Can Trickle Charging Damage Motorbike Battery?

Charging the motorbike battery is always a debated topic; some say you shouldn’t charge the motorbike battery at home, while some say differently. Now the question arises, can trickle charging damage motorbike batteries? 

Trickle charging can damage your motorbike battery if you leave the motorbike battery connected to it. Because most trickle chargers don’t come with the maintainer feature, which maintains the motorbike battery throughout the charging period. However, the trickle charger won’t cause any damage if it comes with an auto-cut OFF feature. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about charging the motorbike battery with the trickle charger. 

Can Trickle Charging Damage Motorbike Battery?

Trickle charging is a complex process; even one mistake can destroy your motorbike. Now the question arises, can trickle charging damage the motorbike battery?

Trickle charging can damage your motorbike battery if you leave the motorbike battery connected to it. Because most trickle chargers don’t come with the maintainer feature, which maintains the motorbike battery throughout the charging period. 

However, the trickle charger won’t cause any damage if it comes with an auto-cut OFF feature. 

When to Choose a Trickle Charger? 

Indeed you shouldn’t choose a trickle charger for a motorbike battery; now the question arises of when to select a trickle charger. 

It would be best if you choose a trickle charger if you want to charge the motorbike battery for a short period and don’t have any plan to store it for more than 7 weeks. Charging for a short period won’t damage your motorbike battery, and you’ll get charged every time. 

However, ensure you plug in the charger for a short duration, and the charger should function correctly. 

What Happens if You Keep a Trickle Charger Connected? 

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t keep the motorbike charger when storing the motorbike. Now the question arises, what happens if you own a trickle charger connected? 

If you leave the motorbike battery connected to the trickle charger, then your motorbike battery will be overcharged. This overcharging would cause battery overheating which could destroy your motorbike battery; in the worst, it can cause a fire. 

And that’s why experts always recommend not using the trickle charger when storing the motorbike. 

What to Use to Keep the Battery Charged During Storage? 

Indeed it would be best if you didn’t keep the motorbike battery connected through the battery trickle charger. Now the question arises, what to use to keep the battery charged during storage? 

Suppose you plan to store the motorbike for an extended period and want your battery to remain charged. In that case, you should connect your motorbike battery to the motorbike battery maintainer. The maintainer comes with an auto cut OFF feature, which cuts off power when your motorbike battery is fully charged. 

The maintainer also comes with voltage and electric current stabilization, which doesn’t let the fluctuation destroy your motorbike battery. It also stops charging if your motorbike battery starts overheating abnormally. 

And that’s why express recommends using a motorbike battery maintainer when storing the motorbike for an extended period to keep the battery healthy and increase its lifespan.  

For How Long Can You Connect the Motorbike Trickle Charger? 

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t use a motorbike trickle charger for extended storage periods. Now, how long can you connect the motorbike trickle charger? 

The duration you should use the motorbike trickle charger connected to the motorbike battery depends on the amp capacity of the trickle charger. For example, if your trickle charger comes with a 4 amp unit, you should let the motorbike battery connect for 24 hours. 

But suppose your trickle charger comes with a 2 amp unit. In that case, you shouldn’t let the motorbike battery connect for more than 24 hours. Doing this would destroy the motorbike battery by overheating. 

How Often Should You Use a Motorbike Trickle Charger? 

Indeed it would be best if you didn’t use a motorbike trickle charger when storing the motorbike for a long duration. Now the question arises, how often should you use a motorbike trickle charger? 

It would be best if you used a motorbike trickle charger every 30 days when storing the motorbike for a more extended period. Every motorbike battery starts losing charge in 30 days during winter storage.

Because of parasitic discharge, motorbike batteries lose all the current and voltage. Then it would be best if you used a trickle charger to get all the existing capacity back.  

Can You Leave the Trickle Charger Connected Overnight? 

So far, you understand that you shouldn’t use a trickle charger for a long duration. Now the question arises, can you leave the trickle charger connected overnight? 

Suppose you have an excellent quality trickle charger. In that case, you can leave the trickle charger connected overnight but remember that you shouldn’t leave the trickle charger connected for more than 24 hours, as doing this would damage your motorbike permanently. 

Or it’s better to not leave the motorbike trickle charger connected overnight, as doing this might cause a short circuit if your battery isn’t good. 

Motorbike Trickle Charger or Maintainer, What to Choose?

Indeed it would be best if you didn’t leave the motorbike trickle charger connected to the motorbike battery overnight. Now, what should you choose, a trickle charger or a maintainer? 

Suppose you’re going to store your motorbike battery for a long duration. In that case, you should go with the motorbike maintainer, as the maintainer will prevent your motorbike battery from getting down. A maintainer would maintain battery current or voltage and only charge the motorbike battery when it gets down.

The maintainer also auto-cuts OFF charging when the battery overheats and resumes when everything becomes normal. 

But if you want to charge the motorbike battery once in 30 days, then you should go with the motorbike trickle charger. 

Can You Leave a Trickle Charger on a Motorcycle All the Time?

Motorbike battery charging during winter is a really confusing topic among riders, especially when it comes to trickle chargers. And that’s why the question arises: can you always leave a trike charger on a motorcycle?

The trickle charger only charges your motorbike battery. It doesn’t come with any charger maintainer properties, which means it doesn’t maintain the current and voltage when you leave it connected to the battery. If you leave the trickle charger connected all the time, then it will overcharge your motorbike battery. 

In the worst case, it can destroy your motorbike battery and may cause a fire while charging. 

Are All trickle Chargers the Same? 

Indeed it would be best if you didn’t leave the battery connected to the trickle charger all the time. Now the question arises, are all trickle chargers the same? 

All trickle chargers aren’t the same as some that come with maintenance properties which means it stops charging when your motorbike battery is fully charged and starts changing when the battery loses its charge. This charger has an auto cut OFF feature, which prevents your motorbike battery from overcharging. 

These motorbike trickle chargers don’t cause any harm to your motorbike battery.  

If you’re confused about whether you should store your motorbike battery in winter or not then you should read my previous post where I discussed why you shouldn’t remove the motorbike battery during the winter 👉🏾👉🏾CLICK HERE👈🏾👈🏾  to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When to choose a trickle charger? 

It would be best if you chose a trickle charger when you want to charge the motorbike battery for a short period and don’t have any plan to store it for more than 7 weeks. Charging for a short period won’t damage your motorbike battery, and you’ll get charged every time. 

What happens if you keep a trickle charger connected? 

If you leave the motorbike battery connected to the trickle charger, then your motorbike battery will be overcharged. This overcharging would cause battery overheating which could destroy your motorbike battery; in the worst, it can cause a fire. 

What to use to keep the battery charged during storage? 

Suppose you plan to store the motorbike for an extended period and want your battery to remain charged. In that case, you should connect your motorbike battery to the motorbike battery maintainer. The maintainer comes with an auto cut OFF feature, which cuts off power when your motorbike battery is fully charged. 

For how long can you connect the motorbike trickle charger? 

The duration you should use the motorbike trickle charger connected to the motorbike battery depends on the amp capacity of the trickle charger. For example, if your trickle charger comes with a 4 amp unit, you should let the motorbike battery connect for 24 hours. 

How often should you use a motorbike trickle charger? 

It would be best if you used a motorbike trickle charger every 30 days when storing the motorbike for a more extended period. Every motorbike battery starts losing charge in 30 days during winter storage.

Final Verdict: 

Can Trickle Charging Damage Motorbike Battery? Trickle charging can damage your motorbike battery if you leave the motorbike battery connected to it. Because most trickle chargers don’t come with the maintainer feature, which maintains the motorbike battery throughout the charging period. However, the trickle charger won’t cause any damage if it comes with an auto-cut OFF feature. 

If you’re planning to store the motorbike for longer, then you should go with the motorbike maintainer. Elsewhere you can go with the trickle charger.