Improvising

I just bought a new battery for the bike and I need to fill and charge it.
All I have for a charger is a 40amp/160amp start Sears charger. The directions say to charge at 1-1.5 amps. I don't want to cook the battery, so here's the idea.
The kids have power wheels, and the charger for it is 12v 1.24 amp.
What do you think if I were to charge the battery using the power wheels charger?
Am I off my rocker 8O , or would it work?
I'm on a low budget here, as I'm currently unemployed, and looking for a new job. So, I don't have the funds to run out and spend $40 bucks on a trickle charger, or low amp charger.

 

That would probably work fine. If you have a voltmeter you can check the battery charging voltage with the charger connected.

If you had a honking power resistor (preferably one of the mechanically variable ones) you could use the big charger... just add enough resistance to reduce the charging current to an acceptable level. You'd need an ammeter to check the current. Or you could measure the voltage drop across the resistor and use ohms law (I=E/R).

Good luck with the job hunt... I'm looking myself.

 

How about wire a light bulb in-line with the big charger, or parallel
it to the car battery while out job hunting. I don't think it would overcharge
*disconnect when the engine isn't running of course.

 

Are you sure it needs to be charged? I've never purchased a "dry" battery, but I believe when the acid and water are in it's ready to go.

 

Like Micarl states, it will be ready to go, but only on a limited charge. Plenty enough to start the bike.

If the bike is a runner then just fill the battery, install, and go for an hours ride. Battery will get it's full charge naturally.

If it's not a runner then it is recomended to charge as per instructions as lack of initial charge may reduce the life of the battery.


I've been lucky, I put three new battery's in three different bikes and used the ride method to charge them. Never had any problems.

 

Stormin,
The kid's battery charger will work just fine for your applications with one consideration. It might say it is a 12 VDC charger an put out exactly that, 12 volts. The charger you need will put out a hair more, around 13.8 VDC. Charging standard for your beastie is 14 VDC +/- 0.5 VDC. Attach your battery and plug the wart in. If you can read at least 13.8 across the terminals, you're good to go.

 

Plug in the wart, LOL you must be into slot cars.
I figure if the battery in the power wheels is 12v so the charger should put out more than that. I'll grab the Fluke meter and check the output.

As for the bike, I still need to swap the carbs to the better set I purchased last year, fix the petcock and tank, and finish updating the wires. Then see if it will start and run. It's a project bike that sat outside for years.
Thanks for the responces, and I'll let you know how it works out.

 

I just checked the wall wart with no load, and it puts out 12.85v.
A bit low for what I need.

 

Use it to get what you can, it's better than nothing.

 

WalMart has a trickle charger for like 12 bucks...its what i use. (only used it once for a couple hours. You could always buy it and take it back a couple hours later.)

Just say you tried it out, and you realized you won't use it much. I have a buddy that does this for Xbox controllers whenever he has company.

 

Even though you have added the acid and water, you still need to charge it... They require 8 hours I believe. Otherwise you can weaken or shorten the life of the battery quite a bit. Just my 2 Cents.

 

That, my friend, is stealing. Don't.

 

I'm with MiCarl on this one, bad form. Buy what is needed and sleep better at night.

 

I went down to WalMart today, and they do have a 1.5amp charger for $18.90, just under 19 bucks. I think I'll wait to charge the battery, and pick one of these up. I'll need it anyways.
How often do you guys charge, or put he battery on the charger to maintain them.

 

When I activate a Brand New Battery, I fill it and use my SEARS 2/10/50 Charger set to 10 Amps.

The Battery Acid is highly activated and the Battery gases guite a bit. But, I know it's getting a deep initial charging.

After about an hour, I change the rate to 2 Amps and let it simmer. During the 2 Amp charging, I lightly tap on all four sides to get the hydrogen bubbles to release from between the plates.

I charge it at 2 Amps for 3 hours and increase the Amps back to 10 Amps for 30 minutes.

Once again, after the 30 minute 10 Amp Cycle, I reduce the Amps back to 2 Amps and tap the sides, once again, to release the gas bubbles.

There is a noticeable drop in the fluid level as the plates are completely surrounded with the electrolyte and the bubbles are released.
I fill the battery's cells up to the line with the remaining electrolyte and complete the charge at 2 Amps ... overnight.

I have had great success doing the activation of a New Battery this way.
Although the 10 Amps causes the activation process to produce a high concentration of hydrogen gas ... I'm careful with the charger and unplug it before doing anything to the connnections.

A moist rag laid over the top of the battery will absorb the droplets of electrolyte that escape during the process.

 

Thanks Rick.

 

Will the place that sold you the battery not also charge it for you? If you bought it from me I would. Ask them. If not, check with your local parts house. Tell 'em your story and see if they'll charge (+|-) your battery free of charge ($).

 

The WalMart I bought the battery from doesn't have an automotive tire and battery center in it. So they can't charge it.

 

Call-up somebody you know that has a battery charger and borrow it.