How to choose the right battery charger?

It is not uncommon for a motorcycle to be unused and stored during the long winter months or even sometimes outside for lack of space under a blanket or tarpaulin. No battery could last very long and is likely to degrade much faster due to lack of "charge".

If you are facing this kind of problem, it would be easy to choose the first charger that comes along, a jump starter or use a car battery charger. The problem: you risk damaging your motorcycle's battery. To avoid this, several criteria should be taken into account beforehand to make the right choice.

Which battery for which charger?

One of the first things you should do is determine the type of battery that is installed in your motorcycle. This will initially reduce the possibilities regarding the charger to buy.

Be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer's specifications, especially on a newer motorcycle to avoid buying the wrong type of battery charger.

Among motorcycle batteries, different technologies coexist on the market. The most widespread are lead-acid batteries, sealed gel batteries and batteries Lithium/Ion.

The first type of battery is the conventional battery. It is the most widespread. This category of battery stands out par the presence of removable filler caps arranged above. It is less expensive, but needs constant and regular maintenance. The user must regularly add acid to make it functional. European legislation has prohibited the sale of this type of battery since February 2021.

The second category of drums is the maintenance free battery or waterproof. As its name suggests, this type of battery does not require any maintenance. It does not require the addition of acid. The only drawback is that its lifespan is not as long as that of the first category.

The third class of battery is that of gel motorcycle batteries. Like the previous one, it requires no maintenance. However, it does not use acid, but gel to make its electrolyte work. This allows it to withstand shaking and operate in any position without any risk of its contents spilling out. However, it is very expensive.

The fourth category of batteries generally installed on motorcycles is that of the batteries AGM. They are less expensive than moto gel batteries, but offer the same benefits. Whatever the position, the acid they contain does not flow, because absorbed and retained par fiberglass blotters placed between the electrodes.

The fifth and final type of battery used by motorcycles is the lithium battery-phosphate ion. It is one of the best. It is often installed on electronic devices and vehicles. It is lighter and less prominent than the previous ones. It is very stable, also has a longer lifespan, does not need a recharging cycle and contains no acid or gel. Stored at a good temperature, it can remain for many months without being charged.

All of the above batteries, with the exception of gel batteries, can use all types of chargers available.

Another important point, do not forget to check your battery for the following points:

The voltage or voltage: expressed in volts, it is most of the time 12 volts on most batteries. But, you can find 6 volts. This last type of battery is not compatible with all chargers;

The cold start intensity: it must also be verified. It is measured in Ampere (A) and informs about the power that your battery can provide to operate the starter;

Battery capacity in Ampere hour (Amp hour) : it provides information on the total energy reserve available to your battery. It is essential to know it. It is according to this capacity that the power of the charger to buy is determined, especially for the old categories of battery which require a low and slow intensity of charge.

Features for Motorcycle Battery Charger

If some chargers are compatible with all technologies, not all are. Similarly, some models support both 6V and 12V voltages interchangeably while others only support one or the other. Par therefore before any purchase, check the characteristics of your battery to orient yourself on a suitable charger.

Before buying your charger, check the following specificities:

Intensity: you have to be careful not to choose a car battery charger for your motorcycle. This type of charger will send too much current to your battery. Instead, choose a charger with a charging capacity proportional to 10% of the total capacity of your motorcycle battery in Ah (ampere-hours).

The price : the latter depends on the supplier, the battery charger model and the services provided. It can be between 10 and 300 euros. The difference is in performance. Some chargers have the ability to maintain and repair your motorcycle battery. Others are equipped with keying, the purpose of which is to facilitate connection.

Charging time: charging time is also important to keep your motorcycle battery healthy. This one must be a bit long. A good motorcycle battery charger will take at least 12 hours for a full charge.

The size and tightness of the charger: Few people consider this criterion important. However, if you don't have a garage and need to use the charger outdoors, it would be better to choose one that can withstand at least splashes and dust (IP65 standard). The size can also be a significant criterion to take into account when storing it or using it more easily (p.ar example, a compact charger can be placed under the bonnet of the car even when it is closed when charging).

Finally, note that the maximum charge rate should not be exceeded. Also keep in mind that the slower the charge, the more efficient it will be. You can take "intelligent chargers" which have the advantage of adapting automatically to your battery, if you do not feel able to follow these advices.

Smart (or automatic) chargers make things much simpler by automatically adapting voltage and amperage to the battery. Just choose one with an operating range compatible with the battery capacity and type.