ATV-UTV

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BATTERIES

BATTERIES

How do you determine whether a conventionnal battery or AGM battery has been charged properly ? After the battery has undergone charging (as per battery manufacturer’s specifications), the following caracteristics will tell you if a conventionnal or AGM battery has been charged properly : 1-For conventional batteries, specific gravity of the acid must be 1,265 or higher (4 balls or more floating), or the terminal voltage must read 12.5 volts or higher. 2-For AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat, also referred to as maintenance free) batteries, the terminal volt age must read 12.8 volts or higher. (check with voltmeter).

Why should you charge your battery once a month? When not in use, a battery discharges on a daily basis sometimes up to 0.5 to 1%. This rate of discharge increases when the climate is warm. To make up for this loss from disuse, connect your battery to Yuasa’s 12V automatic Charger to maintain a constant float charge during the extended time between uses.

Why do winter months seem to bring more battery problems ? The main reason is that the batteries have to work so much harder in cold weather. Engine oil is thick, so engine cranking effort is much higher. Also a battery’s charging efficiency decreases in cold temperatures. In addition, gasoline does not vaporize as readily in the cold, which means that even more battery cranking effort is required.

The Yumicron battery The Yuasa YuMicron gives you a powerful advantage. Its high technology separators allow two extra plates per cell to be installed, for a 30% improvement in cranking performance. The Power Advantage This added power is an outstanding benefit for heavily accessorized machines or high compression engines. Its high cranking power is also a real bonus for easier starting.

Yuasa’s YTZ factory activated, maintenance free batteries More powerful, More Compact. Yuasa has developed a more compact, higher cranking, spill-proof, maintenance free battery. This new generation in battery technology provides many benefits to motorcycle and scooter users. The YTZ batteries pack more power, discharge less in storage and have a longer life than conventional batteries. Best of all, our spill-proof design and construction prevents leaks - making it the safest alternative for your vehicle needs. The YTZ battery has passed vibration and pressure differential spill-proof tests required by the I.A.T.A. (International Air Transport Association). The Yumicron CX battery The YuMicron CX was the first small engine starting battery to use ‘’lead calcium’’ technology. This special technology means the YuMicron CX generated more power, requires less maintenance, and lasts longer that any other conventional battery. More Power Because of its unique design, the CX will generate 5% to 8% more cold cranking amperage that our own high-output YuMicron lead-antimony battery. For high compression machines, this means greater reserve capacity and more starting power. Less Maintenance The YuMicron CX lead calcium technology also reduces water loss, so the CX requires servicing (water filling) only about one-eighth as often as ordinary lead-antimony types. Longer Life The YuMicron CX holds its specific gravity more than three times as long as the lead-antimony type batteries resulting in a longer shelf life. This feature means longer periods between charges, especially.

High performance batteries, the heavyweights in Yuasa’s maintenance free line More starting Power, More Reserve Capacity. If high power is top priority in a replacement battery, look to the heavyweight champs. Yuasa’s High performance, Maintenance Free Batteries. More lead plates (a dozen more in each battery) and radial grid design deliver more cranking amps, greater conductivity and reserve capacity to spare. And, they provide all the user-friendly features that keep customers asking for Yuasa. The conventional battery A workhorse battery engineered to protect against corrosion, withstand vibration and deliver high cranking power. The industry standard for motorcycles and riding mowers, our Conventional Battery is anything but conventional. This workhorse is for applications requiring operation on uneven surfaces and vibrating environments – even when the weather’s dealing its worst. It’s the rugged, reliable and dependable battery that customers are looking for! Lowest Self Discharge (ambient temperatue of storage at 77°)

Sometimes a battery does not hold a charge. Why ? When a battery is in an excessively discharged state, it does not readily accept a high current charge. The battery may appear to be accepting charge, but charging is occuring only at the surface of the plates overheating the plates and destroying the battery. In such a case, the battery must be charged of a low current flow for an extended period of time.

What is sulfation ? Sulfation is the crystal formation of lead sulfate on the battery plates or cells and one of the biggest battery killers. This happens two ways: 1- When discharging continues uninterrupted, the crystals grow and blossom into sulfation. 2- When the battery plates are exposed to air due to low electrolyte level, the active lead material oxidizes and sulfates. Once the plates have been sulfated, the activity of the affected area is severely impaired, and the battery will begin to lose life.

How should a battery be maintained ? Good battery maintenance should include the following: 1- Always keep the acid level between LOWER and UPPER lines on conventional batteries. 2- Never allow the battery to stand in a discharged condition. 3- If necessary, charge the battery once a month with Yuasa’s 12V Automatic Charger. 4- Keep battery clean, dry and free of dirt, Clean battery terminals to prevent corrosion. 5- Inspect vent tube, ensuring that it is not bent, twisted or clogged. 6- Check cables, terminals and case for obvious damage or loose connections. What can cause a new battery to fail soon after installation ? If a new battery becomes unserviceable within a few days or weeks, after its installation, it may be due to one or more of the following reasons: 1- The battery has been activated incorrectly, dissipating its strength from the outset. 2- The battery has been left too long without proper initial charging or has been allowed to become sulfated from disuse. 3- A faulty charging system 4- A short circuit in the electrical system. 5- Battery terminals become disconnected 6- Electrical capacity of the battery is insufficient for size of the vehicle. 7- A blown fuse.

Cold Cranking Amperage Table

The maintenance free battery VRLA Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Technology is an advanced battery design used in Yuasa’s Maintenance Free Batteries that eliminates water loss. Once it’s filled with acid the battery is permanently sealed - so you’ll never need to fill it with water or check the acid level. Long Life Because of its lead calcium design, the VRLA battery will hold its specific gravity more than three times longer than conventional lead antimony types. This means much longer periods between charges when the battery is used in a standby mode, like winter storage. And to remain factory-fresh the VRLA battery is shipped dry along with its own pack of high-gravity acid that’s added at the time of installation. Sealed, non-spillable. Once filled with acid from its special packs, the VRLA battery is virtually maintenance free. It’s totally sealed and all of the acid is absorbed in the special plates and separators, so there is no need to worry about acid leaks on valuable vehicle parts and accessories.

What is the purpose of the battery exhaust vent tube ? When a conventionnal battery is charged and discharged, water contained in the electrolyte is decomposed, generating hydrogen and oxygen gases. These gases are vented out of the battery through the exhaust vent tube to prevent potentially damaging high pressure gas accumulation. Be sure to remove sealed tube when installing a new battery. AGM batteries (maintenance free batteries) do not have an exhaust vent tube. They have a built-in safety valve that ventgases.

Comparison of water loss by alloy type

What is the normal charge rate for a battery ? Naturally, batteries of different capacities require different charge rates. Generally a battery should be charged at a slow rate of 1/10 its rated capacity in amps.