Testing motorcycle battery – the why and how of testing

Testing Motorcycle Battery is essential to keep your battery performing at its best. In this blog, we will discuss the complete ins-and-outs of testing motorcycle battery.

We aim to enhance your knowledge regarding battery testing, to empower them while also contributing towards a safer riding environment.Without further ado, let’s dig into the importance of testing motorcycle battery.

The importance of testing motorcycle battery

Before diving into the particular processes of motorcycle battery testing, it is important to comprehend why they need to be tested. Testing motorcycle battery is very important towards reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and the frustrating engine cranking.

It is not possible to keep an accurate track of the battery’s life from memory, hence making the testing of motorcycle batteries all the more important.

By frequently testing motorcycle battery, you can anticipate battery drainage beforehand. This will subsequently allow you to take appropriate action by getting the battery tested and replaced before it becomes a road safety hazard, or ends up disappointing you during riding.

Coming down to the mechanical aspect of things, one of the primary reasons why motorcycle battery testing is needed is due to the role batteries play in supplying power to the engine systems.

In addition to that, other important elements of a motorcycle are also powered by the battery, such as the lights and indicators of a motorcycle. Motorcycle battery is responsible for powering the headlights, tail-lights and indicators.

So, if you fail to regularly test your motorcycle battery pack and it gradually ends up draining, it will subsequently result in your motorcycle lighting either dimming, flickering or even fusing.

It can therefore be summarised that testing motorcycle battery is not just important towards powering the engine, but is also equally vital towards the safety of the ride as vehicle lighting is absolutely crucial towards aiding visibility and road awareness.

When does a motorcycle battery need testing?

As highlighted earlier, motorcycle batteries have a life of around two-five years, depending on the type of battery being installed. However, it is also very possible that your battery gives up on you earlier out of the blue.

For that reason, we suggest checking battery on a range of different instances. It is always wise to test battery before leaving on a lengthy journey as it would end up saving you from a lot of hassle, especially if you are riding towards remote areas where it is not possible to find a replacement battery easily.

Another instance where testing motorcycle battery is highly recommended when it has not been in use for extended periods of time. This is because batteries are likely to discharge themselves if they are not in regular use.

Parameters of testing motorcycle batteries

Several parameters of the batteries need to be tested to accurately test motorcycle’s battery health.

Some of the key parameters are:

● Voltage: This is the most important parameter to be tested since its value is related to battery status and battery performance. A fully charged 48v battery will likely be between 51.1v to 58.8v. Whereas, a voltage of less than that is trouble and means that your battery likely needs to be replaced.

● Cranking amps (CCA): This is the total current that a battery can supply in the short run. The CCA indicator is important as it determines whether the battery is sufficient to continue to ignite a motorcycle’s engine. The ideal CCA for your motorcycle depends on the size of your vehicle, but on average a 300 CCA should be sufficient for most motorcycles.

● Specific gravity: This parametre basically highlights the electrolyte concentration in the battery. A rating of between 1.265 to 1.280 means that the battery is fully charged. However, a reading of between 1.230 to 1.260 would likely mean that the motorcycle battery needs to be replaced.

Tools needed for testing motorcycle battery

The tools required to carry out motorcycle battery testing are:

● Multimeter: This will be required to measure the voltage, current and resistance

● Hydrometer: This will be needed to acquire electrolyte if lead-acid batteries are being tested

● Battery charger: This will be used to charge a weakly charged motorcycle battery.

● Cleaning rag: A cleaning rag will be required to clean the battery terminals. For lead acid battery, their battery terminals need cleaning as oftentimes lead sulphate is crammed up around them due to corrosion

Methods for testing motorcycle battery

Motorcycle battery testing can be carried out using different methods. For the purpose of relevance, we will discuss the two most common battery testing methods for motorcycles.

1. Voltage Testing Method

This is the most commonly used battery testing method, mainly because of its simplicity. Here are the steps needed to be undertaken for testing motorcycle battery using this method:

● First set the multimeter to the DC voltage setting

● Then connect the positive (red) side of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the battery and the negative (black) probe to the negative terminal accordingly

● Read the voltage displayed on the multimeter

● Next, compare the voltage reading to the manufacturer specifications to determine the battery’s charge level

2. Specific Gravity Testing (For Lead-Acid Batteries)

This testing method is largely suitable for lead-acid batteries, which are also known as flooded batteries. This method is also fairly simple as it involves testing the electrolyte in the current motorcycle battery to assess its health.

Here are the steps needed for testing motorcycle battery using this method:

● First use the hydrometer to acquire electrolyte from each cell of the battery

● Then place the hydrometer in the acquired electrolyte and measure the specific gravity reading

● Next, compare the specific gravity readings to the manufacturer specifications

How to interpret the testing result?

Interpreting the battery testing results is very important as that will be the overall indicator of whether or not your motorcycle’s battery needs replacement. For the two testing methods discussed above, the interpretation of results is fairly similar and simple in nature.

Under the voltage testing method, if the reading on the multimeter is shown to be between 51.1 to 51.8 volts, that means that the battery is fully charged. However, a voltage of less than 51.1v on the multimeter would mean that your battery is weak and needs to be replaced.

Similarly, using the specific gravity testing method, a reading of between 1.265 to 1.280 can be interpreted as a fully charged lead-acid battery. On the other hand, a reading lower than 1.250 would mean that your battery is almost completely utilised and needs replacement.

Will different batteries have different test results?

Different types of batteries will certainly have different testing results. For instance, lithium ion batteries have a higher voltage, which subsequently means that the voltage reading shown for these batteries will be slightly higher than those of lead-acid batteries.

This is because lead-acid batteries tend to incorporate a more fluctuating voltage charge and hence, their average reading is likely to be lower than that of the lithium ion batteries.

The table below draws up a comparison showing the difference between the test results between the two types of battery cells discussed:

How often to test motorcycle battery?

Testing motorcycle battery largely depends on a combination of a few different factors. If your motorcycle usage is not very regular, then you must test your battery every time before usage. However, if your usage is more frequent in nature, then testing the battery once every two months should be sufficient.

Moreover, the age of your battery can also influence how often you should ideally test the motorcycle battery. If you are into the second or third year of your battery, then the testing should be carried out at least once every 4 weeks.

How motorcycle swap station test motorcycle battery?

Motorcycle swap stations test motorcycle batteries in an organised and intelligent manner. Here’s a step-by-step guide as to how they perform motorcycle battery testing:

Visual inspection: Swap station battery users should inspect the battery case and cables for any obvious signs of damage, corrosion, or wear. If you find that there is a problem with the lithium ion battery structure, you can contact customer service for warranty treatment.

Cloud detection: After the user returns the battery. The battery replacement station will use an advanced testing platform to test the battery. Monitor the voltage and current output of the battery.

Charge Test: The battery is connected to the charger and the charging process is monitored to ensure it is charging properly. The swap station background can evaluate various parameters, such as charging and discharging overcurrent, charging and discharging overtemperature, and other factors that may affect battery performance.

On-the-spot inspection: Swap station staff will regularly inspect the charging station facilities to ensure that all cables and connections are tight and free of corrosion.

Conclusion

To put it in a nutshell, frequently testing motorcycle battery is highly recommended as it will not just help you avoid getting stuck in a helpless situation, but is also very important for road safety.

Make sure to use our blog as your guide to testing your beloved motorcycle’s battery. In addition to that, do not forget to share this guide with your friends and family, who may not be very recurrent when it comes to testing motorcycle battery.