Poor Neglected Battery

[636BlueBeast]

Okay, so I stored my bike for the winter about 2 months ago. I took the battery out and stored it in my basement on a plastic shelving unit. However, as I do not have tender/charger its been sitting there for 2 months without use . Yes I know I have neglected my poor battery. The reason I neglected it was because i figured I would be replacing it anyways in the new season as its reasonably old. But I need to stop spending money needlessly... so I was wondering if my battery can be resurrected (assuming its dead ). Would just hooking up a charger/tender from now be sufficient? I would assume it wouldnt make it the rest of the season without one, lets say till april.

Any input would be appreciated,

Thanks

[clarkmanning]

Buy the battery tender regardless. They are only about forty bucks. You will use it on your new battery also when you don't ride very often. Your present battery may be Ok to be recharged. Your new battery when you buy it, will last at least twice as long if you use the battery tender.

[rrzxter]

I grabbed this one for $20 just before last winter and it seems to do the trick.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99857

[636BlueBeast]

Originally Posted by rrzxter

I grabbed this one for $20 just before last winter and it seems to do the trick.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99857

That thing sounds perfect i wonder if i can find one in Canada... yes Im a canadian the shipping from them to me is 26.95 US haha.

but you think simply hooking up a trickler after 2+ months of no use revive the old beast?

[rrzxter]

I've never had a battery completely die and then have it take a full charge after being dead a long time, if it took a charge at all. Was the battery on it's way out already and now it's completely dead from sitting? The tender is good to have even if you get a new battery. I'm sure you could find one at any auto parts, dept store, tractor supply, etc.

[rrzxter]

You can take it to just about any auto parts place and have it tested to see if it's worth bothering with.

[636BlueBeast]

Originally Posted by rrzxter

I've never had a battery completely die and then have it take a full charge after being dead a long time, if it took a charge at all. Was the battery on it's way out already and now it's completely dead from sitting? The tender is good to have even if you get a new battery. I'm sure you could find one at any auto parts, dept store, tractor supply, etc.

Yea it seemed okay lights werent dim, no struggle starting up it has been running well i just cant remember how long the last owner said he had it for.
Your right about the tender i gotta get one i know... Good point about the parts dealer to test ill forsure do that before buying a new one.

[zaneyzrex]

make sure its full of distilled water
leave caps off
put on charger over night at 2 amp
put caps on
have it load tested
if passes load test
put it in bike and ride....
look at battery... do you see white residue built up on the plates (you can see it thru the sides of battery (unless its a black battery case)
if its clear and you see sulfacation the battery is done .....
good luck

[636BlueBeast]

Originally Posted by zaneyzrex

make sure its full of distilled water
leave caps off
put on charger over night at 2 amp
put caps on
have it load tested
if passes load test
put it in bike and ride....
look at battery... do you see white residue built up on the plates (you can see it thru the sides of battery (unless its a black battery case)
if its clear and you see sulfacation the battery is done .....
good luck

okay so lol drain the acid, then fill with distilled water? charge at 2 amp over night as in 8 hours?

[Shifty1]

Have the battery tested before buying new. It may be salvageable.

[ladiesluvjimmy]

Originally Posted by Shifty1

Have the battery tested before buying new. It may be salvageable.

yeah! i went and bought a new battery because i thought the one in my bike was gone. I been messing with the 2/4/6 smart charger from black and decker and somehow it charged my battery enough for it to start up the bike. Its been sitting in my garage for 3-4 months being neglected also and i've been trying to get the her started with no luck. So in my opinion try playing around with it before purchasing a new battery.

[zaneyzrex]

Originally Posted by 636BlueBeast

okay so lol drain the acid, then fill with distilled water? charge at 2 amp over night as in 8 hours?

lol NO.... you dont add ACID if its already been filled you add DISTILLED water and if its been sitting the water evaps off.....

the new battery needs a proper charge before putting it in the bike also - fill, caps off, 2amp over night, put in bike and ride.... if its still not starting then ya start figuring out whats missing.... fuel, spark, air, comprssion ??

[636BlueBeast]

Originally Posted by zaneyzrex

lol NO.... you dont add ACID if its already been filled you add DISTILLED water and if its been sitting the water evaps off.....

the new battery needs a proper charge before putting it in the bike also - fill, caps off, 2amp over night, put in bike and ride.... if its still not starting then ya start figuring out whats missing.... fuel, spark, air, comprssion ??

Everything in the bike is fine no trouble starting during the riding season up here. If there is any trouble starting up it would be the battery I believe. Im going to give this a shot this weekend and hopefully the poor old battery works.

ive seen alot of people using the 2/4/6 B+D charger is this a good one? i liked the look of this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99857 as its 1.5 for just weekly trickling. I really just want one with an indicator that tells me when to pop it off.

[636BlueBeast]

ill just take it to a parts store test the battery, if it works buy the charger and follow zaney's instructions and hopefully be good to go. If it doesnt work just buy a new one and get a charger for next season lol :(

Thanks all appreciate it i think i can attack the situation now

[rrzxter]

You can leave a trickle charger hooked up all winter. I don't remember the exact voltages for mine but it charges when the voltage drops to a certain point and cuts off on it's own when it gets up to a certain point.

[636BlueBeast]

Yea thats what i need ill go hunting for one this weekend hopefully find a good one. Just up in Canada all we have is Canadian Tire for parts and its all cheap garbage haha im kidding (well not really) ... ill just have to trek out GP Bikes (great cycle store) *Oh canada how you let me down in terms of product availability* sigh!

[636BlueBeast]

Haha, funny thing i actually was just browsing this forum and saw an add for a "CTEK" battery charger that says the best battery charger in the world AVAILABLE AT CANADIAN TIRE haha... my face is red

[636BlueBeast]

hey guys, check out this: http://www.ctek.com/EN-US/Buy-US-Charger.aspx

the US800 seems like a good choice?>

[rrzxter]

For $50, I'd want way more info and warranty info than what was posted.

[636BlueBeast]

Originally Posted by rrzxter

For $50, I'd want way more info and warranty info than what was posted.

True, its just from general shopping around all the chargers ive seen are a around 50$ up here.