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BEWARE Boost/Chargers and Boost Packs

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:28 am
by magg
It appears I have lead a sheltered life and have only recently discovered boost battery chargers and battery boost packs.

Beware how you use them on your motorcycle, particularly in boost mode. From the info I have seen they significantly boost the voltage which may be ok for a car battery based electrical system but should not be used on a motorcycle electrical system.

Although most motorcycle electrical components will survive momentary over-voltage, the ignition control unit has an internal over-voltage protection device that if subjected to repeated severe over-voltage, or simply one shot of way too much, can catastrophically fail i.e. smoke and blown fuses. The over-voltage device is for suppressing voltage spikes that usually last only micro/milli seconds, not for seconds/minutes.

Even using a car battery charger as a jumper battery to your bike battery could be unwise. The output voltage of a car battery charger may be considerably higher than desirably. Unless you know exactly what is coming out of the car battery charger I would keep your car battery charger away from your bike electrical system.

Re: BEWARE Boost/Chargers and Boost Packs

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:47 am
by Morespeedvicar
I've used a car charger on bikes for years, but i always monitor voltage when im charing and never leave it alone on charge, and am mega carfull with wat im doing. Wonder wat would happen if you put a boost pack on a lipo battery? Could be good fun................