AGM Battery Prep.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 265
Likes: 128
From: Westchester NY
AGM Battery Prep.
Hey guys, so last season I purchased a cheap AGM battery on eBay (brand was "Niche"). Battery had to be filled with the acid pack and then charged. Now, I charged it with a trickle charger that didn't have a setting for amps.
So battery worked fine most days, however when the outside temperature dropped below 55°F, I had to remove the battery, put it on the charger, and then it would start the bike. I had since gotten rid of it as it made chilly mornings impossible.
My question is this, could I have messed up the battery during preparation? Does it need to be charged at low amps before being put in the bike? Alternatively, can I skip the charging stage, and put it in the bike after filling the acid? I'll be looking for a quality battery this time around.
So battery worked fine most days, however when the outside temperature dropped below 55°F, I had to remove the battery, put it on the charger, and then it would start the bike. I had since gotten rid of it as it made chilly mornings impossible.
My question is this, could I have messed up the battery during preparation? Does it need to be charged at low amps before being put in the bike? Alternatively, can I skip the charging stage, and put it in the bike after filling the acid? I'll be looking for a quality battery this time around.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 265
Likes: 128
From: Westchester NY
Here's a listing to it:
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Some AGMs do get sold this way. Even a few of the better ones from what I've seen anyway. The reasoning behind it is you know its a fresh battery as you could supposedly get one that's sat on a shelf for 3 years.
That said, NEVER skimp on a cheap, no name battery. It senseless. You get what you pay for. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and don't make the same mistake again.
That said, NEVER skimp on a cheap, no name battery. It senseless. You get what you pay for. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and don't make the same mistake again.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 265
Likes: 128
From: Westchester NY
I figured that was the root cause to begin with. Either way, is there a specific charger I'm supposed to use? Can I use a standard trickle charger when getting that first charge? Or can I just put the battery in and let it charge up when I ride?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,921
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From: poway
Don't use a trickle charger on a AGM battery. It will dry out the mat and kill the battery. Get a good smart charger.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
You do have to make sure it has enough of a charge initially to start the bike. Once it gets so low it might turn over still but won't fire. Had that happen once. I'd say your problem was a battery not worth a crap in the first place. I doubt putting it on a trickle charge for awhile caused it. Of course it depends what you mean by trickle charge and for how long.
