BATTERY MAINTENANCE 101
Nothing is worse than going to start your favorite powersports toy and it does nothing. You’ve got a zero battery life and zero fun. This is why it is vital to keep your battery regularly maintained.
If you want your battery to last long, you have to properly care for it. It has to be in good working condition if you want to take more trips on your machine. Batteries typically last a minimum of three to a maximum of four years if they are well-maintained.
You do not have to be a trained technician to know how to care for your battery; you only have to know what to do and what not to do to keep it working well. Of course, it’s always better if a professional is there to do the work for you, but knowing what to do if a professional is not available will be a big help.
Ensuring the proper maintenance of your battery is not only about charging it when needed, but it is also about understanding what to do and what not to do.
Battery Do’s and Don'ts
1. Charging
Do:
If you are not going to use your battery for several weeks or months, remove it from your machine. Store it in a safe, warm, and dry place. This is typically what happens in the winter season, when everything outside is practically frozen because of the wintry weather. Your battery recharges automatically when the machine is in use.
Don’t:
Never ever leave your battery in your machine if you know that you will not ride your bike for several weeks or months. If you leave it in your unused machine, it will not recharge, which can significantly cut battery life, especially if the machine is left out in the cold.
2. Storage
Do:
As mentioned above, after removing it from the machine when not in use, your battery should be stored in a safe, dry place. The storage area should be at least 32°F warm. Ensure that it is protected from the cold weather, so it does not crack or freeze.
Place your battery on surfaces made of thick cardboard, plastic, wood, or anything non-conductive.
Don’t:
Do not store your battery in a cold room. Additionally, keep it away from storage with metal or concrete surfaces. Placing them in such areas will discharge the battery faster.
3. Charging
Do:
Even if it is in storage, never forget to charge your battery. Charging batteries regularly is one way of prolonging their life.
If you can, find an intelligent or smart battery charger. This kind of charger allows automatic activation of the charging mode and prevents overcharging.
Don’t:
Although there are now chargers that can be used for both cars and motorcycles, it is still safer for you not to use car battery chargers. You can never be too careful when it comes to choosing the right and compatible charger for your machine's battery.