bike.
If you have reached home and realized that your bike needs charging, then charge it with a charger. If you are outside, and unfortunately, your bike has stopped. Find out if it is because of the battery or some other technical fault. The last two options are to be used then.
Keep this in mind that sometimes the battery could be dead, or has been used past its limits. Charging would then last for only a few days. Hence, it’s advisable to get new batteries for your bike.
If your battery just needs charging, you have to determine the type of battery. If they are lead batteries, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), or gel batteries, you can easily charge them. However, lithium-based batteries would require special chargers.
2. Choose The Right Charger
Before you get into the process, you need the perfect charger for your bike. The most common type of charger is the Trickle Charger. It will keep on turning the AC from your electric supply to DC for charging until it is turned off.
Next, Float Chargers are very easy to use as they turn on and off by battery power. This ensures that the battery is at an optimal level. This helps to prevent any mishaps.
Lastly, Smart Chargers are very similar to Float Chargers. However, they have a desulfation mode which tends to knock the sulfur from the lead plates inside the battery. This process is harmful to lithium-based batteries.
It is important to check your bike’s battery manual before you go to buy a charger. You can also talk about it to a professional mechanic.
3. Handling The Battery
Now that you have found the perfect charger for your battery, it is time to prepare for the big battle.
The first step is to remove the battery. Usually, people avoid this step, but it is very necessary. If the battery is connected and somehow there are hazards like a blown fuse or melted wiring harness, the whole bike could get damaged. To avoid this, make sure to remove the battery.
An added advantage to removing the battery is the battery’s temperature keeps changing as it is charged. The charging reaction is exothermic and it gives off heat. In extreme circumstances, there is a possibility that the battery might melt due to overheating. If that does happen, the acid coming out of it can destroy all the components of your bike.
It is advisable to take out your battery from the bike, put it on a tray, and then start charging.
4. Charge It Up!
Finally, it is time to charge your bike! First, charge your battery in an empty space. While your battery is getting charged, it emits hydrogen gas which is very inflammable. Do not choose your garage or do it outside. However, you can empty your garage for a while. The best thing to do is to have a separate small area for charging.
The next step is very important. Check at least thrice if all the terminals have been connected properly. If there are any mistakes, it might result in an accident. Some new chargers do tell you that the terminals aren’t connected properly. Still, it is better to check for yourself.
If you are using a Triple Charger, please be by its side and check occasionally if it is properly charging or not. However, if you are using Float or Smart Chargers you can be assured that they are safe.
5. Put It Back
Modern chargers like the Float and Smart ones usually tell you when the charging is done. However, if you are using the Triple Charger, connect the battery to a multimeter, and check if it is done.
Be very careful while putting the battery. Always attach the positive cable first and then the negative. The order of connecting is essential.
6. Still, Facing Problems?
Usually charging a battery is normal if the bike has been sitting in for a while or the battery is quite old. However, if a new battery requires charging, it is a red flag. Make sure to send it for servicing.
If the battery is still giving up after charging, you need to check out the problem and consult the mechanic about it. Never ignore the small signs of problems in your bike’s internal organs. Keep ignoring them, and you might end up in big trouble in the middle of nowhere.
Be Responsible!
Just getting a bike and riding it around is not enough. Treat your bike like a pet. It needs food and lots of attention! After you get your bike, make sure that you get insurance for it, as you never know what might happen in the future. Send your bike for regular servicing. Make sure to keep it clean and check if all the internals is working properly.
As for you, the rider, do drive responsibly. Just in case you have a bike, does not mean you can go over the speed limit. Wear a helmet and drive responsibly. When you are on the road, it is your responsibility as a human, to take care of not only your safety but also the others who are there.