There is a misconception that it is not necessary to charge maintenance-free batteries. But the fact is that if the batteries are kept discharged for a long period of time, battery life can be shortened. Vehicles like motorcycle, ATV or boats, or any type of lead acid battery should always be left in a fully charged condition.
Motorcycles are sometimes used only for seasonal rides or races. Even if the motorcycle is unused, it should be charged within a month, or it can be charged with a smart charger that will not let the battery be overcharged.
Like the motorcycle batteries, ATV batteries should also not be left without charging. If ATV batteries are not used for a long period of time, sulphation can arise on the battery plate which can cause the battery’s function to decrease and the battery can be difficult to charge or start the ATV. If an automatic battery charger with the standard unit of 120VAC outlets can be used, it will keep the battery fully charged and prevent sulphation. The average ATV battery is 6amp hours. At a 5amp charge, it would take 1.56 hours to be fully charged.
Boat batteries have a different purposes, and each has various advantages and disadvantages so it is very important to choose the charger carefully. Two types of chargers to consider: portable or on-board. Portable chargers are very useful especially for those batteries which are kept out of the boat for a long period of time. On-board chargers are more expensive than the portable batteries, but they are generally more technologically-advanced.
Whether it is a motorcycle, ATV or boat battery, those all have at least one thing in common: they need to be maintained properly and recharged in a timely manner.
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