The Power Behind the E-Button!

I'm not a battery expert by any means, so I relied on a very detailed and comprehensive comparison of five similar devices that appeared in "WING WORLD" (August 2002), a magazine published for Honda Gold Wing enthusiasts. Without even attempting to understand all the technical jargon involved, I simply bought the one they rated best, and I've never regretted it. I was previously using a cheap ($19.95) battery charger/maintainer, which ruined an $80 Gold Wing battery and a $68 ATV battery over the course of one year. Since buying and using the Yuasa 1,5 Amp Automatic Charger two years ago, I have had no further problems, my batteries perform good as new, and they last longer. I cannot and will not say that the Yuasa is the best such device on the market, however. There are several other similar devices that are also popular. I can only say that the Yuasa 1.5 Amp Automatic Charger has worked beautifully for me for over two years. I have tried to revive three badly sulfated batteries (batteries left idle for over a year), and one actually came back to life and has been working fine ever since. The other two were just too far gone.

The Yuasa 1.5 Amp Automatic Charger (YUA1201501) is much, much more than just a battery charger. It utilizes a five-cycle program to test the battery, determine what level of charging it needs, bring the battery to full charge, and then keep it there without overcharging. You can connect it to your battery and then disconnect it after charging, or you can connect it and leave it indefinitely. If left attached for 28 days or more, the elusive 5th cycle kicks in and starts the charging process all over again to exercise the battery to keep it fresh. I've only seen this occur a few times, however, since I'm constantly moving the charger around to maintain five motorcycle batteries. To prevent sulfation (it's bad for the battery) I try to avoid letting a battery sit idle for more than 14 days without taking its turn at the charger.

The Yuasa 1.5 Amp Automatic Charger is very complex in what it does, but very easy for us to use. Here's the routine you must follow: Step 1 - Plug it in and connect it to your battery.

Were you expecting more? Sorry, but that's all there is to it! Oh wait...I guess you'll want to disconnect it before you go riding. My mistake. It's a complex two-step operation after all! Want more details? Okay. Then read the instructions printed right on top of the unit. Plug it into a wall outlet, connect it to your battery, and watch the three little lights.

RED: If the charger is getting power from the wall outlet, the red light comes on. If it's flashing, then you have the battery connected backwards, or the battery is so bad it's acting like a dead short.

YELLOW: When flashing, the battery is being tested automatically. When it stays lit, the battery is being charged. When it goes out, the battery has been charged and is ready for use.

GREEN: When lit, the battery is fully charged and is being maintained at full charge.

Here's what I do: Plug it into the wall outlet, connect it to the battery, and wait for the yellow light to start flashing. Then I go do something else (that something else often involves pizza). Later, be it an hour or a week, when the green light is on, I'll move the charger to another battery and repeat the process. Again, I try to avoid letting a battery sit idle for more than 14 days. I also try to avoid going without pizza for more than 14 days.

The Yuasa 1.5 Amp Automatic Charger has a standard, two-wire output connector, to which we attach one of the two different output connector leads included with the charger. One is simply a pair of alligator clips that you can connect to any 12 volt battery (red to positive, black to negative). Yuasa sells this lead separately (YUA00ACC02) for $5.25. I don't think I've ever used mine, though. The other lead is a fused Ring Connector lead that attaches directly to your battery terminals. Yuasa sells this lead separately (YUA00ACC04) for $6.75 with a fuse block and fuse cover. I buy one for each motorcycle, and attach the lead permanently to the bike, after shortening it to the necessary length. I've included photos of where I installed them on my CRF230F and CRF250X. You can save about a buck per assembly by buying the parts at an auto parts store and making your own if you have the soldering tools and insulation required, but it's a lot of work to save a buck if you ask me.

The Yuasa 1.5 Amp Automatic Charger will go as high as 16 volts in its attempts to revive a badly sulfated battery, but you won't even know it unless the battery is just too far gone to revive. Then the red light starts flashing to let you know something is wrong. Otherwise, the charger does all its magic so automatically, you can just connect it and forget it. I've no experience with other chargers making similar claims, but WING WORLD rated this one as the best in the group, and my personal experience has been nothing but... well... positive!

Battery Humor:

Doctor: "I'm sorry Mr. Battery, but you have a very serious illness."

Mr. Battery: "Well tell me the truth, doc... is it terminal?"

Black Wire: "Are you sure we have voltage in us?"

Red Wire: "I'm positive!"

Store Clerk: "How would you like to pay for your new battery, sir?"

Customer: "I'll charge it."

Review by: Gordon L. Banks, October 2004
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