Topic: Charging tests "where are you TT?

[Hush]

I'm using a battery trickle charger as reccommended by Scunny on here, $19 and it only does 1amp but can be left on just about indefinately so battery should be at peak before I ride.
TT I went back along Kit's "hot start" thread and re-read your advice on page 13 (which should go into FAQs) as I understand it a lot better now having kickstarted dormant part of brain that knows about ohms/amps/diodes etc.
Very interesting that you say the regulator only "knows" what it is told by the battery re state of charge and bad connections between anything in this line will have an effect on charging rate. (my abbreviated version)
I seem to remember a neglected part of my electrics where the main fuse is located, will pull that out and give it a birthday as it looks like crap.

[TwoTired]

I'm using a battery trickle charger as reccommended by Scunny on here, $19 and it only does 1amp but can be left on just about indefinately so battery should be at peak before I ride.

Trickle chargers are NOT automatic chargers and don't switch to float charge when appropriate.  They rely on the operator to monitor charge levels and discontinue charging when the battery is full.
Even a 1 amp trickle charger can damage a battery by constantly putting charge power at too high a rate for indefinite periods of time.  Also, trickle chargers don't usually have temperature compensation.  It will try even harder to to overcharge a cold battery.

It is fine to push 1 amp into a depleted battery until it is fully charged.  Then the charge rate should be reduced to maintenance levels.
One sure sign of overcharging is frequent need for electrolyte top-ups. See this from: http://www.powerstream.com/SLA.htm


Unregulated Transformer-Based Chargers
These are the absolute cheapest chargers around. They consist of a wall mount transformer and a diode. The transformer is designed to deliver 13 to 14 volts over a reasonable current range. The biggest problem with this approach is that when the current tapers off, the voltage raises to 15, 16, 17, even 18 volts. At these high voltages electrolysis of the water in the battery starts in. These must not be left to trickle or float charge a battery, they must be disconnected when the battery is fully charged.

A float charger or three state charger is best for flooded cell batteries.  State one, is where it uses it's highest current output to restore to about 90% of full charge, then it switches to low charge rate mode as it nears peak charge.  This state full passivates the chemicals in the battery.  After achieving full charge it switches to float mode.  This is a very low charge rate that just maintains the battery against self discharge.

Cheers,

[Hush]

Thanks for that TT I'm hoping that I'll be riding too much to be leaving the trickle charger on for any length of time.

OK replaced the borrowed regulator with my old one to test my theory that reg is not the culprit and got these readings.

       Sitting 12.93 volts
        @Idle 13.40 volts
@2500 rpm 13.30 volts
@5000 rpm 13.50 volts
@5000 rpm 13.30 volts with light on full beam

One question: is the solenoid wiring sensitive? because while cleaning up the wiring today I noticed that I had put the cables on the wrong tower bolts.
They actually have really easy to see directions as to where they should go so I must have done this in the dark!

[Spanner 1]

Hush, solenoid terminals dont care which terminal you put battery + lead and starter motor + lead, but the rest of the bike has to hook-on to the same terminal as battery +, but if wrong, no start, no headlight etc......

[Hush]

Yeah kinda thought that was the case Spanner, hey about time you changed your avatar too....you sold her now let her go!

[Spanner 1]

Dammit, Hush, you caught me with my ex-bike !!! I asked the new one , but she said 'no photos until you finish my makeover ', I said;' but, Honey, you look fine like you are'...
I got a 'glare' back at that point, so I'll have to wait a few days....do more work.....
My 'real 'Mrs. just said..' They really are the worst (best ) mistress , you can ignore them in the garage for days, they improve with age, don't demand anything except the time spend on her, blah, blah ' !!!

[Hush]

Waddya mean cheap mistresses?
War paint, bling, constant servicing leave them for a few days and they sulk, even worse mine either snores or has flatulance (rich or lean?) and new shoes!!!! bloody Metzlers cost me $500 at least!