Conditioning a new battery before first start
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,170
From: SE Michigan
Conditioning a new battery before first start
I just got me a new Big Crank battery. I've got a 3A Battery Tender Plus.
Anything special I should do other than just connect it to the tender until its charged before I ride with the new battery? I thought I read somewhere that it shortens the life of the battery if you just pop it in and ride.
Anything special I should do other than just connect it to the tender until its charged before I ride with the new battery? I thought I read somewhere that it shortens the life of the battery if you just pop it in and ride.
Last edited by Keithhu; Jun 1, 2016 at 12:11 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
I always give a new battery a good saturation charge before using. Haven't been let down yet. I would let it charge for at least 9 hours and you should be good to go. (26Ah battery \ 3amp charger =8.6 hours)
Last edited by tibadoe; Jun 1, 2016 at 12:17 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
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From: Malaysia
That's a good tip.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Yes, a new battery should be fully charged before 1st use.
I've heard it said that if you use a new battery that's not fully charged to start a vehicle that the battery will never charge any higher than that initial charge point. I don't know if it's true or not. It doesn't sound right to me but batteries can be temperamental beasts and I'm far from a battery expert.
I've heard it said that if you use a new battery that's not fully charged to start a vehicle that the battery will never charge any higher than that initial charge point. I don't know if it's true or not. It doesn't sound right to me but batteries can be temperamental beasts and I'm far from a battery expert.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
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From: St.Louis Mo.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
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From: Utah
Kieth,
I imagine your new battery is a factory activated AGM so it will be interesting to hear if it was fully charged, or close to it when you hook it up to the charger.
A while back I posted this in a discussion on the same subject. Copy and paste from Yuasa and HD site. If memory serves me right, the batteries that came dry and you added the electrolyte were the ones that could suffer if put into service without charging first.
"Most Yuasa AGM batteries are available either “factory
activated” or as a dry battery with an acid pack. A “factory
activated” battery does not require filling before installation.
An extensive activation process ensures complete absorption
of the electrolyte so no liquid acid is contained within the
battery. This process allows these batteries to be shipped from
the factory ready to install. The GYZ and YTZ series batteries
are only available as “factory activated”.
From HDJ01575 Battery installation:
General Battery Information
All Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are permanently
sealed, maintenance-free, valve-regulated, lead/calcium and
sulfuric acid batteries. The batteries are shipped pre-charged
and ready to be put into service. Do not attempt to open these
batteries for any reason."
I'm glad Rockout mentioned the Yuasa brand, I went to their site and read most of the Tech. Manual and All About Batteries section, it will be a great reference for the future.
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/TechManual_2014.pdf
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/index.php
I imagine your new battery is a factory activated AGM so it will be interesting to hear if it was fully charged, or close to it when you hook it up to the charger.
A while back I posted this in a discussion on the same subject. Copy and paste from Yuasa and HD site. If memory serves me right, the batteries that came dry and you added the electrolyte were the ones that could suffer if put into service without charging first.
"Most Yuasa AGM batteries are available either “factory
activated” or as a dry battery with an acid pack. A “factory
activated” battery does not require filling before installation.
An extensive activation process ensures complete absorption
of the electrolyte so no liquid acid is contained within the
battery. This process allows these batteries to be shipped from
the factory ready to install. The GYZ and YTZ series batteries
are only available as “factory activated”.
From HDJ01575 Battery installation:
General Battery Information
All Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are permanently
sealed, maintenance-free, valve-regulated, lead/calcium and
sulfuric acid batteries. The batteries are shipped pre-charged
and ready to be put into service. Do not attempt to open these
batteries for any reason."
I'm glad Rockout mentioned the Yuasa brand, I went to their site and read most of the Tech. Manual and All About Batteries section, it will be a great reference for the future.
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/TechManual_2014.pdf
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/index.php
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 1,992
From: Vancouver BC
Unless you know for SURE that your battery was fully charged from the factory within a few weeks of you purchasing it, I would always slow charge it to capacity before pulling current from it.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,170
From: SE Michigan
Yeah, I'm not riding tonight, so I'm going to let it charge overnight, should be fine.
