Types of Motorcycle Batteries
Filed Under Motorcycle Batteries |
There are two main types of motorcycle batteries – conventional and maintenance free.
Conventional
These include batteries consisting of flooded electrolyte and cell accessible construction. This means that you have to maintain them - you should be aware of safety precautions at all times. They are less expensive than maintenance free but require more attention. With a conventional type battery that offers access to the cell compartments, the periodic addition of distilled water is required. Water loss is normal in these batteries through the process of electrolysis and evaporation. If there are low electrolyte levels due to evaporation, the result is permanent damage to the motorcycle batteries due to exposed lead plates to the air. Therefore, you must maintain the electrolyte levels above the minimum fill lines on the battery and at or below the maximum line. They discharge at a faster rate than maintenance free motorcycle batteries.
Maintenance Free
These are more expensive than conventional motorcycle batteries and are being pushed by the big brands, and for good reason. Maintenance free batteries mean that water loss is eliminated. Once the battery is filled with acid it is permanently sealed - so you’ll never need to fill it with water or check the acid level. It’s totally sealed and all of the acid is absorbed in the special plates and separators, so there is no need to worry about acid leaks on valuable vehicle parts and accessories.
Also, the amount of free-standing electrolyte above the plates is designed to be much higher in a new maintenance-free battery. This means that there’s enough electrolyte to keep the plates covered even after a few seasons of normal use. So, during the battery’s normal service life there should be no need to add water. Any abnormal electrical system condition or high ambient temperatures may boil off more than the normal amount of water, however. Even though this is the more expensive type, when buying motorcycle batteries this is the only type I would purchase. Not worrying about acid leaks is a big plus!
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