20-10-12, 09:49 PM
Batteries (of the classic lead-acid variety) loose about 2 percent of charge per day (1percent if its a new GEL or AGM battery)
They don't like being fully discharged (ie - don't leave it for 3 months)
They REALLY hate having lots of current taken out of them when they're nearly discharged (ie - don't attempt to start the bike with a flat battery).
They also don't like being over-charged.
Problem is ,to treat it properly whether you have it on of off the bike you need either an optimate or similar (and beware imitations) or you need to understand the science of batteries.
Basically:
They DO like being float-charged at 13.8V.
If you let it go above 14.3 volts for more than a few hours it will die slowly.
If you let it drop below 11.8V for more than a few days it will die fast.
If you charge it with more than 1 amp it will die slowly (but that only applies if its nearly fully charged)
If you treat it properly it will last 10 years.
As an example ... My Ford Fiesta battery dates from 1998 and its still good.
They don't like being fully discharged (ie - don't leave it for 3 months)
They REALLY hate having lots of current taken out of them when they're nearly discharged (ie - don't attempt to start the bike with a flat battery).
They also don't like being over-charged.
Problem is ,to treat it properly whether you have it on of off the bike you need either an optimate or similar (and beware imitations) or you need to understand the science of batteries.
Basically:
They DO like being float-charged at 13.8V.
If you let it go above 14.3 volts for more than a few hours it will die slowly.
If you let it drop below 11.8V for more than a few days it will die fast.
If you charge it with more than 1 amp it will die slowly (but that only applies if its nearly fully charged)
If you treat it properly it will last 10 years.
As an example ... My Ford Fiesta battery dates from 1998 and its still good.