Best way to charge a new dry battery...

[tkent02]

I remember a thread here about how to first fill and charge up a new lead acid battery. Time to do it, can't find the thread. It was something like fill it with acid, let it sit a while, tap it to get rid of the bubbles, charge it at a slow rate, was that about it?
Thanks.

[jwhelan65]

Do you have a Batteries Plus near you? They charge $5 to fill them.

[tkent02]

I have the acid, it came in a bag with the battery. Batteries plus charges them really fast, i know that's not the best idea.

[jwhelan65]

I have the acid, it came in a bag with the battery. Batteries plus charges them really fast, i know that's not the best idea.

They just fill them, I take it home and slow charge it from there. Filling them can be a PITA.

[tkent02]

What do you know, there are instructions in the box....

[jwhelan65]

What do you know, there are instructions in the box....

Ha!..I usually end up digging the instructions out of the trash..

[tkent02]

Well, the leaking acid ruined a lot of the words, but the pictures are mostly still legible.
The battery is charging... slowly.

[Steve]

Here ya go, Tom: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/newbattery.htm

And, of course, I would be remiss in my duties if I neglected to remind you that IT'S ON BASSCLIFF'S SITE.

Yep, right there on the Electrical Odds-n-Ends page, just below half-way down the left column.

Of course, a simple search would have found it, too.

.

[tkent02]

Here ya go, Tom: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/newbattery.htm

And, of course, I would be remiss in my duties if I neglected to remind you that IT'S ON BASSCLIFF'S SITE.

Yep, right there on the Electrical Odds-n-Ends page, just below half-way down the left column.

Of course, a simple search would have found it, too.

.

But Cliff is out for Lent, I didn't think it would be fair! Besides he's too scary!

[chuck hahn]

At 2 Amps and it helps to have a charger that auto shuts off

[1980GS1000E]

How about using a battery tender for this?

[7981GS]

How about using a battery tender for this?

It would probably work. I don't remember. I might have done just that over 25 years ago though.
I would let it charge for more than 12 hours and then test the battery charge before using it.
Normally, I place them on a 2 amp charge for a few hours. Then let it sit for a half hour.
Then, turn it back on and leave it overnight at 2 amp auto setting.

Daniel

[chuck hahn]

Battery tenders are perfect for the job...slow trickle and self shutting off.

[1980GS1000E]

That's what I have done and had no problem with the battery. I had read somewhere that tenders were not for initial charging.