is it ok to to charge the battery without disconnecting it ?
I charge mine on the bike without disconnecting it.
I also have some fly leads permanently attached to the battery so I can attach a trickle charger ( battery tender ) to it.
My optimate has a 12v output and the bike is 6v. I have a B40 and Bantam which are both 6v so I made some leads to connect the batteries so can charge them in series with a 12v charger or battery tender!
not a problem on Brit bikes, on modern bikes its not advisable as the cdi can be damaged.
A lot of modern bikes have battery tender leads fitted to keep the battery charged especially over the winter months. The battery is left connected while being charged.
the talk was about charging the battery not optimising one.
charging uses higher current than optimising thats how they can get away with it, similar to a trickle charge which is why some chargers have both options. My unit Sealey charger has two settings, one for jump starting the other charging , this is the other option so in all there are three options for charging/starting.
most if not all garages will disconnect a lead when charging bikes and cars to prevent damage to the circuits.
the other thing to consider is if the battery were to overheat/explode or even if un sealed one, the process can boil the acid and it vents out of the vent and strips the paint and will introduce rust.
I agree about possible boiling with some batteries and damage to paint especially if an overflow tube is not fitted. Can also get overflow when charging through an unregulated supply to the battery as had happened lots of times on my old British bikes!
Still don't think you need to disconnect most modern cars before charging. Most circuits are so well protected today.. I just checked about charging my BMW car and the wife's Focus and both can be charged with the battery connected. When using a battery pack for jump starting the leads are normally connected and left for a few minutes to put something into the battery and then the engine turned over. I would have thought if anything that would have blown any delicate electrics ..
I'm sure though there may be some vehicles that do need batteries disconnecting.
Unless it is for a very short time, just to get a start, I remove the battery and remove the bungs. I understand that this is to allow any hydrogen (?) gas to disperse and remove the chance of the battery becoming pressurised and bursting/exploding. It also gives an opportunity to top up the levels, clean the terminals and generally check the condition of the battery.
I suppose that sealed gel and AGM batteries are different and will have their own guidance for charging.
Dave.
:) :) :) :) :)
Aside from on or off the bike charging can be a bit unsafe so be careful. A battery being charged produces Hydrogen. A while back we had a battery charging on the bench with the plugs/stoppers removed. My son was working at the same bench and caused a spark. Guess what. Hydrogen plus spark==big bang==bits of battery and battery acid all over the place. Fortunately no-one was close enough to even be splashed. Just a tale of woe to enlighten your morning.
I know most of us are careful, I certainly thought that I was.
Mike 8) 8) 8)
(With electrician head on) I remove the battery from the bike, but only because I find it more convenient. With lead acid batteries I remove the bungs but then put them back loosely in their holes. This allows venting but also prevents splashing. If I have to top up a cell before charging, I will wait for an hour or so to let the acid and water mix before charging. I think I was taught all this in electrician school, but that was a long time ago now.
Rog, thats the way I would do it..
on a tale of charging, I worked in our local garage from age 14, we went out to assemble a water trough in a field (being a country garage we did most things including scrappng Lanchester's, old Rover's and many cars now worth a lot.)
on returning I had a lot of sealant on hands and clothes, I used petrol to clean the sealant off. we washed our hands in a old tank outside using swarfega and cold rainwater, on the way out to wash, I passed a bank of batteries charging......
a trip to A&E followed, minor burns to legs and hands, jeans were thrown as flames had left hardened patches and nylon pants , well, less said about them.. provided nurses with some entertainment.