Idling to charge battery. How long?

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Aug 1, 2019 | 02:24 PM

Kayakeur

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Joined: May 2014

Posts: 299

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From: Eastern foothills of Shenandoah Mountains, Virginia

Idling to charge battery. How long?

1999 EVO Heritage.
I want to idle the beast to charge battery. Been sitting a few weeks. I have an injury that i cant ride for couple weeks.
How long, minutes, will it take to put a good charge on battery? I dont want to harm engine with long idle time.

Aug 1, 2019 | 02:50 PM

RLH3175

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 3,428

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From: Texas

I know that Idling to charge the battery on my 96 classic will not work, You can get a battery tender/charger for about 20 bucks and keep it charged.

Aug 1, 2019 | 02:52 PM

texashillcountry

Dirt don't hurt

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 21,065

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From: Haslet Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLH3175

I know that Idling to charge the battery on my 96 classic will not work, You can get a battery tender/charger for about 20 bucks and keep it charged.

Don't try and idle charge your battery get a tender!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aug 1, 2019 | 02:57 PM

harley roadking

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 122

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From: N.E. Pa

Idle

Depending on idling rpm it could take as long as three hours if at all. The stator is not putting out enough amperage to equal what is needed to fire the plugs. The other problem is the damage to the engine when the oil is not hot enough to burn of contaminants.

Aug 1, 2019 | 02:59 PM

BelchFire

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Joined: Jun 2018

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From: Below the Gnat Line

I wouldn't idle my bike for long periods of time without a HUGE box fan on the engine.

Aug 1, 2019 | 03:07 PM

TSheff

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 11,322

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From: SE Texas

Too Long - Don't do it.

Aug 1, 2019 | 03:26 PM

Sorce

Tourer

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 278

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From: Berwyn Il

Bad idea. I read you ain't posed to idle more than 10 minutes.

Get that trickler.

I'm trying to get that YAK out! Bass!

Sorce

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Aug 1, 2019 | 03:41 PM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 6,085

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From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayakeur

It is an air cooled motorcycle.
With no movement there is NO air.
So prolonged idle would increase engine temps.
The greatest discharge takes place at start-up and the greatest amount of amps is most times created above idle so the situation that you present is not ideal.
At best a surface charge will be initiated with idle beyond warm-up.
The best practice would be to use a battery tender. Deltran is one brand.
For under $30 USA dollars the bike would remain charged with such a charger if battery is OK and if you have AC power available.
If stored in a location with no power available then a solar unit would be another option.
Many many years ago i had a situation with no access to power or sun at bike storage.
Resorted to using a boat battery with a voltage inverter to a Deltran battery tender and then connected to bike.
I had the items available and would wheel my bag of stuff on a little cart out to bike storage about once a month and got battery fully charged overnight.
Then used the Deltran to charge the boat battery when i wheeled the setup back home.
The security was the parasitic drain.