Gel Battery Charger on a F650GS?

Magwah · 06-18-2012, 01:36 PM

I have an Advanced Battery Charging System from my 1150GS. It is designed for use on a gel battery. Can I use this on my new F650GS? Don't know if it IS a gel battery. This whole gel battery charging thing has always been a confusing issue...and continues to be. Thanks.

Jeff@TheQuadShop · 06-18-2012, 01:38 PM

Basically Gel batteries liked to be charged at 2amps or less. Charging on anything higher than that can burn holes in the Gel.

TowPro · 06-18-2012, 06:10 PM

Gel cell is different then AGM, is different then just plain water batteries. Each has a favorite voltage to charge at.

Walmart sells a Schumacher SEM-1562A 1.5 Amp battery charger for $19.00 that works great on the AGM battery. It even has a desulfation stage to help extend the life of your battery. For less then $20.00, it ain't worth taking the chance. I don't know how old yours is, but battery chargers have come a long way the last couple years

Since the thread about charging systems points out that BMW don't charge batteries at high enough voltage for AGM, I run my Schumacher on it at least once per month and let it through the desulfation stage if it feels it needs to. 1.5 years on stock battery and it's still doing well.

Magwah · 06-21-2012, 01:57 PM

Other threads on this have said that it is like splitting hairs. Some chargers may charge at a slightly lower voltage which gets your battery to maybe 80% charge but it doesn't matter as they get to 100% when ridden. The charging is only to maintain them from full discharge until you get out and ride again.

TowPro · 06-21-2012, 03:11 PM

but they don't get charged 100% while riding. At least according to all the research in this thread. (There are people in this thread with much electronic background, with lots of real information in the thread).
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706033

this is just another reason why I put my charger on every 2 weeks or so even during riding season. My modern computer charger sends the correct voltage to the battery to fully charge it, as well as putting the battery through the desulfation mode if needed.

And just doing it is proof. If I ride the bike a couple days, then hook up the charger it takes several hours for the charger to finish charging. If I let it sit for a couple days, then plug the charger in, the charger finishes in less then 1 hour. Proof to me the battery is has less charge after riding then if I left sitting for the same time frame.

06-18-2012, 01:36 PM	#1
Magwah ^OP UNDAUNTED!!! Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Mid Hudson Valley Oddometer: 140	Gel Battery Charger on a F650GS? I have an Advanced Battery Charging System from my 1150GS. It is designed for use on a gel battery. Can I use this on my new F650GS? Don't know if it IS a gel battery. This whole gel battery charging thing has always been a confusing issue...and continues to be. Thanks.

06-18-2012, 01:38 PM	#2
Jeff@TheQuadShop TAT survivor Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Crestwood, Kentucky Oddometer: 4,437	Basically Gel batteries liked to be charged at 2amps or less. Charging on anything higher than that can burn holes in the Gel. __________________ 1998 RMX 250 singletrack bike 96 XR600 adventure bike KY state Vet A offroad champion TAT and TWVT survivor

06-18-2012, 06:10 PM	#3
TowPro I want to ride Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Compass PA Oddometer: 1,785	Gel cell is different then AGM, is different then just plain water batteries. Each has a favorite voltage to charge at. Walmart sells a Schumacher SEM-1562A 1.5 Amp battery charger for $19.00 that works great on the AGM battery. It even has a desulfation stage to help extend the life of your battery. For less then $20.00, it ain't worth taking the chance. I don't know how old yours is, but battery chargers have come a long way the last couple years Since the thread about charging systems points out that BMW don't charge batteries at high enough voltage for AGM, I run my Schumacher on it at least once per month and let it through the desulfation stage if it feels it needs to. 1.5 years on stock battery and it's still doing well. __________________ 2010 F800GS Stone Road Touring bike!

06-21-2012, 03:11 PM	#5
TowPro I want to ride Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Compass PA Oddometer: 1,785	but they don't get charged 100% while riding. At least according to all the research in this thread. (There are people in this thread with much electronic background, with lots of real information in the thread). http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706033 this is just another reason why I put my charger on every 2 weeks or so even during riding season. My modern computer charger sends the correct voltage to the battery to fully charge it, as well as putting the battery through the desulfation mode if needed. And just doing it is proof. If I ride the bike a couple days, then hook up the charger it takes several hours for the charger to finish charging. If I let it sit for a couple days, then plug the charger in, the charger finishes in less then 1 hour. Proof to me the battery is has less charge after riding then if I left sitting for the same time frame. __________________ 2010 F800GS Stone Road Touring bike!

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06-21-2012, 01:57 PM	#4
Magwah ^OP UNDAUNTED!!! Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Mid Hudson Valley Oddometer: 140	Other threads on this have said that it is like splitting hairs. Some chargers may charge at a slightly lower voltage which gets your battery to maybe 80% charge but it doesn't matter as they get to 100% when ridden. The charging is only to maintain them from full discharge until you get out and ride again.