Charging batteries for powersports is one of the most misunderstood and neglected applications. Too often these misconceptions lead to early failures of batteries that potentially could have lasted many years longer if proper care had been given. Especially when dealing with AGM technology, proper charging is critical to long-life. Fullriver/Full Throttle has observed one of the first issues is the lack of quality charger options in the marketplace for these smaller batteries. The marketplace is flooded with chargers for larger batteries (automotive, deep-cycle, solar, etc.) While it’s a desert when seeking quality options for small battery applications (jet-ski, snow mobile, motorcycle, atv).
Enter the “battery maintainer”, in most cases, just a glorified float charger, delivering mindless voltage and insignificant current. These extremely cheap options are certainly better than using nothing, but they leave much to be desired in terms of quality battery charging, the sort that leads to long, dependable battery life. Most often they come with a miniscule 1A output, fine for the smallest of batteries, they have other issues baked in. These maintainers will hold voltage levels, but they don’t do a lot of the technical work a battery really needs.
So, what does a battery really need? Power in the form of amperage, the proper voltage levels, all woven together by a great charging algorithm. Ideally, a charger’s output in amperage is ~10% of the battery’s capacity. Charging with up to 25% of a battery’s capacity, in many cases, can be even more beneficial. Batteries can vary greatly from one to the next on the ideal charging voltage. Some batteries are formed at the factory for a lower voltage requirement, while others need much more. It’s critical to get the power and voltage settings right. Which leads us to the charging algorithm…
How important is the charging algorithm? A battery charger with an algorithm that is attuned to the batteries’ needs, and responding smartly to the battery’s feedback is where the magic happens. Instead of charging all batteries like they’re all the same, a good algorithm is designed for a specific battery type. This specific algorithm can then take the battery through the paces (bulk, absorb, float) to ensure the right amount energy is returned to the battery, the chemistry in the battery is restored, and each cell’s voltage is balanced with the others, like it would have been the day it left the factory.
Fullriver has worked hard to offer the best application-based charging solutions for pairing with our various battery types. For Full Throttle, and our newest line, Full Throttle Starting (FTS), instead of reinventing the wheel, or sourcing a generic charger and slapping our label on it, we decided to partner with Optimate to craft two very specific solutions.
Optimate has made a name for itself in the world of battery charging. They came to Fullriver’s attention several years ago while searching for a very specific solution for our testing laboratory. Having seen their chargers under a veritable microscope, we were convinced they were the right partner for this new project. After a lot of conversation between our teams, we finally settled on a solution we felt would best serve our customers’ needs.
The new FT and FTS chargers offer a compact, durable, and intuitive charging solution for these lines of batteries. The 6A version can charge, maintain, recover, any AGM battery. With selectable voltage (14.4 and 14.7) and even a power supply mode for diagnostic and troubleshooting needs. The units include temperature compensation so that regardless of the ambient temperature, the battery receives optimal charge voltage. The 2A charger offers a worry-free solution to charge and maintain the entire FTS line. Both the 2A and 6A versions are IP54 rated for protection from the elements. The units can even be mounted to the vehicle and hardwired for on-board charging whenever you need it.
Fullriver/Full Throttle is excited to offer yet another solution for customers to experience even more peace of mind when searching for reliable power products. Check out all the great features and benefits of these beautiful little powerhouses on our website or ask your Full Throttle dealer for more information.
