Motorcycle Battery - Filling & Charging

[Murpheeee]

Shopping for a new battery for my bike and was shocked at prices. Decided to get one online at Dennis Kirk which was much cheaper. (DK $27, Sears $99)

They ship it dry so I need to fill it with electrolyte and charge it up.
I have never filled one before and the instructions are not very detailed.

On the side of the battery top there is a small spout facing down with a rubber seal on it. I assume this is an air vent for when you are filling it up?

Do you reseal this before charging the battery or is it needed for venting the bubbling electrolyte?

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Murpheeee
Shopping for a new battery for my bike and was shocked at prices. Decided to get one online at Dennis Kirk which was much cheaper. (DK $27, Sears $99)

They ship it dry so I need to fill it with electrolyte and charge it up.
I have never filled one before and the instructions are not very detailed.

On the side of the battery top there is a small spout facing down with a rubber seal on it. I assume this is an air vent for when you are filling it up?

Do you reseal this before charging the battery or is it needed for venting the bubbling electrolyte?

I let those gases vent. It's a hydrogen thing.....

 

That hose is a vent for the Hydrogen gasses that are produced when the battery is being charged.
To fill, remove threaded caps on top, fill each cell with electrolyte until it reaches the top of the plates or the "Full" line on the side of the battery, replace caps and slow charge with no more than two amps for several hours.

 

[Murpheeee]

thanks Roger

So I assume the cap goes back on the vent once the charging is complete?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Murpheeee
thanks Roger

So I assume the cap goes back on the vent once the charging is complete?

NO! There should be a hose that attaches to this vent (at least, there is on my bike) which will direct the vented gasses to wherever they are supposed to be. Even if you do not have a vent hose, you should _not_ cap the vent again.

ZV

 

Zem is correct, the gasses cannot vent if the hose is plugged, this will causes sulphuric acid to leak onto your bike and or you.

 

[wolf papa]

and the hose should be directed so that the fumes (gas) don't come into contact with any paint or chrome.

A trickle charger is well worth the investment. Also, bike batteries generally DON'T last as long as car batteries - keep an eye on the water level (use distilled water) and you may get more use out of it, but most of the people I know that ride put in a fresh battery each spring.