Battery/Charging System Service Information; Battery Charging; Battery Testing - Honda TRX450R Service Manual

BATTERY/CHARGING SYSTEM (After '05)
SERVICE INFORMATION
GENERAL
ikWARNING
• The battery gives off explosive gases; keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away. Provide adequate ventilation when
charging.
• The battery contains sulfuric acid (electrolyte). Contact with skin or eyes may cause severe burns. Wear protective
clothing and a face shield.
- If electrolyte gets on your skin, flush with water.
- If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and call a physician immediately.
• Electrolyte is poisonous.
- If swallowed, drink large quantities of water or milk and call your local Poison Control Center or a physician
immediately.
• Always turn the ignition switch to OFF before disconnecting any electrical component.
• Some electrical components may be damaged if terminals or connectors are connected or disconnected while the igni-
tion switch is turned to ON and current is present.
• For extended storage, remove the battery, give it a full charge, and store it in a cool, dry space.
• For a battery remaining in a stored vehicle, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal.
• The battery sealing caps should not be removed. Attempting to remove the sealing caps from the cells may damage the
battery.
• The maintenance free (MF) battery must be replaced when it reaches the end of its service life.
• The battery can be damaged if overcharged or undercharged, or if left to discharge for long period. These same condi-
tions contribute to shortening the "life span" of the battery. Even under normal use, the performance of the battery
deteriorates after 2 - 3 years.
• Battery voltage may recover after battery charging, but under heavy load, the battery voltage will drop quickly and
eventually die out. For this reason, the charging system is often suspected as the problem. Battery overcharge often
results from problems in the battery itself, which may appear to be an overcharging symptom. If one of the battery cells
is shorted and battery voltage does not increase, the regulator/rectifier supplies excess voltage to the battery. Under
these conditions, the electrolyte level goes down quickly.
• Before troubleshooting the charging system, check for proper use and maintenance of the battery. Check if the battery
is frequently under heavy load, such as having the headlight and taiflight on for long periods of time without riding the
vehicle.
• The battery will self-discharge when the vehicle is not in use. For this reason, charge the battery every 2 weeks to pre-
vent sulfation from occurring.
• Filling a new battery with electrolyte will produce some voltage, but in order to achieve its maximum performance,
always charge the battery. Also, the battery life is lengthened when it is initially charged.
• When checking the charging system, always follow the steps in the troubleshooting (page 21-5).
• For alternator removal/installation, see (page 21-12)
BATTERY CHARGING
• Turn power ON/OFF at the charger, not at the battery terminal.
• For battery charging, do not exceed the charging current and time specified on the battery. Using excessive current or
extending the charging time may damage the battery.
• Quick charging should only be done in an emergency; slow charging is preferred.
BATTERY TESTING
Refer to the instructions in the Operation Manual for the recommended battery tester for details about battery testing. The
recommended battery tester puts a "load" on the battery so that the actual battery condition can be measured.
Recommended battery tester: BM-210-AH (U.S.A. only), BM-210, BATTERY MATE (MTP08-0192, U.S.A. only) or equivalent
21-3