Warning
Batteries generate explosive hydrogen gas and contain electrolyte which is made of poisonous and highly caustic sulfuric acid.
Therefore, always follow these preventive measures:
- Wear protective eye gear when handling or working near batteries.
- Charge batteries in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep batteries away from fire, sparks or open flames (e.g., welding equipment, lighted cigarettes).
- DO NOT SMOKE when charging or handling batteries.
- KEEP BATTERIES AND ELECTROLYTE OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
- Avoid bodily contact with electrolyte as it can cause severe burns or permanent eye injury.
First aid in case of bodily contact:
- External
- SKIN - Wash with water.
- EYES - Flush with water for 15 minutes and get immediate medical attention.
- Internal
- Drink large quantities of water or milk followed with milk of magnesia, beaten egg or vegetable oil. Get immediate medical attention.
Caution!
- This is a sealed battery. Never remove the sealing caps because the balance between cells will not be maintained and battery performance will deteriorate.
- Charging time, charging amperage and charging voltage for a MF battery are different from those of conventional batteries. The MF battery should be charged as explained in the charging method illustrations. If the battery is overcharged, the electrolyte level will drop considerably. Therefore, take special care when charging the battery.
Note: Since MF batteries are sealed, it is not possible to check the charge state of the battery by measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Therefore, the charge of the battery has to be checked by measuring the voltage at the battery terminals.
1. Remove: battery cover (1)
2. Disconnect: battery leads (from the battery terminals)
Caution! First, disconnect the negative lead (1), then the positive lead (2).
3. Remove: battery
4. Check: battery charge
a. Connect a pocket tester to the battery terminals.
- Tester positive lead → battery positive terminal
- Tester negative lead → battery negative terminal
Note:
- The charge state of a MF battery can be checked by measuring its open-circuit voltage (i.e., the voltage when the positive terminal is disconnected).
- No charging is necessary when the open-circuit voltage equals or exceeds 12.8 V.
b. Check the charge of the battery, as shown in the charts and the following example.
Example
c. Open-circuit voltage = 12.0 V
d. Charging time = 6.5 hours
e. Charge of the battery = 20-30 %
5. Charge: battery (refer to the appropriate charging method illustration)
This varies depending on the temperature, the state of charge in battery plates and the electrolyte level.
Warning! Do not quick charge a battery.
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Caution!
- Make sure that the battery breather hose and battery vent are free of obstructions. Never remove the MF battery sealing caps. Do not use a high-rate battery charger. They force a high-amperage current into the battery quickly and can cause battery overheating and battery plate damage.
- If it is impossible to regulate the charging current on the battery charger, be careful not to overcharge the battery.
- When charging a battery, be sure to remove it from the motorcycle. (If charging has to be done with the battery mounted on the motorcycle, disconnect the negative lead from the battery terminal.)
- To reduce the chance of sparks, do not plug in the battery charger until the battery charger leads are connected to the battery. Before removing the battery charger lead clips from the battery terminals, be sure to turn off the battery charger.
- Make sure that the battery charger lead clips are in full contact with the battery terminal and that they are not shorted. A corroded battery charger lead clip may generate heat in the contact area and a weak clip spring may cause sparks.
- If the battery becomes hot to the touch at any time during the charging process, disconnect the battery charger and let the battery cool before reconnecting it. Hot batteries can explode!
- As shown in the following illustration, the open-circuit voltage of a MF battery stabilizes about 30 minutes after charging has been completed. Therefore, wait 30 minutes after charging is completed before measuring the open-circuit voltage.
Charging method using a variable-current (voltage) type charger
Note: Voltage should be measured 30 minutes after the machine is stopped.
Note: Set the charging voltage at 16-17 V. (If the setting is lower, charging will be insufficient. If too high, the battery will be over-charged.)
| Measure the open-circuit voltage prior to charging. | ||
| ↓ | ||
| Connect a charger and AMP meter to the battery and start charging. | ||
| ↓ | ||
| Make sure the current is higher than the standard charging current written on the battery. | NO → | By turning the charging voltage adjust dial, set the charging voltage at 20-25 V. |
| YES ↓ | NO ↓ | |
| Adjust the voltage so that current is at standard charging level. | ←YES | Monitor the amperage for 3-5 minutes to check if the standard charging current is reached. |
| ↓ | NO ↓ | |
| Set the timer according to the charging time suitable for the open-circuit voltage. Refer to "Battery condition checking steps." | If the current does not exceed standard charging current after 5 minutes, replace the battery. | |
| ↓ | ||
| In case that charging requires more than 5 hours, it is advisable to check the charging current after a lapse of 5 hours. If there is any charge in the amperage, readjust the voltage to obtain the standard charging current. | ||
| ↓ | ||
| Measure the battery open-circuit voltage after having left the battery unused for more than 30 minutes. 12.8 V or more --- Charging is complete. 12.7 V or less --- Recharging is required. Under 12.0 V --- Replace the battery. |
Charging method using a constant-voltage type charger
| Measure the open-circuit voltage prior to charging. Note: Voltage should be measured 30 minutes after the machine is stopped. | ||
| ↓ | ||
| Connect a charger and AMP meter to the battery and start charging. | ||
| ↓ | ||
| Make sure the current is higher than the standard charging current written on the battery. | NO → | This type of battery charger cannot charge the MF battery. A variable voltage charger is recommended. |
| YES ↓ | ||
| Charge the battery until the battery's charging voltage is 15 V. Note: Set the charging time at 20 hours (maximum). | ||
| ↓ | ||
| Measure the battery open-circuit voltage after having left the battery unused for more than 30 minutes. 12.8 V or more --- Charging is complete. 12.7 V or less --- Recharging is required. Under 12.0 V --- Replace the battery. |
Charging method using a constant-current type charger
This type of battery charger cannot charge the MF battery.
6. Check: battery breather hose and battery vent
Obstruction → Clean.
Damage → Replace.
7. Install: battery
Caution!
- When inspecting the battery, make sure that the battery breather hose is properly attached and routed correctly. If the battery breather hose is positioned so as to allow electrolyte or hydrogen gas from the battery to contact the frame, the motorcycle and its finish may be damaged.
- Make sure that the battery breather hose is properly routed away from the drive chain and from below the swingarm.
8. Connect: battery leads (to the battery terminals)
Caution! First, connect the positive lead (1), then the negative lead (2).
9. Check: battery terminals
Dirt → Clean with a wire brush.
Loose connection → Connect properly.
10. Lubricate:battery terminals
- Recommended lubricant: Dielectric grease
11. Install: battery cover