The starting point is to differentiate between the two prominent battery chemistries used for motorcycles, and how they generate electricity.
Lead-acid (Pb)
This includes AGM (Advance Glass Mat), MF (Maintenance Free) and Gel, all of which contain lead plates and diluted sulphuric acid (AKA electrolyte). Power is generated through a chemical reaction at the surface of the plates, but two other things happen as a result. Lead-sulphate is produced and the electrolyte loses acidity (weakens).
Sulphate binds with the lead plates to form a soft snowflakelike crystal, called lead-sulphate. When the bike's engine is running, the battery recharges and the electricity flowing in reverses the chemical process, breaking up the lead-sulphate. This returns to the electrolyte and increases the acidity.
Providing your motorcycle is ridden regularly, for a reasonable amount of time and at highway speeds, things should be fine. However, if your bike is parked up for several days, weeks or even months at a time, it will gradually self-discharge, producing lead-sulphate. Over time, the sulphate will harden on the lead plates and eventually create a barrier, which stops the weakened electrolyte from reacting with the lead. At which point the battery is dead.
Since a fully-charged battery has no lead-sulphate, using a basic charger-maintainer, like the OptiMate 1 Duo, will top up anything lost through selfdischarge. Simply connect to the battery when the bike is stored and it will automatically do the rest.
Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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