Using a battery charger

Darith

I have to recharge a YB14L-A2 battery which has gone down to 11.84v. I got a lend of a battery charger which specifies a minimum of 20ah plus the output is 4 a dc( 6a rms). However the specs on the battery recommend a charge current of 1.4 amp since it is a 14 ah battery. Is it safe to use this battery charger ?

Pkiernan

This charger would technically charge your battery in approx 3 hours.

The output of the charger is higher than the battery manufacturer specifies, and therefore it is not recommended that you use the charger you have borrowed.

In the worst case, it could charge your battery too quickly and cause it to explode.

If the battery is not sealed - that is you can unscrew the caps for each cell - you should be alright IF you charge the battery for an hour at at time. Then check the charge.

I would be sure to do it outside, and I would only plug in the charger once the caps have been removed and the clamps of the charger connected to the battery posts.

After an hour I would then unplug the charger from the wall before removing the clamps and replacing the caps.

If the battery is sealed, I wouldn't charge it with the charger you have.

Chippy01

The charger you borrowed is too strong for your bike battery. It is more suited for a car.
Dedicated bike battery chargers generally output 1 amp or lower, which won't cook your battery like that 4 amp will.
If you have to use that charger, check the state of charge in the battery every 1/2 hour.
If this works for you to get you out of an immediate hole, keep in mind that it might shorten the life of your battery.

Darith

Pkiernan wrote: »

This charger would technically charge your battery in approx 3 hours.

The output of the charger is higher than the battery manufacturer specifies, and therefore it is not recommended that you use the charger you have borrowed.

In the worst case, it could charge your battery too quickly and cause it to explode.

If the battery is not sealed - that is you can unscrew the caps for each cell - you should be alright IF you charge the battery for an hour at at time. Then check the charge.

I would be sure to do it outside, and I would only plug in the charger once the caps have been removed and the clamps of the charger connected to the battery posts.

After an hour I would then unplug the charger from the wall before removing the clamps and replacing the caps.

If the battery is sealed, I wouldn't charge it with the charger you have.

Chippy01 wrote: »

The charger you borrowed is too strong for your bike battery. It is more suited for a car.
Dedicated bike battery chargers generally output 1 amp or lower, which won't cook your battery like that 4 amp will.
If you have to use that charger, check the state of charge in the battery every 1/2 hour.
If this works for you to get you out of an immediate hole, keep in mind that it might shorten the life of your battery.

I can get a 2 amp charger or should i go out and buy a 0.5amp trickle charger ?

Pkiernan

Darith wrote: »

I can get a 2 amp charger or should i go out and buy a 0.5amp trickle charger ?

With a 0.5 amp charger, you will be there literally all day trying to charge your battery.

A 2 amp charger should do you fine.

Biglad

Why not invest in a motorcycle (trickle) charger and wire the harness on to the bike so you can plug in when the bike is not in use. (permitting that you ahve a mains outlet near the bike).

Darith

Just bought a trickle 1.25 amp charger from Halfords which is working fine.