Unsealed vs sealed batteries, tech question
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
Unsealed vs sealed batteries, tech question
I got stranded yesterday, due to a battery that died. In getting a new one, the only one the shop had was an unsealed battery. They added the acid, let it mix and then it took about 6 hours to get almost 100% charged. I had to hit the road so I pulled it of the charger and put it in and rode off. The charger wasn't ever totally signaling completely full charge. But it fired up fine. Did I make a mistake? Do these unsealed batteries have memory and NEED to be charged 100% the first time? What if I didn't? I did ride for about 4 hours after, so it was charging then. Can I get comments on this?
Also, if I had been able to buy a sealed battery (which is what I replaced) would I have had to charge it up first like this? I know with sealed car batteries, you don't have to. What about bike batteries?
Thanks
Also, if I had been able to buy a sealed battery (which is what I replaced) would I have had to charge it up first like this? I know with sealed car batteries, you don't have to. What about bike batteries?
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 466
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
I did the same thing with an unsealed battery and it was dead less than a month later.
As far as the sealed batteries go, I've only had one that took more than a few minutes to reach fully charged right out of the box. I always put them on the tender before I use it for the first time.
As far as the sealed batteries go, I've only had one that took more than a few minutes to reach fully charged right out of the box. I always put them on the tender before I use it for the first time.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
I'm not sure but I don't think motorcycle batteries have fluids in them anymore...aren't most suspended electrolyte gel cells. I thought the idea was not to have acid (fluids) so if you dumped the bike on the side you wouldn't have acid pouring out.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
there are all kinds of advantages to the common AGM ( absorbed glass mat) batteries, and they give a longer service life with less venting of hydrogen when charging ( bang!) and less acidic fumes eating the finish off the frame.
any battery will give longest service life if 100% charged ( charger- not "tender") before use.
OP, you did what you had to did.
use the battery you have until it poops, then get an AGM
get some distilled water and do check the level once in a while, make sure the drain tube is long enough so that any acid drips are clear of the bike
mike
any battery will give longest service life if 100% charged ( charger- not "tender") before use.
OP, you did what you had to did.
use the battery you have until it poops, then get an AGM
get some distilled water and do check the level once in a while, make sure the drain tube is long enough so that any acid drips are clear of the bike
mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 19
From: Ashland Ohio
And, do not dump that bike. Acid everywhere. Dump the bike while riding, with you on it, that one decision (to not replace it now that you are home again) WILL come back to haunt you. Had it happen on a 74 FLH one time. (WAY b4 they made AGM batteries. Progress is good sometimes). Didn't burn my skin off or anything like that, but think how bad it hurts in road rash!
AGM Dekka battery at batterymart for $138 is a fix it and done. Put the wet battery in the lawn mower where it belongs. Dekka makes the batteries for MOCO.
AGM Dekka battery at batterymart for $138 is a fix it and done. Put the wet battery in the lawn mower where it belongs. Dekka makes the batteries for MOCO.
Last edited by wurk_truk; Jun 25, 2014 at 03:42 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
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From: Maryland near DC
from my understanding the sealed batterys are 'fully' charged at a lower voltage than regular acid batteries so that they don't gas (fume) as much, so that being said you may find that a regular battery does not read fully charged on a vehicle designed to have a sealed battery...I am not sure if HD does it that way or not..but many cars do...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
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From: South Carolina
isnt there maintenance required with an unsealed battery? fluid level checks and cleaning area around battery and vasoline on the terminals etc...overflow vent tube running down but hopefully not on anything that you dont want corroded.
