Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all Just bringing up the EFI 500 out from hibernation only to find the battery at 11 volts. (yes I know what I should have done but back to the now)I do have a 12 volt charger with the float charge bit and would like to use it as charging by riding to the old 13.8 volts would take forever and I only intend short trips at the moment. So - QUESTION - can I charge the battery in situ without damaging the electronic bits or would disconnecting the battery to charge cause any problem with said electronics when re connecting? Thanks

If it's a motorcycle trickle battery charger it's no problem.If it's a full blown heavy duty charger there's a danger of frying the battery.

Think about it Grunt.What will happen when you come to replace the battery?

Use a Memory Minder, available from auto accessories stores for about $15 AUS. It uses a 9 volt battery. Connect it to the N and P leads before disconnecting the battery. This will save all the programs from disappearing in the computer.

Memory Saver, about $7.50 from China.

There is absolutely no problem removing the battery from the bike to charge it. The ECU stores the fuelling and ignition maps in ROM, not RAM. All the necessary parameters are therefore safe. If you think about it the data would be lost when the ignition is switched off were it otherwise. Only any current faults would be erased, the ECU stores old faults. When the battery is reconnected any current faults would reappear. As there is no clock or radio stations to tune into there is nothing to do when the battery is reconnected.

Leon, thanks - I didn't know there was one on the market - I had thought or rigging eight 1.5 volt torch batteries in series with clips but want to avoid the hassle if possible.

Rattlebattle - problem solved. That's what I wanted to clarify - it was the problem with car batteries and radios that had me worried Cheers!

Not quite on topic but (and I would write this in capitals, but I don't want to be accused of shouting) do ensure that your battery is really up to the job before using the old electric leg. O.K. I know that this point has been made before, but, having been caught out away from home with an ailing battery, I ignored advice, pressed the button, and hey, smashed sprag clutch! My favourite bike people (Fire Fox, Keighley) sorted it (all parts obtained through Mr.H) and dealt with a few other minor niggles and fitted a new old stock rear wheel (again from Hitchcocks). It feels fabulous to have my bike back, but I can assure you it wasn't cheap. Please learn from my mistake. Could I add that I have no connection with Fire Fox, but they are approachable, and knowledgeable, and are not fazed by either my EFI Bullet nor my 1953 Villiers engined Dot, and are quite prepared to fabricate stuff such as a neater brake pedal for the aforementioned RE. A real "Can do" attitude.