We all know that motorcycle batteries need continuous charge maintenance, or constant topping off, so that the battery remains healthy and ready to start the engine when needed.
Both lead-acid and Lithium batteries benefit from continuous or frequent maintenance charging - simply put, the batteries will remain stronger for longer.
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| OptiMate O-124 |
Lead-acid batteries (AGM, GEL and STD wet cell) self-discharge even without being hooked up to circuitry - the batteries use their own energy just to stay alive. During discharge lead-sulphate is generated, nasty stuff that likes to crystalise if the battery is not recharged soon enough, and then that battery becomes more difficult to recharge.
To avoid compromising longevity it's best to recharge before the charge level drops below 50%. In any case, below 50% all lead-acid batteries deliver fewer cranking amps, so it pays to keep them charged.
Lithium (LiFePO4/Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) starter batteries self-discharge way less than lead-acid, use less of their own energy to stay alive and can deliver maximum power right down to 10% charge, but as their capacity is on average three times less than the equivalent lead-acid battery, in a stored vehicle they will discharge quicker.
Fortunately, nothing nasty is generated during discharge, essentially lithium ions move from cathode (negative) to anode (positive) through the electrolyte and during recharge the direction is reversed - the cathode (negative plate) gets its lithium back from the anode (positive plate).
It is, however, essential that there's always a minimum level of lithium at either cathode and anode otherwise they become vulnerable and start breaking down. In realistic terms that means as long as the battery's charge level is between 30% and 100%, longevity and performance will not be compromised.
There are, of course, times when it is impossible to hook up a maintenance charger to the battery, maybe the vehicle owner's storage area does not have power, or multiple vehicles are in storage and typically there are not enough power outlets. Then, in a dealer's showroom dozens of chargers and cables lying around or hanging from the motorcycles create a trip hazard - but being unable to fire up the engine of that motorcycle the customer is so excited about, can dampen or even kill the sale.
That's where OptiMate Monitors can help. Wired or connected to the vehicle they are out of the way, yet still able to indicate state of charge in the blink of an LED. Three LEDs indicate state of charge, green is great, and no charge needed; yellow is still good, maybe recharge soon; red means low battery, recharge now.
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| OptiMate O-127 |
The LED corresponding to charge level blinks every few seconds, reducing draw from the battery to a miserly 0.2 milli-amps. When charging is required, flip open the SAE charge port and hook up an OptiMate battery charger, or fire up the engine.
Once fired up, the LED mode changes to indicate if the charging system is working right, or in the case of Lithium batteries that do not like to be overcharged, a warning light will blink furiously if charge voltage exceeds 14.6V.
The O-124 is ideal for all 12V lead-acid batteries, including AGM, GEL and STD wet cell. The 4th LED indicates the higher voltage that AGM batteries can hold.
The O-127 is ideal for 12.8V Lithium Ferrous Phosphate batteries. The 4th LED indicates if charge voltage exceeds the safe level of 14.6V.
Both monitors come with OptiMate's unique dual size rings, able to fit battery posts ranging from M6 (1/4") to M8 (5/16"). For dealers that want to fit these smart leads to vehicles at PDI, both come in a jar of 20.
For vehicles with lead-acid batteries that have a battery lead with SAE connector pre-fitted, the O-125 is ideal. The O-126 plugs directly into a 12V auto size socket that remains live during storage, e.g. KTM adventure motorcycles.
TECMATE
www.tecmate.com
www.optimate1.com
