Charging battery

[binspoonal]

I know I've seen this answered but I'm unable to find it..

Should I charge my battery at 6 or 12 volts? I've been trickle charging at 6 volt setting. Today I went to start it and not enough juice to start.. There is an indicator on the charger that lights up for either "charging" or "charged", the "charged" one is lit ?

[tom slick]

it's a 12v battery!

[wgwgoldwing]

12v

The owner's manual says:

"The standard charging rate is 0.7A x 5 to 10 hours."

Then it says:

"CAUTION

Exceeding the standard charging rate for the battery can shorten it's life.

Never exceed the standard charging rate."

So, looks like 12 volts at 0.7 amps for 5 to 10 hours (according to Suzuki).

WGW

[drzden]

I use a battery tender and it keeps it charged all the time. I just unhook and ride.

Dennis

[Noble]

12 volt setting. Don't worry about charge rate. You can be sure the DRZ charging system charges higher than .7 amp. Just don't boost it with a 30 amp booster charger for a car battery.

[binspoonal]

Ok thanks! You think charging it at 6volt may have ruined it? When I set it on 12volt now, after a couple minutes the "problem" light comes on. It is a battery tender "type" charger that turns off when fully charged.

[Rib Eye]

My manual says not to exceed 3 amps with a 12 volt charger.

Recharging times: 0.7 A for 5 to 10 hours or 3A for one hour.

However the smart chargers are the best bet so you don't cook the battery.

[Three Stooges Racing]

Make sure you dont have the polarity wrong. + to + , - to - it's easy to hook to the battery wrong. Set on 6v it likely never "called" for the tender to kick in.

Spring is a good time for small battery manufacturers,they got some of my money this year.

[brad21]

I use a battery tender and it keeps it charged all the time. I just unhook and ride.

Dennis

Me too. Nee nee neee neee vroom.

[Noble]

If the battery has not been maintained above 6 volts for a long time (like all winter) it is probably a gonner. Have a shop charge it with a real charger to see if it can be "kick-started" back to life. I have no idea what the lights on your tender mean. Get a volt meter and use that.

[DRZ400SK4]

I charge mine once per month for 12 hours, at 12 volts and 2 amps, while I have it in the basement for winter storage. I've been doing this for years, with dozens of bikes and jetskis. I've never had to replace a battery.

Free tip...

Never store your battery on a concrete floor. Always store it on a wooden shelf or bench.

[binspoonal]

Ok, I may have ruined it by leaving it at 6volt during the winter.. Good thing I have a kick starter!