How to use a battery maintainer: here are some tips to keep your battery health

Many people ask us how to use a motorcycle battery maintainer. Indeed, this device can be very useful and can provide benefits to a motorcycle battery. However, some people do not know how to use it properly and they do not understand how this device can be important.

Some others have no idea what a battery maintainer is. By not using one, the latter have to change their motorcycle battery after a certain period of time, which is usually rather short.

If you want to get the best for your motorcycle, you need to learn how to use a motorcycle battery maintainer properly. In this article, you can get all the information you need on the topic. We will provide guidance and information on what a battery maintainer is, how to use this device and how to choose it in the market. Here is everything you need to know about it.

Motorcycle battery maintainer: what is it?

A motorcycle battery maintainer is a typically small size device. If you have no idea what it looks like, you should not imagine something bulky or that takes up a lot of space. On the contrary, a motorcycle battery maintainer is small and does not take up much space.

More specifically, it features a central body with a power cord and clamps/eyelets to connect to the battery poles. The main purpose of a battery maintainer for motorcycles is to maintain battery health. This will avoid draining the motorcycle battery, especially when you do not use your motorcycle for a long period of time.

It is always good to have an effective battery maintainer in your garage because it can prove to be really important, and it is a resource not to be underestimated.

What does a battery maintainer do and how does it work?

Having seen what a motorcycle battery maintainer is, it is important to understand how it works, which is easier than you may think.

The maintainer has two polarity cables that must be connected to the battery. In addition, the maintainer has a plug that must be connected to a power source. Having done this, the battery maintainer will make sure that the battery remains active by automatically activating the charge maintenance cycles. By doing this, when you later take your motorcycle out, you will avoid any unpleasant surprise. You can be sure that your battery is charged and your motorcycle is ready to start right away without issues.

Motorcycle battery maintainer: which one to choose

There are several battery maintainers for motorcycles and two-wheel vehicles on the market. Often, understanding which one to choose can be complicated. Perhaps, you, too, may have wondered how to choose the right battery maintainer. So, we want to give you the right advice from our experience in the field. In fact, there are some features that you should necessarily consider before purchasing a product like this.

As a first step, it is important to pay attention to the safety of this device. A battery maintainer should have the right safety measures in place that protect those who connect it to the battery and the motorcycle. In fact, a good battery maintainer has protection at the cable terminals and prevents short circuits or other dangerous operations.

In addition, it is essential to choose the right battery maintainer for your motorcycle battery. In fact, two types of products are available on the market: 6-volt and 12-volt. Before you choose the battery maintainer you need to buy, make sure you know the power rating of your battery. Otherwise, you may end up buying a product that is not compatible with your motorcycle and does not do its job right.

At the same time, we recommend that you also consider the type of battery you have. Some battery maintainers work only with lead-acid batteries and are not compatible with lithium batteries. To avoid a wrong purchase, you should opt for a product that is useful but, above all, compatible with your motorcycle’s battery. Our recommendation is to purchase a hybrid version.

That's right: there are motorcycle battery maintainers that are compatible with both lithium and lead-acid batteries. Buying such a device is the best choice because it allows you to have a product that is always right and can be used with any kind of motorcycle.

Finally, among the features to consider, it is also important to remember to buy a battery maintainer that is easy to use. With such a product, usually the best ones available online, you can be sure that your battery is kept in good shape at all times, and you can leave your motorcycle idle without having to worry about the battery.

Does a battery maintainer damage the battery?

Now let’s talk about something that many motorcycle enthusiasts often point out. It is commonly believed that a battery maintainer, in the long run, damages the battery. But is this true or false? Some may think so because of what this device actually does. In fact, it never allows the battery to drain, so one might think that the maintainer alters the battery state. But is this really the case?

Actually, the answer is: not at all. The purpose of a battery maintainer is precisely to keep a motorcycle battery health. Moreover, these devices not only work with two-wheelers but are also used with other types of vehicles, such as cars or even RVs, if they use a 6-12 V battery.

So many people have found advantages and benefits in using such a device. However, it should be specified that a battery, even if well maintained, has some internal components that deteriorate in the long term, requiring battery replacement. However, even frequent use of the maintainer does not cause alterations or issues to the motorcycle: do not believe this false rumor. As proof of this, many people have been using this device for a long time and have never been happier.

What are the advantages of such a device?

You should also look at the advantages that a motorcycle battery maintainer can offer to a motorcyclist. There are several benefits worth knowing about. For example, a good battery maintainer, as mentioned earlier, keeps the battery heath. This increases its life, and you will not be forced to change it after a short while.

You should also know that a well-made battery maintainer will prevent the battery from being overcharged. Again, it is important to remember that a device like this is not a battery charger and should not be used as one.

In addition, a battery maintainer is also a protection device that can help whenever you want to ride your motorcycle after a while. For example, when the motorcycle sits idle for months in winter, it would be a good idea to charge its battery so that it will be ready to go in the spring. By preventing alterations or overcharging, you will also be able to avoid issues that can affect you personally and cause fires or potential hazards in your garage.

How to properly connect a motorcycle battery maintainer

The procedure for connecting a motorcycle battery maintainer is simple. In fact, anyone can do it, even those who may not be familiar with these devices or are new to maintaining their motorcycles. One of the parts that make up the battery maintainer is the polarity cables.

So, the first thing you need to do is to locate the cables and where they should be plugged in. Remember that you have to connect the positive (red) cable to the positive pole and the negative (black) cable to the negative pole. Check several times that you have done this correctly. Otherwise, you may damage the battery or cause issues to the motorcycle. As mentioned before, it is good to choose a battery maintainer that has the proper precautions and safety systems in place to prevent such hazards.

Going back to the connection procedure, after you have correctly connected the polarity cables, plug the battery maintainer into the power socket. Make sure to have power running through and that everything is working perfectly. After this last step, your connection is all set.

To check that everything is okay, most battery maintainers have a processor with a system that indicates whether charging is taking place properly. Check that the maintainer is on and that there are no active warning lights. After the final checks, you are done.

Don't forget that you can keep the battery maintainer on for quiete some time, even taking the battery off your motorcycle. The purpose of this device is precisely to preserve battery health even when you are not using your motorcycle! 

How to choose a good battery maintainer

As seen, a battery maintainer is a very important device. In fact, we always recommend anyone to make this investment because it is worth buying such a device and having one at your disposal at all times, especially if you are maniac when it comes to taking care of your motorcycle.

But how much does a good battery maintainer cost? The price can vary depending on the features. Needless to say, the best quality products are more expensive. Plus, the brand name of a particular device can also affect the price. Hybrid motorcycle battery maintainers, meaning those that are compatible with lithium and acid-based batteries, can have a higher price.

In any case, the price range of a good battery maintainer is between 50 and 100 dollars. Before purchasing it, we recommend that you perform a careful assessment. Buying an expensive battery maintainer may not always prove to be a wise choice. In fact, maybe you spend a lot of money but end up with a battery maintainer that is not compatible with your motorcycle battery.

That’s why you should make your purchase based on two factors: the features of your motorcycle and your budget. Follow this advice, and you will be able to make the right purchase that will also prove to be rewarding in so many ways.

Where to use a motorcycle battery maintainer?

Now that you know how to connect a motorcycle battery maintainer and how to purchase one, it is time to see where to use it. The device has one obvious limitation. It cannot be used outdoors because it requires a power socket.

This means that, on the one hand, if you have a garage or shed available where you can park your motorcycle, you can use a battery maintainer. In this case, if you haven’t already done so, our advice is to buy a top-quality battery maintainer as soon as possible. You may need this product all the time, so you keep it handy at all times. On the other hand, if you do not have a dedicated area where to park your vehicle, you can take out the battery and recharge it without it necessarily being in the same place where your motorcycle is.

However, if you don't have a garage and you keep your motorcycle on the street, our recommendation is to keep your motorcycle battery from discharging by starting your motorcycle at regular intervals. Do not keep your vehicle stopped for too long. Start it and check that the battery is still charged. After a few minutes, you can turn off the motorcycle. This will give the battery a boost, preventing it from discharging completely.

After reviewing these two scenarios and seeing the difference, we are sure you will be even more convinced that a battery maintainer is a useful device to always keep handy.

When to use a motorcycle battery maintainer?

A motorcycle battery maintainer can always be used. Not surprisingly, there are devices that can be used all year round with no issues. However, special situations may arise. We know that people who use motorcycles every day perhaps do not always use one; in fact, they might not even have considered buying a battery maintainer at all.

Keep in mind that even if you use your motorcycle regularly, such a device can always come in handy. In fact, there are certain times of the year when you need to be careful, and a battery maintainer can preserve your battery and, consequently, your motorcycle.

For example, you can use a battery maintainer before you leave for vacation. Usually, when you are about to leave for a vacation, you make sure that everything is going well. However, you might forget about your motorcycle. Being away for a week or two, or even a month can be bad for your motorcycle battery. This is especially the case if you go on vacation in winter.

To avoid unpleasant surprises when returning from vacation, you can use a battery maintainer. We know many motorcyclists who returned from their hard-earned vacation and could not go to work because of a dead motorcycle battery. Avoid this beginner's mistake by using a motorcycle battery maintainer.

Another period during the year when it is a good idea to use one is wintertime. In fact, many people during winter rest and stay at home for several days, never going out on their motorcycle. Plus, in winter, the temperatures are low and can affect motorcycle components such as the battery.

In most cases, a battery that sits idle in low temperatures for several days will not start. Once again, a battery maintainer can save the day because it is designed precisely to avoid these situations.

Where to buy a motorcycle battery maintainer?

Although some people prefer to build their own DIY battery maintainer, as experts, we always recommend buying a device manufactured by the best brands in the industry. Doing so will guarantee you that the product will work properly. In addition, you can rest assured that your battery will stay charged and work properly without any issues.

Where can you buy this product? We certainly recommend our careful selection. In fact, on our website at Athena.eu, in the Electrical spare parts category, you can find a reliable battery maintainer and accessories to keep your motorcycle in top shape and always ready to go.