Topic: Battery chargers

[beemerbum]

My old Schumacher charger has died.No matter which old CB 750 I attach it to it flashes yellow indicating it is aborting the charge, I'm ordering a new one that is a 3 amp charger/maintainer. I think the old one was a 1.5 amp unit. Is the 3amp appropriate for my batteries? BTW, all of my batteries are less than two years old and have function perfectly. I rotate the charger from bike to bike over the non-riding season. The bikes are 1971, 1972 and 1977 CB 750's.

[pjlogue]

I use a Batterytender Jr.  It has an output of 0.8 A   3 amps is to high for a 12 or 14 Ah battery.  You want a charger that will shut off once the charge is full and then switch back on when the voltage drops below a certain point.  The type of charger that has a constant trickle charge will ruin these smaller batteries.

-P.

[PeWe]

Around 0.8-1A is the usual recommended charge for these smaller batteries.
Good idea to have a charger for motorcycle batteries.

My charger has different modes. Motorcycle 0.8A, Car (max 5A), Car outside charging when cold (higher voltage)/AGM, Recond.

A good charger is not expensive. An investment for many years to come. Bought mine over 10 years ago.

I'll charge my motorcycle batteries ca 12-24 hours or until green LED on charger once a month or more in the season,  ca 24 hours every 2nd month when parked.
Slow going long rides , less than 4000, maybe max 3500 rpm with heavy use of blinkers, brake lamp can drain battery.
Charge battery after a carb sync too

My car with 77Ah battery get a 48 hours charge now and then. Max current 5A.

[Don R]

 Thanks for the reminder, it's time to circulate my tender among the bikes.

[beemerbum]

The charger I ordered supposedly has "multi-stage charging algorithms that adjust the amperage rate automatically" To me electricity is beyond comprehension. Seems like if it works as described it should work on your motorcycle batteries

[PeWe]

Mine is the EU version of this. For both motorcycle and car. MXS 5.0 with quick connect cable mounted on bikes and car. Just plug in, no need to open seat.

https://www.ctek.com/us/battery-chargers-12v-24v/vehicle-type/motorcycle-battery-chargers

[newday777]

The 3 amp Schumacher smart chargers are what I have been using the past 8 years. I have 4 of them and have left one on the Yuasa wet cell battery over each winter, even had one on for 1.5 years while I was stuck in California during the LockDown. No problems. They charge only when needed automatically.

[willbird]

I have two NOCO. One for the riding mower battery and the other for 2 bikes, really need a third I guess. Did some clickage for my Walmart order for Friday and added one.

[beemerbum]

The 3 amp Schumacher smart chargers are what I have been using the past 8 years. I have 4 of them and have left one on the Yuasa wet cell battery over each winter, even had one on for 1.5 years while I was stuck in California during the LockDown. No problems. They charge only when needed automatically.

Yep, that's the one Jeff is sending me. Good to know

[newday777]

The 3 amp Schumacher smart chargers are what I have been using the past 8 years. I have 4 of them and have left one on the Yuasa wet cell battery over each winter, even had one on for 1.5 years while I was stuck in California during the LockDown. No problems. They charge only when needed automatically.

Yep, that's the one Jeff is sending me. Good to know

👍

[eldar]

I use a noco charger, with a 1 amp output. Works perfect. It's a float charger, so it only kicks in when it needs to charge. Good for sla and gel/agm.

[beemerbum]

Jeff delivered my new 3 amp Schumacher charger today.  I come to find that it can also charge lithium ion batteries. I have been considering a smaller lithium ion battery for my Yamaha street tracker to save weight and space.
There are a lot of SOHC cafe racers out there. As in most custom bikes space is at a premium. Is anyone using L I batteries in custom bikes. I'm a bit leery about them. Laptops seem to be catching fire frequently. My son's R/C cars use L I batteries and he has a special bag to contain them during charging should they flame up.

[newday777]

Jeff delivered my new 3 amp Schumacher charger today.  I come to find that it can also charge lithium ion batteries. I have been considering a smaller lithium ion battery for my Yamaha street tracker to save weight and space.
There are a lot of SOHC cafe racers out there. As in most custom bikes space is at a premium. Is anyone using L I batteries in custom bikes. I'm a bit leery about them. Laptops seem to be catching fire frequently. My son's R/C cars use L I batteries and he has a special bag to contain them during charging should they flame up.

Definitely catching fire is a legit concern 😟

LI don't like cold temps either.

[eldar]

If you go to LI, make sure you have a good r/r. If you still have the old mechanical unit, I'd change it out for a good electronic unit. LI is more finicky about charging.

[scottly]

Jeff delivered my new 3 amp Schumacher charger today.  I come to find that it can also charge lithium ion batteries. I have been considering a smaller lithium ion battery for my Yamaha street tracker to save weight and space.
There are a lot of SOHC cafe racers out there. As in most custom bikes space is at a premium. Is anyone using L I batteries in custom bikes. I'm a bit leery about them. Laptops seem to be catching fire frequently. My son's R/C cars use L I batteries and he has a special bag to contain them during charging should they flame up.

LiFe (lithium iron) batteries don't catch fire like lithium ion.