Battery Question

Battery chargers for 6volt motorcycle batteries generally need to have a very low output or they damage batteries. For car use you need a charger which is rated at about 4 to 6 amps, this will be safe to leave on overnight, for instance. For motorcycle 6v batteries you might only need a maximium half amp output. Unless you spend a lot you won't get a really suitable dual purpose one.

Why do you need a charger? If the vehicle is in regular, normal use the battery should stay charged on its own.

mrcheerful

I got a nice little black one from Halfords that has two buttons:

It appears to charge any car battery up, so far. Be it a 1.4 or a

Just looking at Halfords Website it looks like this is the one:

Halfords Automatic Battery Charger Item code: 370825-0 Price £29.99 (inc. VAT)

"" Fully automatic battery charger Safeguards battery against overcharging Automatically switches between charging and maintenance mode delivering peak battery performance Suitable for petrol and diesel cars and vans, 12v motorcycles and deep cycle leisure batteries Suitable for all 12V automotive lead acid and deep cycle leisure batteries, gel and absorbed glass matt batteries Extra features for safer charging including no power in the clips until both are connected to the battery ""

So you just select CAR/MOTORCYCLE, Turn the unit on, put the red clip on the red battery terminal and the blue clip on the blue terminal and then leave it. When my Rover 214Si's alternator died I just stuck the battery on charge in the kitchen overnight with this charger and by morning it was fully charged. (Then I went and bought a new alternator!)

Also useful if you leave the lights on all day by mistake.

--Nick.

it should be just fine,

the battery chargers are in different flavours so if you only need one for a small battery you only need buy a slightly cheaper one. I have a huge one here I use for big leisure batteries and my land rover battery but it's just as happy with the little battery on my wifes saab.

Regards. Mark.(AKA, Mr.Nice.)

Ignore the engine size, that has nowt to do with it.

If you want the best look for an Optimate Charger. These can safely be left connected to the battery for long periods, as these simulate normal driving conditions. These are also very popular among motorcyclists that don't ride in the winter.

It doesn't do 6v...

If you read my post you would have seen Halford's description:

"Suitable for all 12V automotive lead acid and deep cycle leisure batteries, gel and absorbed glass matt batteries"

I suggest you take the matter up with them.

--Nick.

I would suggest that connecting the charger, _before_ switching on is a wee bit safer. :-) Mike.

Surely the vast majority of bikes have been 12V for about 20 years or more now?

Steve

They are, although there are still a few 6v one's around - usually little bikes under 125cc.

Many small 2-strokes with kickstart but no electric start are still 6v.

Nothing. It'll charge OK. What it means is that its capable of charging larger batteries.

To be honest, its nothing more than salespeak. All car battery chargers will charge any car battery regardless of size...it may just take longer.

Not so - the expensive item is the transformer. Unless a switch mode type.

Haven't checked their latest range. The one I have is a few years old and was certainly described as being for a certain size engine. And it is certainly regulated. I'd be amazed if any weren't - you'd need to provide a fuse for the output, and that could cost as much.

From: Tim \(Remove NOSPAM. ( snipped-for-privacy@NOSPAMbtinternet.com) Subject: Re: Renault 21 warm start

View this article only Newsgroups: uk.rec.cars.maintenance Date: 2004-11-12 00:55:02 PST

Usually no. The heat soak after the engine has stopped results in a higher temperature, and the sensors usually fail open circuit, so its a case of a proper spark or no spark at all.

As amplitute is related to engine speed, a faulty sensor will often allow the engine to keep running as the higher voltage (aroound 10v at idle, upto

A quick check is to induce a non start situation then spray the sensor with a cooling spray (brake cleaner willdo) If the engine will immediately start - you have found the problem

Tim..

Tim,

Thanks very much for your comments, with Renault spares prices verging on the rediculous, I just wanted to make sure. I replaced the sensor Friday week ago and I've never had the problem again.

Thanks again, Marie

You're used to decent transformers, the ones inside car battery chargers are very cheap. & the price of caps & a 6A regulators going to exceed the price of them. Although the odd thing is you ought to be able to make really cheap switch mode regulated ones ,ala the dichroic bulb transformers, Not seen one yet though.

Where does that say it will charge a 6V motorcyle then?

I don't think it does say it will charge a 6V motorcyle, does it?

--Nick.

"Nick"

Not much torque on a 6V bike . . .

:-)

-- Steveski

But that's what the OP wanted......