We have been replacing a lot of batteries lately that were relatively new but went bad due to neglect and lack of proper care.
There are two basic types of batteries are conventional and sealed. Conventional batteries need to have the electrolyte level checked periodically, they have removable caps and a vent tube on the side. Sealed batteries are filled when serviced new, they do not have caps that are removable and do not need the electrolyte level checked.
Conventional Batteries. Check your acid level - there are two lines near the top of the battery. If the fluid level is between the lines, the level is ok; if the fluid level is near the lower line or below, then you will need to carefully remove the caps from the battery and fill to the proper level with distilled water avoiding any overfill. (Note: battery may need removed from bike to avoid possible paint damage. Also make sure to wear safety glasses and protective gloves when working with batteries. Make sure to wash your hands after working with batteries.) Clean the top of the battery, check cables, clamps, and case for obvious damage or loose connections. Clean terminals and connectors as necessary, check inside for excessive sediment, sulfation or mossing, make sure the vent tube is free of kinks and clogs, replace caps firmly. Finish up by testing the battery with either a hydrometer or voltmeter.
Sealed or Maintenance-Free Batteries. Clean the top of the battery, keep ing it free of grime. Check cables, clamps, and case for obvious damage or loose connections. Clean terminals and connectors as necessary. Keep the battery charged to 100%, recharging when the lights dim, the starter sounds weak, or the battery hasn't been used in more than two weeks. Finish up by testing the battery with a voltmeter. To insure maximum performance and service life for your battery, we recommended that you use either the Yuasa 1.5 Amp or 900mA Automatic Battery Charger for battery maintenance.
A battery only requires a little monthly maintenance to perform perfectly. To extend the service life of your battery, make monthly battery maintenance part of your routine.
A Battery Tender is also a inexpensive and handy tool to have. The battery tender is a maintenance tool that is used to maintain sealed and conventional batteries. They come with bolt on and clip on connectors for ease of use. All you have to do is hook the tender up to your battery after checking it over as listed above. Hook the tender up and it will charge your battery to full charge and then shift to off position until the battery needs charging again. The cost of batteries continues to go up, so if the battery tender gets you one more year out of your battery, then it has already paid for itself. Also available extra pigtails - so you can switch the tender between batteries (car, truck, boat, lawnmower, snowmobile, etc) I hope this helps you with all your batteries, so you won't need to replace them too soon. Here at Barnhart's we will test your motorcycle or ATV battery with our state-of-the-art tester and charge it, if needed, for free. Also, all the batteries we sell are serviced and charged, ready to go in to your ATV or motorcycle. You won't find that with every dealer.
Craig Greenwood
Service Manager