Friday, August 31, 2012

The Importance Of A Motorcycle Battery Charger

The Importance Of A Motorcycle Battery Charger


If your starter is weak and your lights start to dim, it's probably time to charge your motorcycle battery.Ditto when you have not used your bike for more than 2 weeks.Storage is not good for batteries.Oftentimes, it results to their inability to hold a charge.For these reasons, a motorcycle battery charger is a must-own device for owners of this two-wheeled vehicle.You may want to get a volt meter as well.The Importance of a Well-maintained Battery.A well-maintained battery allows for easy starting.Especially with the popular push button start, battery performance is very important.Otherwise, you will be relegated to the tedious kick start alternative.But starting is not the only function affected by battery performance.Other electrical components are influenced as well- the horn, lights, and whatever electrical gadgets you have installed.You do not want the performance of these parts compromised because of a weak or dead battery, especially if you are on the road and far from home.Even your safety could be at risk.Get a Good Motorcycle Battery Charger.Battery chargers seem like simple devices using a mature technology.Such bring the case we often go for the cheapest one.Although charging per se may be similar in the majority of battery chargers, the safety features vary and this accounts for the price difference.True, most battery chargers have a fuse as protection, but oftentimes this is not enough.The expensive ones have a built-in circuit breaker for added protection.In fact the more advanced, albeit costly, models have an inverted polarity safety circuit.This provides protection in the event that you erroneously mismatch the polarity, which would normally cause a short circuit.Trickle charging performance is another area wherein these products differ.This should be taken into account when making your choice.The Power of the Sun.Although the use of solar power to charge batteries is not a new technology, making these panels portable, resilient, and affordable is a fairly recent occurrence.Gone are the days wherein solar panels are heavy, fragile, and expensive.Given this new development, products like Sunlinq 12w were introduced in the market.These solar panels are durable and lightweight, and these qualities make them ideal for motorcycle battery charging when the necessary electricity is unavailable.But having a solar charger does not excuse one from performing periodic battery examination and maintenance.Always remember that "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure".Battery Charging 101.1 Make sure that the vent caps are loose, and the charging area well- ventilated.There is a possibility that the oxygen and hydrogen present in the battery can cause an explosion.2.Excess heat, while charging, can damage battery plates.When this happens, allow the battery to cool before proceeding.3.Ascertain that the vent tube is not blocked.Trapped fumes may build up and explode.4.Make sure that the charger is properly connected.This is especially so if your charger does not have an inverted polarity safety circuit.5.It is best to trickle charge your battery once a month to keep it in top condition.Riding a motorcycle is fun provided that it is accident and trouble free.To this end, it is best that regular maintenance is done.

The Importance Of A Motorcycle Battery Charger



Motorcycle Battery Charger Compare Prices For Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger


motorcycle battery charger See Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger Details



List Price : $120.95 Price : $57.58
as of 2012-08-31 11:30 AM
Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger

Product Description

This automatic onboard battery charger is a high output portable charger, is completely automatic, and great for professional mechanics as they can be used for deep cycle batteries. Its 75-amps helps engines for emergency starting and the 12-amp fast charge helps to charge a battery in 2-5 hours. The 2-amp trickle charge charges a small 12-volt battery in 2-12 hours. It includes 2 LEDs which light up when the battery is fully charged and a 6 function rotary switch prevents overcharging of batteries.


  • A 6 function rotary switch prevents overcharging
  • Made for 12V batteries
  • 75-amps help emergency engine starting
  • 12-amp fast charge charges batteries in 2-5 hrs; 2-amp trickle charger charges batteries in 2-12 hrs
  • 2 LED lights display charge status




Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger Reviews


motorcycle battery charger : Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger Reviews


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Average Customer Review
11 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Robust and Efficient Battery Charger, September 16, 2007
By 
This review is from: Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger (Misc.)
I'm impressed by this product. I've used other battery chargers before but the SE-1275A is the best ever. The things I like best are: Wide-mouthed alligator clips that clamp on easily and don't slip off, automatic shutoff when a battery is fully charged, the rugged steel cabinet and overall quality construction.

If I could change anything about it, I would suggest adding readable instructions to the back of the cabinet, a longer electrical supply cord (one or two extra feet would be perfect), and a larger analog meter.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good product, bad customer service, March 24, 2008
This review is from: Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger (Misc.)
Well Made. Does what it's supposed to.Customer service is non existent !
You get an answering machine, and never receive a return call, ever !

The Documents leave out MANY ways that this item will respond to charge levels and charge cycles of various batteries, so it's off to the internet or trial and error if your unit does something that you don't understand. One of the tricks to this charger is to start out on 2 amp for about an hour, then raise up to 15 amp. When the charger reads full charge at 15 amps, drop to 2 amp and top the battery off for a full charge. It will take about 6 hours to charge a depleted battery.

The jump start barely started my car,but it did the trick,and it's a very hard to start car that sometimes won't jumpstart, so I was impressed.
It helps to charge a very dead battery for about 15 minutes before you jump start it with this unit.

For the price, everyone should own one of these. It's a great product, who's only... Read more
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars I'm pleased, April 29, 2009
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This review is from: Schumacher SE-1275A Automatic Onboard Battery Charger (Misc.)
I have only used the charger in the 2A charge mode. It has fully met my need to recharge the battery in an auto that is used infrequently. I do wish that the instruction manual described more fully the changes that occur in the display as the charging progresses.
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Car Battery Chargers - Emergency 101

Car Battery Chargers - Emergency 101


Have you ever left your lights on while shopping only to return to a dead battery? How about on a camping trip? I once left my lights on during a job interview and had to ask my potential employer for a jump start.Needless to say I didn't get the job.The stories are endless.Everyone needs a car battery charger in case of an emergency.They come in a variety of sizes and price points.Lets review 3 types of car battery chargers..First, you have the most affordable option, which is great for minor battery drains in compact vehicles.It is a small unit that fits in the glove box, console or under the seat.You don't have to open the hood because they plug directly into your cigarette lighter and take about 20 minutes to charge.Second, is the "battery tender".This type of charger is plugged into an outlet and it left for a long period of time.It gives a small trickle of power to the battery.It work best if you want a good solid charge and have time to leave it over night.Some models also have a quick start option, but you still need a wall outlet.Third, is the emergency battery starter.You plug it in for a few hours and then put it in the trunk in case you get stranded.It hooks up to the battery just like jumper cables and will give an instant start.Some larger vehicles require more power.You will need to check for compatibility before buying.

Car Battery Chargers - Emergency 101



Thursday, August 30, 2012

Car Battery For Beginners

Car Battery For Beginners


The car battery is what powers all the electrical components of the car.It is typically a rechargeable 12 volt lead-acid battery that powers the electrical system in the vehicle.This means that there are various chemicals in the battery that goes into a reaction when it is in use.When it is recharging, the chemical reactions are reversed.Car Battery Components.The main components of the car battery is that it starts the starter motor and the ignition system.The starter motor is basically an electric motor that gets the main gas engine going.The ignition system is what ignites the mix of gas and air to produce the combustion the engine needs to keep it running.Everyone knows that when the car battery dies, you can't start it anymore.There can be many reasons a car won't start, but when you hear that clicking noise, and no ignition, than it is probably a dead battery.The clicking noise is telling you that you starter is working, but it's not engaging the battery.When the starter is dead, you won't here a clicking noise.The car battery also runs the electrical system of the car.The main component to the electrical system are the lights.The headlights, interior lights, trunk light, and the dashboard light are all powered by this 12 volt battery.That is why when you leave the lights on, the battery drains and you can't get the car started.So the next question is, how come the car battery drains so quickly that you can't start the car, when you leave the lights on, but it can power the lights for a seemingly unlimited amount of time while you're running the engine? The first part of the answer is that it takes close to a full 12 volts to start your car.So if you're battery is at 11.2 volts, sorry but you're probably out of luck.The second part of that has to do with how it recharges itself as it runs.How It Recharges.You car has something called the alternator.This takes the mechanical motion of the engine, via alternator belt, and produces electricity to recharge the battery.It's like a give and take relationship.The car battery starts the engine, which in turn recharges it back up as it runs on gasoline.That's why after you jump start a car, you should probably run it for a while before you shut it off again.There is a little computer attached to the alternator that tells it to charge or stop charging the battery.That's a great little thing to have working because if you overcharge the battery, you can create hydrogen and that can cause the battery to explode.So why then do you have to buy a new car battery every so often? Well, because the batteries tend to not hold the charge as much as time goes by.Most 12 volt batteries actually hold close to 13 volts.A mechanic once told me that they call it 12 volt batteries because 13 is an unlucky number.I don't know if that's an urban legend or not.But either way, it holds more than 12 volts.Then over time it starts to fade.And when it can't hold much more than 12 volts anymore, than it's time to get a new battery.

Car Battery For Beginners



Battery Jump Starter Best Reviews Of Quick Cable Rescue 2000 12 & 24 Volt (12V / 24V) Dual Battery Booster Box Pack Jump Starter Heavy Duty For Commercial Vehicles, Cars, & Trucks


battery jump starter See Quick Cable Rescue 2000 12 & 24 Volt (12V / 24V) Dual Battery Booster Box Pack Jump Starter Heavy Duty for Commercial Vehicles, Cars, & Trucks Details



List Price : Price : $239.98
as of 2012-08-30 11:28 PM
Quick Cable Rescue 2000 12 & 24 Volt (12V / 24V) Dual Battery Booster Box Pack Jump Starter Heavy Duty for Commercial Vehicles, Cars, & Trucks

Product Description

12/24 Volt 700/1500 Peak Amp
Commercial Rescue Booster Pack

12 & 24 volt jump starting
Commercial Vehicles

Dual Heavy-Duty 20 amp hr batteries

700 Cold Cranking amps of power for 12 volt starting

900 peak amps with 400 Cold
Cranking Amps in 24 Volt Mode

Starts large Trucks and Diesel applications

62" long 2 ga. cables

Parrot Jaw shunted clamps

Reverse Polarity Protection

Area light for under the hood

Emergency flasher for road side safety

Built In Charger For added Convenience

12 volt accessory port


  • One Year Hassle Free Warrany!
  • Expidited Shipping Available!
  • Ships Within One Business Day!
  • 12 and 24 Volt!




Quick Cable Rescue 2000 12 & 24 Volt (12V / 24V) Dual Battery Booster Box Pack Jump Starter Heavy Duty for Commercial Vehicles, Cars, & Trucks Reviews


battery jump starter : Quick Cable Rescue 2000 12 & 24 Volt (12V / 24V) Dual Battery Booster Box Pack Jump Starter Heavy Duty for Commercial Vehicles, Cars, & Trucks Reviews


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Average Customer Review
1 Review
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 (1)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice and powerful, May 2, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase( What's this?)
This review is from: Quick Cable Rescue 2000 12 & 24 Volt (12V / 24V) Dual Battery Booster Box Pack Jump Starter Heavy Duty for Commercial Vehicles, Cars, & Trucks
I have jumped my F350 Diesel with this monster. It does everything I needed it too and more. Charging is really simple only down side is weight.
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Are Laptop Charger Adapters Necessary for Travel?

Are Laptop Charger Adapters Necessary for Travel?


You use your laptop to check emails, work while traveling and to upload photos to share with your friends and family.If you want to take your laptop, netbook or other form of computer with you when you travel, what do you need to ensure that you can plug it in wherever you are? Let's look at the requirements for traveling with your laptop.Simplest Solution for International Use Many or most laptops already have a power cord and adapter that's just about ready for international use.This is the cable with the rectangular black box situated somewhere along its length.Most of these cables can accept voltages from 100 to 240 volts, which will allow you to use electricity from pretty much anywhere.The issue though is you cannot plug it in at your destination because you will likely have a plug type (3 prong, etc) that won't fit into those funny little outlets in other countries.All you need is a simple adapter to allow the plug to fit into the country's outlet type.Your power cord will take care of the rest and accept whatever voltage the outlet throws at you.You can stay plugged in or you can plug in just to charge up the batteries.Laptop Chargers If you have lost or broken your original cable you can find universal chargers that fit many laptops.Ensure that the little round plug fits your laptop before you leave.Most come with an assortment of connections.Also make sure that the voltage is rated for 110 to 240v.You'll still need a plug adapter for your destination country, so the plug will physically fit into the wall outlet.Universal laptop chargers often come with USB outlets which are handy for charging other portable devices.Travel Adapter This is a little converter which will give you 110 volts (or whatever your voltage is) like back home.They often come with an assortment of plugs to fit outlets in different areas of the world.Use this if you have a few different electronic items that need "home style" voltage.It's quite easy to take your laptop overseas.First check your current power cable for its voltage rating, then make sure your plug will fit in to the outlet at your destination.That's really all there is to it! For each device you have, other than your laptop, check its power cable and determine if you need to purchase any other adapters or charging devices.

Are Laptop Charger Adapters Necessary for Travel?



3 Ways to Look After Your Car's Air Conditioner

3 Ways to Look After Your Car


Regular car maintenance may not always include a check of your air-conditioner.Your mechanic will be responsible for the major servicing activity that your car requires, but your air-conditioner may need a little personal attention.These days we have all become used to the comfort that air-conditioning provides, especially in our cars.Which of us have not had to jump into a hot car only to burn the backs of our thighs after the vehicle has been parked in the blazing sun? It's at times like these that we really come to value and effective air-conditioning system.Imagine how distraught you would feel when you discover that your air-conditioning has failed and you are destined to travel on the vehicle with temperatures approaching 40C.That's why it is worthwhile looking after your car air-conditioner properly.Here are three super tips for keeping your air-conditioner in tiptop condition so you can enjoy cool driving conditions.Refer to the manual that came with your car and read the specifications of your air-conditioning system.Here you will generally find parts which require regular maintenance and occasional replacement.This will include the compressor, the evaporator, hoses and belts and the troubleshooting guide will indicate tell-tale signs that your system needs servicing.Forewarned is forearmed in this regard, so reading the manual makes sense.Irrespective of how your system is running, make sure you have it serviced at least once a year, usually in spring.A quick check will highlight any pending problems and a repair job before summer will be the most important factor in keeping your cool.In the cooler months where your air-conditioner is not generally used, turn it on for at least 10 minutes once a month to keep the hoses from hardening.Make sure you turn the thermostat to the coldest temperature and that you run it at the highest fan speed.Run your car's defrost for 5 to 10 minutes after you have been using your air-conditioner for an extended period.This will dry out the evaporator core which is a good maintenance step for your air-conditioner.The older your vehicle is the more likely you are to experience a slow leakage of refrigerant.You need to have your system checked by a specialist because leakages can be extremely difficult to detect.Make sure you take your vehicle to a reputable servicing agent because this specialist attention can become quite expensive.Get at least three quotes before you decide to do anything.Using the air-conditioner during winter, especially to defog your windscreen, is a useful way of keeping your system in tiptop condition.

3 Ways to Look After Your Car