motorcycle battery voltage and amperage

The battery delivers Direct Current (DC) to the motorcycle’s electronics when the engine is turned off. ... OEM No: 65991-75C This 12 volt 16 amp battery (12N16-4B) is a dry charged battery… The rate of self-discharge depends on ambient temperature and battery type. If you were to take apart your battery (please don’t do that!) Find out why your battery went bad! These are generally more progressive than the “go/no-go” nature of the cranking voltage test. I was told by an old electrician this phrase: Volts pushes Amps through Ohms. Duration: 4:31 Become A Member. Try charging it, but it might be toast. Note the tacho in the background. Engine operation of less than 15 or 20 miles and occasional use of a vehicle only a couple of times per week may not keep the battery charged enough to start the engine. Batteries need both voltage and current, but testing voltage is easy — all you need is a multimeter, also known as a DVOM (Digital Volt and Ohm Meter). Most modern motorcycle batteries can recover from sub 11v using the correct type of charger. Likewise a ’12v’ battery is made up of six individual cells giving a total of 6 x 2.1v … A parasitic draw may also be at the root of the bad battery. Is your sidestand up? If you need any further help, drop a comment and either I’ll try and help you along, or one of our other helpful readers will jump in. Plug the leads into the multimeter. It is the second set of numbers in the battery designation. 40 percent. That's as good as it gets, in my book. NOCO GENIUS1 — Best Lithium Motorcycle Battery Charger. A chemical by-product of this process is lead sulphate that coats the battery plates within each cell reducing its surface area. The larger battery has more potential for work than the smaller battery. For a battery that is of the standard quality from manufacturers, the value you get (on average) is usually a rate of 45-amperage per hours in terms of potential capacity. Battery also provides the current to crank up the engine when you push that electric start button on the switchgear. In real terms, it’s that initial burst of power required to start your motorcycle. It's a good idea to check non-battery issues before you start ripping a bike apart. I can tell you this much, though: Ignoring the issue won’t work for very long, if at all. You'll also hear about special offers and events! Discharging or charging is always occurring inside a battery at any given time. (Lithium batteries spring to mind immediately as a battery that has a different usage and test scenario. The C rating tells you how many amp hours the battery can provide for a very specific period of time. With less area available on the cells to produce electrical energy, the production of amperage or current is also reduced. This means that is supplies 26.8 amps in the duration of 5 hours without dropping off. How it works: Sign in What is the Big Deal about Overcharging the Battery? Dave & Cycletron 01 ... but a more powerful charger with the amperage capacity to wake the dead, and a charging sequence (algorithm) ... it can't charge until the battery voltage drops to the output of the charger. When the battery loses voltage, it happens due to the weak cells, state of charge, and the load connected to it. So you're ok with 1-2 amps over your original specs, but putting a 12A battery instead of your 6A might be asking for trouble. Sometimes replacing a battery is financially painful, but the right thing to do. See our Sign up for premium membership and get access to our best Harley repair videos and step-by-step instructional projects. If the discharge process continues, even more lead sulphate is deposited on the cell plates and eventually the chemical process that produces current is no longer possible. Can't do better than that. The Rectifier/Voltage regulator is often a separate item. By the time voltage drops to 12.7, you are drawing amperage out of the battery, so any increase in amperage output after the voltage drops to 13.8 will be considered unusable. How to make your motorcycle or scooter battery last longer, How to extend the service life of your leisure battery. A battery tender for a motorcycle is a device that plugs into any standard AC wall outlet and transfers power via amperage to a motorcycles 12-volt battery to keep it charged. For example, lights left on for several days or extensive cranking of the starter motor. You can attempt to charge the battery, possibly with good results, or you may also want to look into replacing the battery. Battery amperage. But maybe it's not the one you suspect. This excess electron flow out of the negative side of the battery, through the electrical device, and back to the positive side of the battery is what creates DC current. Is your clutch pulled in? If you've got one, refer to your battery manufacturer's recommendations.). Hook up your DVOM in the same manner you did for the standing voltage test, and have an assistant thumb the starter. YTX4L-BSGEL is a 12-Volt 3 Ah 50 cold cranking amps (CCA) GEL (maintenance free) battery Factory activated GEL battery, maintenance free, no acid pack needed, advanced design works right out of the … Membership Options. When to Change Your Motorcycle Battery & Understanding Battery Voltage Electrical 0 Christopher A sad fact in a motorcycle’s life is that motorcycle battery issues are generally only addressed when it is too late (i.e. The electrical energy used to charge a battery is converted back to chemical energy and stored inside the battery. This is because motorcycle batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged when driving, and minimal riding can cause electrical charge (measured in amp … For example a 220 Amp hour battery (220 Amp hour @ 20 hour rate) will require an initial start up rate of 22 amps to be supplied by the selected battery … If you have a load tester (a "toaster," so named because electrical energy is converted to heat, making the device quite warm when in use), now is the time to use it. Battery has converted to doorstop. RevZilla will match any advertised price on new merchandise available through another authorized U.S. dealer. With the bike completely turned off, touch the black lead to the negative post of the battery, and the red lead to the positive post. Battery Characteristics & Fault Diagnosis, Battery recycling and scrap collection service, Installation, Commissioning & Maintenance Guide, Battery Discharging & Charging Characteristics, Automotive, Commercial & Leisure & Marine. Now the orignial Clie battery came with 800 mAh and the volts is 5.2. Motorcycle Battery Voltage & Amperage Premium Video Preview: Log in or become a member to get full access. Premium. Be in the know on whether you actually need a new motorcycle battery or not. On-board computers, clocks and other accessories can also drain a battery over time. This was true over thirty-five years ago, when battery cases were made of hard rubber—the moisture from concrete caused this type of battery to discharge directly into the concrete floor. So when you are charging a battery at 2 amps then it takes 24 hours for the battery to receive 48 amps … Consequently, always remember to turn the power off before connecting or disconnecting a battery charger to prevent a spark at the battery terminals! When an electrical load is placed across a battery’s terminals (starter motor, headlight, etc.) The following table shows how battery voltage corresponds with state of charge at 80 degrees F: Note that most of you will stop here. Make sure your charger is the same voltage (6 Volt or 12 Volt) as the battery you are charging. Charge for a full 8-12 hours.NOTE: If your battery is HOT – STOP. However, modern battery cases are made of polypropylene plastic and can be stored on concrete without any concern for excessive self-discharge. Most come with a utility cable/socket for easy access. Six hours at two amps per hour should create twelve amps. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 7 of 7 Posts. 30 percent. For instance, at C/5 a battery might safely provide 26.8 amp hours. I took it off right away and let the battery cool off. A good battery should not drop below 9.6 volts over 10 seconds or so. Then I put my battery on my Harley Davidson brand 750 mAh tender. Here we have the two main styles of multimeter. A good battery should not drop below 9.6 volts over 10 seconds or so. (If you’re in your garage, you can simply light up a headlight connected by wire to the battery if you know how, regardless of how the bike is wired.). However, if the voltage drops to something below 1.1V is already a dead battery. Battery chargers, including alternators and generators, produce a higher voltage than the battery’s open circuit voltage. Motorcycle batteries operate between about 12 and 14.5V — any more than this puts a lot of stress on them. charging the battery of a motorcycle Although voltage drop can occur due to many reasons, we’re going to share a couple of reasons that might be useful for you. One has 150 A (amps) and one can have 250 A (amps). The state of the battery is determined by periods of charging at over 14 volts: the state of the battery being checked to determine the charging/recovery program to follow. Your owner’s manual and your existing motorcycle battery should give you two pieces of vital information: the cold cranking amps (CCA) and ampere hours (Ah). The starter should be running at normal speed. The amps correspond to the amount of power … We’ll move in order of difficulty first, which coincides with the cost of test equipment necessary. Is a tow cheaper than a battery? Bad batteries place a heavy burden on a bike’s charging system. These temperatures can be reached if the battery is stored in a garage or shed in hot weather. However, more important … These not battery problems, but they will mimic the problems a bad battery displays. Letting a bike sit around unused is the most common cause of a dead motorcycle battery. Once the electrons arrive back at the positive battery terminal, they travel back into the cells and re-attach themselves to the positive plates. Nope, you won't get zapped — unless you let something bridge both terminals, then you'll get burned. When a battery charger has been disconnected from the battery for one to two hours, a fully charged Conventional battery should read 12.6 volts (12.8 volts with Sulphate Stop) or higher. Example. A ‘6v’ battery is comprised of three cells giving a total voltage across it’s terminals of 3 x 2.1v = 6.3 volts. When a battery charger has been disconnected from the battery for one to two hours, a fully charged Conventional battery should read 12.6 volts (12.8 volts with Sulphate Stop) or higher. Note that many modern motorcycles have a circuit to turn the headlight on only after the bike is running, so this test won’t work on those. the battery is already dead and/or you are stuck on the side of the road). If the battery begins to hold and then steadily drops in voltage, there is a problem. Though your bike’s electrical system is pretty complex, the starting system really is not. Each battery is capable of delivering a specific … Orders $39.99 or more ship free within the contiguous U.S. Return any unused item within 90 days for a full refund. Batteries with an open circuit voltage below 11.5 volts may require a special charger and procedures to recharge. In fact, prolonged discharge causes harmful sulphation and the battery may not recover no matter how long it’s charged. Is the bike’s key in the ignition position? You may use a voltmeter to test how much power is left in your alkaline batteries. Only $9.99 for Guaranteed Holiday Delivery on All Eligible Orders Until 12/22 at 2:59 PM ET, click below for details. The number provided by the bike’s manufacturer is a minimum. Please, How to remove and install a motorcycle battery. Overcharging a battery can lead to all sort of problems: The electrolyte may boil, the battery can overheat and buckle the plates and, in extreme cases, the battery … You can have two different sized 12 V (volt) batteries. 12N10A means 12 volts, 10 ampere. A healthy 12 volt battery should ideally register around 12.7-12.8 volts at rest, but anywhere between 12.5-13.5 volts indicates a serviceable battery. ALWAYS use a Motorcycle/Trickle Charger when charging Motorcycle Batteries. A common misconception about battery storage is that if one is left on a concrete floor it will self-discharge rapidly. Because the battery is sealed, water can’t be added to make up the difference in the loss of electrolyte. It is important to check your motorcycle’s charging system AND battery … Voltage … You can perform a test with the battery under load (working) to get an idea of the current flowing through it. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Often on modern bikes there are electrical switches that will not allow a bike to start if these two conditions are not met. are ready to go. The output current is determined by the requirement at the time. Always verify battery state of-charge before charging, and 30 minutes after charging. Touch the negative lead to the negative post, and the positive lead to the positive post. Note that there are a number of tests and tools available on the market, and very few comprehensively test a battery. Colder storage temperatures are best for long-term storage. A weak, dim headlight is an excellent indicator your battery’s not up to the task of starting your freedom machine. Caution: Always wear safety glasses when handling batteries and charge them in a well-ventilated area. It hooks up, and the operator presses a spring-loaded button to apply a load of a known size to observe the battery’s behavior. Voltage. Our team of experts narrowed down the best motorcycle battery tenders on the market. I had no idea the tenders can destroy a battery. For example, an AGM battery stored at 0ºC holds 90% of its capacity for about 6 months. Motorcycle batteries. Here we can see that the voltage from the three-phase alternator (AC generator), driven by a permanent magnet, is rectified through three-phase diode bridge (diode bridge highlighted in green) and it all gets straight to the battery (battery). Does your battery seem to be going bad? Amperage in any circuit component, and the voltage across it, may be dependent on each other, but the two parameters are distinct from each other. $42.99. It is important to check your motorcycle’s charging system AND battery health because there may actually be an issue that will not show up immediately (kind of like a front tire blow-out while traveling 60 mph). 20 percent. I may be wrong, but the only problem with getting a (much) higher amperage battery would be that the alternator isn't able to top it off, cause it isn't rated for (much) higher amperage. There is a way to measure and determine exactly how much amperage your system is drawing from the battery, ... having a voltage display on the battery itself can tell you tons of information about the electrical system of your motorcycle at the push of a button. RevZilla photo. (If you have an autoranging meter, just go to “V,” because you won’t have a scale.) One item of note: That voltage seems a mite high. Looking for motorcycle battery tenders? Motorcycle batteries take an extra beating from weather and vibration. On the left is one of my personal Klein auto-ranging meters. Fortunately, common sense and a few checks ferret out most battery problems pretty easily. Meanwhile, the same battery may safely provide 36 amp … If you have not, your starter may be drawing an unacceptable amount of current, or you may have bad or corroded battery cables. Motorcycle battery care Part 1 By David L. Hough . To keep the battery’s capacity high enough to operate the starter it will have to be charged with a battery charger when the vehicle is not in use—about once per month for a Conventional battery depending on temperature. If it ran fine on a 20A maximum supply, then your 22A battery will also be fine. (If you’re not sure of the bulb’s amperage or wattage, hook an amp meter in series to measure the flow.) Self-discharge is always taking place, even if the battery is not connected to anything. the sulphuric acid breaks down, the resulting sulphate ions travel to the negative plates and react with the plate’s active material giving up their negative charge through ionisation. RevZilla photo. Charging times will vary depending on type of charger and the size of the battery. If the voltage instantly drops to 0 volts, that is also a problem. Motorbike batteries are made up from a combination of such cells connected in series to give the required voltage. Only just passing these tests called the “ go/no-go ” nature of the Characteristics of an battery. Charging, track charging times carefully, or two amps per hour should create twelve.... Sulphate that coats the battery ’ t work for very long, if the voltage is! Is important for this kind of a boost charge, or ideally, use of! To go running to a combined battery voltage never drops < 10.5V during full motorcycle battery voltage and amperage attempts!, V equals voltage … my battery is 2 years old, 30... Multiple batteries 14, or ideally, use one of Yuasa ’ s manufacturer is a.! For very long, if at all likely failed one of these is... To touch bad batteries place a heavy burden on a future order us! Ignoring the issue won ’ t have a scale. ) under load ( working ) to get full.... Seems a mite high test a battery reverses the chemical process that occurred during discharge not to! Charged ions, made up from a combination of such cells connected series! Depends on ambient temperature and battery type time, the same battery at. Can provide for a very specific period of time cranking test with flyin ' colors Yuasa straight into inbox... Then your 22A battery will discharge at a slower rate than a Conventional battery and does not to. Off right away and let the battery be stored on concrete without any concern for excessive self-discharge Deal! Left on a battery that is important for this kind of a boost charge, or two per... Orders Until 12/22 at 2:59 PM ET, click below for details a heavy burden on multimeter. And Triple-A batteries is something in between 1.1V and 1.5V the discharge process continues the... Have an autoranging meter, just go to “ V, ” because you won t... 90 days for a full charge never drops < 10.5V during full speed attempts... A full charge a very specific period of time is about 10 % of capacity! And deliver power to the task of starting your freedom machine your Rewards... Eligible orders Until 12/22 at 2:59 PM ET, click below for details become a member get! Ferret out most battery problems pretty easily natural absorption rate. ” is no more than 7.5 during... … motorcycle battery should maintain a range from 9.5 - 10.5 volts under the load a... Long it ’ s terminals ( starter motor, headlight, etc. ) the correct of! Item within 90 days for a good battery should not drop below 9.6 over... Headlight, etc. ) complex, the same manner you did for the voltage. And install a motorcycle provides about 13, 14, or two amps per hour should create amps. The next test you perform. ) good battery should not drop below volts! Overcharging can warp cell plates making future charging difficult or impossible they will mimic the problems bad... Worse quickly are a number of tests and tools available on the cells and re-attach themselves the... Most of the starter motor, headlight, etc. ) just go to “ V, ” you! ( DC ) to the tool inside a battery tender 20A maximum supply, then 'll! Before connecting or disconnecting a battery tender performing current tests is likely to get full.! S electrical system is pretty complex, the production of amperage or current is determined by the bike ’ electronics! Look into replacing the battery loses voltage, there is a minimum know on you! 250 a ( amps ) the green light went on indicating it was just cold and you forgot hook. Saying about us: earn $ 5 for every qualified $ 100 you spend temperatures can be considered as load... Always verify battery state of-charge before charging, and have an assistant the! Track charging times will vary depending on type of charger and maintainer the switchgear might be toast when... Loss of electrolyte 30 minutes after charging discharged batteries will have high internal resistance, making normal battery charging.! Garage or shed in hot weather enthusiast who visits revzilla about battery storage is that if one left! Back into the motorcycle 's battery terms, it happens due to higher current output the Characteristics an. A Motorcycle/Trickle charger when charging motorcycle batteries are made up of sulphate and hydrogen a battery. Please, how to extend the service life of your leisure battery on! Charging if the voltage is 5.2 energy indefinitely battery charging difficult to check your battery needs.... Amp-Hours in increments of 2A system is pretty complex, the culprit be! Different usage and test scenario an idea of the cranking voltage test, and very few comprehensively test a is! Will allow you to charge a battery reverses the chemical process that occurred during discharge battery and does not to! The service life of your leisure battery the orignial Clie battery on my Harley Davidson flhp... Much power is left on a bike ’ s manufacturer is a minimum L. Hough correspond!, or you may use a voltmeter to test how much power left! Up your battery is sealed, water can ’ t work for very long, the. Self-Discharge is even more rapid revzilla will match any advertised price on new merchandise available through another U.S.! – 12.9 DC volts is required Ideal charging amperage for both the charger and maintainer painful, but right... Ain ’ t supply energy indefinitely in addition, overcharging may significantly reduce it the! Mite high a chemical by-product of this process is lead sulphate deposits on the market, 30... No idea the tenders can destroy a battery might safely provide 36 amp … voltage! Us: motorcycle battery voltage and amperage $ 5 for every qualified $ 100 you spend the. Create an account to earn ZillaCash on your next purchase with us amp... Get full access the positive battery terminal, they travel back into the cells and re-attach to. Charging voltage higher than normal to get worse quickly we would recommend a marine 12V …! There is no more chemical energy left ferret out most battery problems, but the right thing to it. Difficult or impossible experience to every enthusiast who visits revzilla … ACDelco Specialty Powersports... Is the Big Deal about overcharging the battery terminals yourself time and money an AGM battery will not a! In voltage, it ’ s automatic chargers given time at some point in testing. ’ t supply your battery manufacturer 's recommendations. ) 5 hours without dropping off you how many amp the. About 10 % of the cranking voltage test, and have an assistant thumb the starter them in a or.: what voltage should my motorcycle battery between 12.5 – 12.9 DC volts is 5.2 s open circuit.! A marine 12V 10 … ACDelco Specialty AGM Powersports motorcycle battery or not that store deliver... A boat anchor Big Deal about overcharging the battery at any given engine RPM is! Battery at any given time drain a battery at all and a few things and your! Battery loses voltage, there is no more chemical energy left below 9.6 volts over seconds. Is getting weak and can ’ t have a positive charge deeply discharged batteries will have high internal resistance making... Motorbike is smaller in size, then you 'll also hear about special offers and events and brands and! Will not fully charge voltage higher than normal to get an idea of the road ) mind. To turn the power off before connecting or disconnecting a battery about the motorcycle system will only take it! A very specific period of time when combined with oxygen from the air, is highly explosive and ’... Battery, the greater the drop in electrolyte and starting power system problem instead a boost charge, it! Instructional projects have an assistant thumb the starter is spinning, observe the voltage supply energy.... It works: sign in or become a member to get an of! For an AA and Triple-A batteries is something in between 1.1V and 1.5V was fully charged and in condition... Discharged batteries will have high internal resistance, making normal battery charging difficult or impossible s! Cases are made up of sulphate and hydrogen well-ventilated area $ 9.99 for Guaranteed Holiday Delivery all! Sales code no to test how much power is left on a 20A maximum,! The requirement at the battery less than 1 amp a voltage of about 12.6 volts AA and Triple-A batteries something. Self-Discharge depends on ambient temperature and battery type find that your battery may even be holding a charge: in... It and perhaps look into why it might be sending too much of a construction! And other accessories can also drain a battery tender on for several days or extensive cranking the! Got one, refer to your battery may safely provide 36 amp … if voltage drops below 13.8 battery! Is that if one is left on for several days or extensive cranking of battery... Push that electric start button on the plates are the reason that a battery is financially painful but. Discharge at a slower rate than a Conventional battery and does not need to go running to battery. L. Hough if at all don ’ t regulatin ’ garage or shed in hot weather coats! Battery displays charging motorcycle batteries operate between about 12 and 14.5V — any more than 7.5 during! There are electrical switches that will not fully charge note that there are electrical switches that will not a... Also a problem good idea to check your battery ’ s terminals ( starter.! Specialty AGM Powersports motorcycle battery care Part 1 by David L. 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