Trickle Charger Overcharging?

Message

TK · #1 Unread post by TK » Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:27 am

Hi, new here! Nice, great site!

I bought a new trickle charger on flea-bay with auto-shut-off here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcyc ... dZViewItem

I installed it Friday on the motorcycle (it is a 12 volt battery,) and yesterday (Sunday) checked it. I could hear the battery sizzling and slightly bubbling.

Would you say that due to what I am hearing that the charger is not shutting off?

Thanks,
TK

TK · #2 Unread post by TK » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:08 am

I e-mailed this this:

Hi,
I have a question concerning the battery charger I purchased off of you detailed in this e-mail.
I put the charger on my motorcycle 12 volt battery a couple days ago and made sure the charger was on 12 volt. Today I went out to the cycle and while on my knees I was checking the oil level which is near the battery. I could hear a bubbling sound and so put my ear near the battery and could hear the noise coming from there. Is it possible that the charger is over charging the battery? It sounded like it was hissing and bubbling. The battery is a sealed battery.

Thanks!
-------------------

And this is their e-mail reply I just got a couple minutes ago:

No, it is not possible that this battery charger is overcharging because it's a simple rectifier that has a maximum charging rate of .5 amps. We have no other comment since we have no idea as to what condition your battery is in.

Diane

------------------

So, according to the above from Diane, even though I'm hearing sizzling and bubbling coming from the battery when it is charging it is not possible it is over charging? By the way, it is a brand new sealed battery.

Shorts · #3 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:17 pm

From the ad:

Why pay $40 for a so-called "Tender" that does the same thing?

Because a Battery Tender doesn't make the battery sizzle. $40 is less than most batteries cost. You'll recoup the money in 1year (as if $40 is "expensive"). Now you paid $20 plus shipping...and you'll need to buy a new battery...plus..well, I wouldn't use that thing again. What brand is that anyway?

Ditch that thing you have if it's destroying your battery and buy a good name brand charger. (I like the Battery Tender).

flynrider · #4 Unread post by **flynrider** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 2:12 pm

No, it is not possible that this battery charger is overcharging because it's a simple rectifier that has a maximum charging rate of .5 amps.

If the battery charger is not automatically shutting itself off (which is what sounds like is happening), then continuing to charge a fully charged battery at .5 amps will cause problems. The maximum charging rate mentioned by Diane is a red herring.

TK · #5 Unread post by TK » Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:21 am

Thanks a lot guys!
Looks like I will be getting a better battery Tender.

Is there a specific brand on e-bay you like that is a battery tender?
There is Schumacher and CTEK

TK

JCS · #6 Unread post by **JCS** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:26 am

Battery Tender is the brand name. They have several models and are widely available. Good stuff.

Chris8187 · #7 Unread post by **Chris8187** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:39 am

Get the Battery Tender Jr. There is usually no need for something bigger if you only use it to keep your battery fully charged and only have one battery to charge.

TK · #8 Unread post by TK » Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:31 am

Thanks for the great tips, guys. I'm getting the Battery Tender based upon your posts and research after reading your recs.

Maybe future cyclists will search this out and see your recommendations.

TK

Shorts · #9 Unread post by **Shorts** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:54 pm

Chris8187 wrote:Get the Battery Tender Jr. There is usually no need for something bigger if you only use it to keep your battery fully charged and only have one battery to charge.

+1

If you have the battery hooked up abytime the bike is not being ridden, the Jr. will do you just fine.

Enjoy the BT - it's easy, no fuss, certainty that your bike will start (if it doesn't its from other issues besides battery)

tim conroy · Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:24 pm

A battery charger will shut off at 14.5 volts by itself and remain giving .5 amps more.Check your battery with a meter and it should read 12.6 volts after being off the charger for a couple of hours.there is no need to keep the charger on overnight on a good battery.Get a good meter.My battery is brand new and meadure 12.5 volts fully charged after sitting for 2 days and 12.6 after sitting for 3 hours after riding.A battery will bubble and make noise but it is not hurting any at all.Do a google sarch on batteries and you will learn a lot.I just went through all this with my bike.