Can a standard charger be used to charge a lithium-ion motorbike battery?

Unfortunately, since lithium batteries are different from conventional battery technologies like lead-acid batteries, you cannot charge a lithium motorbike with a standard charger.

Additionally, the forms and sizes of the batteries vary depending on the manufacturer.

Therefore, it is advised to purchase a specialist lithium battery charger for this procedure.

How is a lithium-ion motorbike battery charged?

Every motorcycle owner will experience a dead or low battery that doesn’t have enough power to start the motorbike at some time during their travels.

Due to the difficulty of starting a motorbike with a dead battery compared to a vehicle, such circumstances may be quite inconvenient for motorcycle riders.

To temporarily give you the push you need to travel to the repair shop or replacement store, you may charge your lithium motorbike battery in a few different methods.

Step 1: Charging the Batteries

#1. Determine The Kind Of Battery You Have.

Finding out what sort of battery you have would be the first step; bear in mind that motorbike batteries come in a range of various forms and sizes.

If you’re unclear of the battery type, you can always look it up in the handbook or check the battery’s side to see if it has a sticker with this information on it.

3.2V 20A Low Temp LiFePO4 Battery Cell

-40℃ 3C discharge capacity≥70%

Charging temperature:-20~45℃

Discharging temperature: -40~+55℃

pass acupuncture test

-40℃ maximum discharge rate:3C

#2. Purchase An Expert Lithium Battery Charger

For the majority of battery types, trickle, float, or smart chargers are often choices.

Lead-acid, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), or Gel batteries often respond well to these chargers.

However, you need purchase a specialist lithium battery charger since they are not appropriate for use with all lithium batteries.

Depending on the manufacturer, certain chargers are required for the different lithium battery types, including lithium-ion, lithium phosphate, and lithium-iron.

You may always consult the instructions to learn more about the charger you might want for a lithium motorbike battery.

#3. Remove The Motorcycle’s Battery.

Never attempt to use this technique of charging while the battery is still inside the vehicle, and be sure to turn the bike off before removing the battery.

This is because charging it while it is still attached to the bike could harm other parts of the cell or the entire vehicle.

You should start by pulling the cables from the terminals one at a time in order to remove the battery as carefully as possible.

The battery should then be carefully removed from the bike once any screws keeping it in place have been removed.

Even though it seems straightforward, this technique may be difficult, therefore it’s always advisable to read the instructions to learn how to do it correctly.

Depending on the manufacturer and the differences between different bikes, the instructions will assist you in securely removing the batteries.

#4. Join The Cell’s Battery Charger.

As you connect the lithium charger to the battery’s terminals, be sure that everything is precise and secure.

After making sure of that, you may put in the charger to start the charging procedure.

Low Temperature High Energy Density

Rugged Laptop Polymer Battery

Battery specification: 11.1V 7800mAh

-40℃ 0.2C discharge capacity ≥80%

Dustproof, resistance to dropping, anti – corrosion, anti – electromagnetic interference

Please be aware that you must keep a careful eye on the charging procedure to prevent the chargers from overheating and suffering serious damage.

It would also be a good idea to do the surgery in a well-ventilated area.

#5. Join The Cell’s Battery Charger.

You cannot anticipate the charger to provide you with the voltage reading automatically since you are not employing a smart charger for this operation.

Therefore, a manual voltage test will be required.

Remove the charger’s leads from the battery terminals, insert them into a multimeter, and obtain a reading.

You must configure the multimeter to read 20V DC on its scale in order to test a lithium motorbike battery.

The is completely charged and prepared to use if the voltage reads 12.73V or above.

If the reading is in the 12.06V to 12.63V range, your battery has to be charged for a longer period of time.

It could be damaged if the reading is less than 12.06V, however you can try charging it for a short while longer.

#6. Reconnect The Bike’s Battery

After the charging procedure is complete, remove the charger, replace the battery in the motorbike, and reconnect all necessary cords.

It would be okay to start the bike and ride at this point.

Step 2: Jump-Starting The Motorcycle’s Battery

A lithium motorbike battery may also be jump-started, much like a vehicle.

#1. Look For A Set Of Jumper Cables.

Jumper cables are available from motorists as the majority of them have a pair in their trunks.

If you’re not lucky and can’t locate any, you can always purchase a pair from a nearby hardware shop.

#2. Turn Off Your Automobile If You’re Using It To Jumpstart.

Compared to motorbikes, car batteries are far more powerful, and the bikes don’t need as much power.

As a result, it is advised that you turn the automobile off when jump-starting your bike.

#3. Start The Second Motorbike If You Plan To Restart It.

When jump-starting a bike using another bike, be sure to start the healthy bike first, then the dead one.

#4. Use The Wires To Connect The Batteries.

Use the jumper cable to precisely connect the cell terminals, being careful to avoid letting the clamps touch.

#5. Start The Motorbike.

The motorbike should be turned on and left running for a few minutes to warm up the engine.

#6. Unplug The Cords.

Until you can take the bike to the repair shop, securely disconnect the wires without bringing the clamps into contact.

Can Your Motorcycle’s Lithium Battery Be Charged Over Night?

Without a doubt.

You must be there to supervise the charging procedure for your motorbike, which shouldn’t take very long.

The battery may overcharge and overheat if you left it charging over night, opening the door to a number of dangerous situations including thermal runaways, fires, and even explosions.

Never charge a battery over night!

Conclusion

It is advised to take your bike to the repair if you discover that your lithium motorbike charger has to be charged or jump-started often.

The battery could need to be replaced or might be damaged.

In any case, it’s never a good idea to go along with the flow and disregard a dead battery.

How To Charge A Lithium Motorcycle Battery? Videos Suggestions From Youtube

How To Charge A Lithium Iron Motorcycle Battery – hoohoohoblin
The Lowdown On Lithium Batteries | MC GARAGE – Motorcyclist Magazine
How to – Fix a lithium battery that won’t accept a charge – Matnetik
Motorcycle Lithium Battery Charger | OptiMate FAQ – OptiMate1

Updated on

Written by Bob Matsuoka
Bob Matsuoka is a blogger and founder of RVing Beginner blog. He has been blogging for over five years, writing about his own family’s RV adventures, tips for people who are interested in buying an RV or taking their family on an adventure by RV.