5 Ways to Rejuvenate a Dead Motorcycle Battery
A dead motorcycle battery can be a real pain. It’s frustrating, and if you don’t get it fixed quickly, it can ruin your day. However, before you throw it out and buy a new one, there are some things you can do to rejuvenate your old battery and keep it in good condition for a few more months.
1. Recondition the Battery – This is an easy way to revive a motorcycle battery and extend its life. It requires just a few tools and a little time.
First, you’ll need to remove the battery from the bike. It’s best to do this in a well-ventilated area and wear safety goggles and gloves. This will protect you from any vapors released by the acid inside.
2. Test the Battery Open-Circuit Voltage – This will help you determine if the battery is dead or not. You’ll need a multimeter, and you’ll want to use the red probe to check the positive terminal of the battery, and the black probe to test the negative terminal.
3. Charge the Battery – This is an important step to get your battery back into working order. You’ll need a charger and a 12-volt power supply.
The charger should be rated for 12V / 2 amps, and you’ll need to place it as far away from the battery as possible. This will prevent the electrolyte solution from overflowing during charging, which could damage your battery.
4. Recharge the Battery Using a Trickle Charger – This is an easy way to revive a dead battery, but it takes a few hours for the charge to rebuild. The trickle charger has a clamp that connects to the negative terminal of the dead battery, as well as the positive terminal of the live battery.
Depending on the charger you have, you’ll want to plug it in to your battery for several hours, and then disconnect it once the charge has rebuilt. This method isn’t as effective as jump-starting a battery, but it can work if the other methods fail.
5. Replace the Alternator – Faulty alternators can cause your battery to die. They’re typically pre-installed on most modern bikes, but they don’t last forever. This is because they are not designed to charge as quickly as the battery.
6. Reconnect the Battery Cables – If your bike’s battery is dead, it’s possible that its cables may be split or disconnected from the engine. To try and reconnect them, connect the black clamp on the jumper cable to an unpainted, grounded-metal part or surface on the motorcycle, like its frame.
7. Reconnect the Battery Wires – If your battery is still dead, it’s possible that its wires are loose or connected improperly. Reconnecting them is an important step to revive your bike’s battery, but if it still won’t start after a few attempts, you’ll need to replace the batteries.
8. Conclusion – If you’re ready to invest in a new battery, you can easily purchase one at a local bike store. They’re a great way to save money and ensure that you’re not stranded with a dead battery again in the future.