Charging Bike Battery: A Comprehensive Guide

A healthy motorcycle battery is responsible for storing chemicals and generating electrical currents using the said chemicals. A motorcycle’s battery is also often referred to as the brain box, as it powers the engine, the lighting, and other electrical components.

When you ride a motorcycle for a long time, the battery starts to discharge. Motorcycle batteries are usually smaller than car batteries and discharge faster. A discharged battery makes the motorcycle useless and must be charged when 20 to 30% of battery life is remaining. In this blog, we will cover what are the common causes of motorcycle battery draining and provide a comprehensive guide to charging bike battery.

A] What Causes A Motorcycle Battery To Drain?

Any normal motorcycle battery will drain as it is used; however, there are several reasons why your motorcycle battery might be draining quicker than usual or even when not in use. Here are some of these causes that you should not ignore in order to increase your battery’s longevity:

• Leakage in the circuit: Damaged batteries often leak electrolytes. This drains the battery life very quickly, even when the motorcycle is not in use.
• Poor ground connection: While the bike battery is charging, it is crucial to check all the connections are properly connected. Improper ground connections can cause improper charging, leading to untimely battery failure.
• Corrosion: Corrosion is a common problem that can be caused by weather or exposure to chemicals. Corrosion can cause a range of problems, such as leakage, electrical resistance, and reduced voltage.
• Overcharging: Overcharging can increase internal temperature, causing damage to the internal components.
• Undercharging: Undercharging can cause unexpected engine failures and also lead to long-term problems like freezing sulphate on the plates.
• Vibrations and heat: Vibrations and heat are common occurrences that damage the internal parts and loosen the connections.
• Battery Aging: Old batteries do not hold charge very well. There is not much to do in such cases, except replacing them. Choose high-quality batteries such as the Crank1 Battery For Honda Gold Wing -CB20L-BS and the Crank1 Battery For Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200-CB20L-BS for extended longevity. 

B] Safety Precautions While Charging Bike Battery

There are several precautions that you must take while connecting your motorcycle to the motorcycle battery charger. Lithium ion batteries that are mostly used in bikes are a fire risk if stored improperly. Make sure that there are no signs of damage, cracks, or corrosion while plugging the charger in.

Properly connect the positive and negative charger leads and ensure that ground connection is maintained. Also, turn off the power before connecting and disconnecting the charger. Do not let any spark or fire get near the battery as it may have hydrogen gas. 

C] What Tools Are Required To Charge Bike Battery?

Make sure you have all the necessary tools before you charge your motorcycle. Here are some of the tools you might need for motorcycle battery charging,

• Battery Charger For Motorcycle: Make sure to have a charger that is compatible with your bike. A charger with an auto-off feature is recommended to prevent overcharging.
• Safety goggles and gloves: Safety goggles and gloves are a must to protect your hands and eyes in case of acid splashes and sparks.
• Wrench or socket set: A wrench and socket set is crucial for making the charging process more efficient and safe. If you are on the road, make sure to carry a tool pack along with you. Our Dirtsack Ace Toolpack is a reliable choice for carrying all your essential tools on your ride.
• Battery terminal cleaner or wire brush: These brushes are used to ensure the battery terminals and cable connections are clean.
• Safety mat or cardboard: A safety mat or cardboard is placed on the surface to create a non-conductive base.

D] How To Charge Bike Battery? A Step-By-Step Guide

1. Find Where The Battery Is Located

The first step is to locate the battery to make sure you do not have to remove anything more than what is necessary. Usually, the battery is placed under the seat or in the bike’s frame.

2. Now Disconnect The Battery

Before you disconnect the battery, make sure the bike is turned off to avoid sparks and damage. Place the removed battery on a non-conductive and ventilated surface. This is to keep the wires, pain, and electronics safe, in case of a short circuit. 

3. Connect The Charger

Now, safely connect the positive and negative leads to their respective terminals on the battery. If the connectors are not hooked properly or are plugged into the wrong terminal, it can cause harm to your bike. 

4. Setting The Charging Parameters

If you have an old bike charger, you have to manually set the voltage and charging. Most modern chargers can configure this automatically.

5. Start Charging

Once you start charging, constantly monitor the charger to see if it is charging. If you have a smart charger or float charger, you may not need to check it for a couple of hours. Overcharging or undercharging the battery can cause irreparable damage to the battery as well as the electrical system.

6. The Time It Takes To Charge

The time taken to completely charge the motorcycle battery can vary depending on the capacity and the level of charging left. Make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to charge your battery for the correct amount of time.

7. Complete Charging 

Once the battery is completely charged, it will light up the charger indicator. Most modern chargers have an auto shut-down feature that stops charging once the battery is full. If you are using a charger without this feature, you have to manually check for charging status and turn it off.

8. Disconnect And Reassemble The Battery

When the charging is complete, safely disconnect the charger from the battery. Check the manual provided by manufacturers to see how to reconnect the battery to the bike. When you reassemble the battery, make sure to connect the positive cable first and then the negative cable. The terminals must be tightly secured and connected to the necessary wires and plugs.

9. Testing The Battery

After you install the battery, make sure to test the bike to ensure the connections are secure. If you feel any turbulence on the test ride or your engine stops working, stop the bike and check again. If you can’t figure out what went wrong, contact a mechanic immediately. If you are on a road trip in a rural area, it is beneficial to ride in a group to avoid such misfortune. Here is a blog that will help you find a bike riding group in India.

10. Double-Check The Connections

After the testing is completed, you should double-check the connections after a couple of days to make sure everything is secure and functioning properly.

E] Post-Charging Maintenance

Once you charge your motorcycle it is important to schedule a regular check and maintenance. Infrequent rides and improper storage during winter and monsoon season can degrade the battery and cause leaks. Hence, it is crucial to know how to care for two wheeler battery.

Check for any signs of damage and corrosion to act as soon as possible. If you find any issues with your bike’s battery, take your bike to a technician. It can be helpful to maintain a record of when you last serviced your battery. 

Conclusion 

Keeping your bike’s battery up and running is crucial for your bike. While there are a lot of reasons why your bike’s battery may be depleted, it is always safer to know how to charge your motorcycle’s battery. Being able to safely charge your battery when you are on an adventure can save you from being stranded. 

If you are looking to maximise your safety on your bike-riding adventure, it is also crucial to be equipped with high-quality bike riding gears. Visit Bikester Global Shop today to get quality helmets, motorcycle jackets, boots and more at the best price.