Will running the Trike....

[Baldy_54]

for 15 or 20 minutes be enough of a charge for the battery? With all the lights on the bike Instead of using a trickle charger, I want to start the bike periocally over the winter. Really asking is the alternator good enough to get a charge doing that. It's either that, or I have to bring the battery in the house.

 

[cScjhb]

Short answer is no. I think you are better off storing the bike in a dry, warm place if available and leaving it alone until you're ready to do some riding. Put some fuel additive in and fill the tank. Use a battery tender. Running your engine periodically for short periods of time does more harm than good..... Jim

 

[Jack Klarich]

Your best bet would be a battery tender IMO

Running an engine for short periods of time in the winter months will produce a lot of water vapor in the oil

Continued running like this for short periods of time will continue this process, that water can collect in the case( short run times is not good for the oil) , the battery will not receive a proper charge at idle with all the lights on, you need to get the RPM up JMO

 

[Jake70]

ffor 15 or 20 minutes be enough of a charge for the battery? With all the lights on the bike Instead of using a trickle charger, I want to start the bike periocally over the winter. Really asking is the alternator good enough to get a charge doing that. It's either that, or I have to bring the battery in the house.

IMO running an engine on alternator power to recharge a battery for short periods of time is definitely not the way to go, as a matter of fact it takes more stored up power to start the engine each time than what you'd likely gain from the alternator charging method you mentioned.

Either a trickle charge of 800ma to 1amp or a longer slower low amp automatic trickle deep charge is much more beneficial. You want more than just a surface charge which is all you get by the occasional starting and running of the engine using the alternator. A 800ma to a 1a battery tender should be sufficient for most systems.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

I agree with the others.

You will do more harm than good doing what you suggest.

Get a battery tender, about $40, and forget about it until your ready to break it out for the spring.

I keep the trike, motorcycle and lawn mower all on tenders when not in use.

 

[Jake70]

I agree with the others.

You will do more harm than good doing what you suggest.

Get a battery tender, about $40, and forget about it until your ready to break it out for the spring.

I keep the trike, motorcycle and lawn mower all on tenders when not in use.

Coincidentally I just bought a 800ma tender from Wallyworld for $28 for an RV application. Works beautifully.

 

[Jack Klarich]

A motorcycle’s charging system doesn’t work like a car’s charging system. Idling a car might be enough to recharge the battery, but idling a motorcycle will not.

Grab a multimeter and check the voltage of a healthy battery in a motorcycle at idle, wait few minutes and then check it again. The voltage will be the same, meaning idling the motorcycle hasn’t done anything to recharge the battery.

With your multimeter still monitoring the voltage on your motorcycle battery, and your motor running, twist the throttle to rev up your engine. When your motorcycle engine’s RPMs go over a certain amount (which varies based on your motorcycle) the voltage on your battery will begin to increase. That’s the engine speed (or RPM) your motorcycle engine has to sustain in order to charge the battery. When you’re riding around the city it’s not a problem.

Keeping in mind the excessive draw on the battery when starting in colder weather, now you see how running it ( at idle) is not really charging your battery properly

Keeping the battery on a tender you will be happy and so will your battery

 

[rhino 2]

ffor 15 or 20 minutes be enough of a charge for the battery? With all the lights on the bike Instead of using a trickle charger, I want to start the bike periocally over the winter. Really asking is the alternator good enough to get a charge doing that. It's either that, or I have to bring the battery in the house.

No.......Just fill the gas tank to the top add a little stabilizer to the gas...Run it enough for the gas/stabilizer to get down in the carbs/injectors...Shut the engine off, Add a charger with an automatic battery maintainer....Throw a blanket over the trike and let it sleep till spring.. [P/S...A trickle charger is Not a maintainer...]

 

[Baldy_54]

No.......Just fill the gas tank to the top add a little stabilizer to the gas...Run it enough for the gas/stabilizer to get down in the carbs/injectors...Shut the engine off, Add a charger with an automatic battery maintainer....Throw a blanket over the trike and let it sleep till spring.. [P/S...A trickle charger is Not a maintainer...]

I didn't think that what I was suggesting was a good idea. Well, I do have a maintainer but I will have to run a 100 foot cable to the shed. Easier to take the battery in the house.

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

 

[Burnerboy]

I didn't think that what I was suggesting was a good idea. Well, I do have a maintainer but I will have to run a 100 foot cable to the shed. Easier to take the battery in the house.

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

If yea have to run a 100foot extension cord, than I HIGHLY SUGGEST that you bring battery inside and than still keep a BATTERY MAINTAINER on it............NOT A TRICKLE CHARGER

PS: Yes I'm yelling...Besure it's a maintainer.... or you'll be screaming at yourself come this April, when everybody else is riding, and your bike is not starting, because you didn't help maintain it correctly..

DO NOT START IT during the winter, just let it be, cover her over with a breathable blanket.... Starting it just introduces moister into oil and engine... Do what I do every so often just go into your shed and give her a great big hug.....:dance:

Ronnie

1/6/22

 

[Baldy_54]

Been A Long Run

Just added another Candle to the cake. That makes 86 of them. Since Covid, I have been AWOL from the site. Don't know how much more time I have. Remembering that you guys are pretty particular about selling Goldwing parts. I have my 05 Goldwing Saddle Bags and Swing Arm still sitting in the shed. Just asking is there any value in them or should I take them to the dump? Time to clean out things.

 

[ItBeMe]

I ride pretty much year around so I don’t have to worry about the battery but for me it’s a good idea to put the battery tender on the old lady and that way when I’m ready to use your she’ll be ready. :clapping:

 

[New Orleans Kevin]

I've been told I need to ride 75 miles or one hour to get a HD battery charged up if not on a battery tender. Sounds like a damn good excuse for an evening ride!!!!! I couldn't let it sit all winter but here winter lasts about four days!

 

[ROAD DOG]

Thats weird I Thought it was 88 MPH

 

[ROAD DOG]

Just added another Candle to the cake. That makes 86 of them. Since Covid, I have been AWOL from the site. Don't know how much more time I have. Remembering that you guys are pretty particular about selling Goldwing parts. I have my 05 Goldwing Saddle Bags and Swing Arm still sitting in the shed. Just asking is there any value in them or should I take them to the dump? Time to clean out things.

D U M P NO VALUE