Service Manual

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16-27
Battery
Initial Charge
While a Sealed battery can be used after only filling with electrolyte, a battery may not be able to
sufficiently move a starter motor to start an engine in the cases shown in the table below, where an
initial charge is required before use. However, if a battery shows a terminal voltage of 12.6 V or more,
using a digital volt meter, after 10 minutes of filling, no initial charge is necessary.
Kawasaki-recommended chargers:
OptiMate III
Yuasa 1.5 Amp Automatic charger
Battery Mate 150–9
If the above chargers are not available, use equivalent one.
NOTE
○
To measure battery terminal voltage, use a digital voltmeter which can be read one decimal place
voltage.
Condition requiring initial charge Charging method
At low temperature (lower than 0°C) 1.8 A × 2 ∼ 3 hours
Battery has been stored under high temperature and humidity.
Seal sheet has been removed, or broken – peeling, tear or hole.
Battery two or more years old from date of manufacture.
Battery manufacturing date is printed on battery top.
Example) 12 1 0 99 T1
Day M onth Year Mfg. location
1.8 A × 15 ∼ 20 hours
Precautions
1) No need of topping-up
No topping-up is necessary in this battery until it ends its life under normal use. F
orcibly prying off the
seal cap to add water is very dangerous. Never do that.
2) Refreshing charge
If an engine will not start, a horn sounds weak, or lamps are dim, it indicates the battery has been
discharged. Give refresh charge for 5 to 10 hours with charge current shown in the specification
(see this chapter).
When a f ast charge is inevitably required, do it following precisely the maximum charge current
and time conditions indicated on the battery.
CAUTION
This battery is designed to sustain no unusual deterioration if refresh-charged according
to the method specified above. H
owever, the battery’s perfor m ance may be reduced no-
ticeably if charged under conditions other than given above. Never remo ve the seal cap
during refresh charge.
If by chance an excessive amount of gas is generated due to overcharging, the relief valve
releases the gas to keep the battery normal.
3) When you do not use the motorcycle for months:
Give a refresh charge before you store the motorcycle and store i t with the negative cable re-
moved. Give a refresh charge once a month during storage.
4) Battery life:
If the battery will not start the engine even after several refresh charges, the battery has ex-
ceeded its useful life. Replace it (Provided, however, the vehicle’s starting system has no prob-
lem).