Maintenance And Storage; Monthly Maintenance For Conventional And Yumicron Types; Storage; Sulfation And Freezing - Suzuki SV650/S Service Manual

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Maintenance
and Storage

Monthly Maintenance for Conventional and YuMicron Types

Batteries don't demand a lot of attention. But not giving
your batter y the attention it needs can leave you
stranded... or poorer by the cost of a new battery.
How often should you maintain a battery? About
monthly under usual conditions. However, recharging
is necessary when lights get dim, when the starter
sounds weak, or when the battery isn't used for more
than two weeks.
Important as it is, there's really not much to battery
maintenance. Basically, just follow the procedure out-
lined in the section "Inspecting a Battery."
That means:
Check electrolyte level.
G
Keep the top free of grime.
G
Check cables, clamps and case for obvious damage
G
or loose connections.
Clean terminals and connectors as necessary.
G
Make sure exhaust tube is free of kinks or clogs.
G
Replace caps, finger tighten only.
G
Then, test the battery with either a hydrometer or volt-
meter. Keep it charged to 100%.

Storage

If the vehicle is in storage or used infrequently,
disconnect the battery cable. That eliminates
drain from electrical equipment. Check battery every two
weeks and charge as necessary.
For extended storage, remove the battery from the vehicle
and charge to 100%. Charge the battery every month if
stored at temperatures below 60°F. Charge every two
weeks if stored in a warm area (above 60°F). Make sure
batteries are stored out of reach of children.

Sulfation and Freezing

Two of the biggest battery killers – sulfation and freez-
ing – aren't a problem if the battery is properly main-
tained and water level is kept where it should be.
Sulfation: This happens because of 1) continuous dis-
charging, or 2) low electrolyte levels.
Let's back up just a minute: we said earlier that dis-
charge turns the lead plates into lead sulfate. This lead
sulfate is actually a crystal. If the discharge continues
uninterrupted, the sulfate crystals grow and blossom
into sulfation – and a problem. The section titled
"Reasons for Self-discharge" has the gory details.
Much the same happens if the fluid level is too low,
which exposes the plates to air. Then the active lead
material oxidizes and sulfates, and it doesn't take long
before it won't hold a charge. (Low electrolyte levels
cause another problem, too: acid in the electrolyte
becomes more concentrated, causing material to cor-
rode and fall to the bottom. In sufficient quantity, it will
short out the battery.)
Keeping a battery charged, disconnecting the
battery cable during storage, and keeping
electrolyte levels up eliminate the problem.
For added protection, YUASA's YuMicron, YuMicron CX
and Sealed VRLA batteries are treated with a special
chemical formula called "Sulfate Stop." This dramatically
reduces sulfate crystal buildup on plates. The result: longer
battery life.
How good is Sulfate Stop?
We simulated a constant discharge condition on two
batteries with a 10-watt bulb.
Even after being totally drained for a week, the battery
with Sulfate Stop made a 90% recovery.
The untreated battery: useless.
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