2009 Kawasaki KFX450R Owners Manual - Page 130

128 MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT However, in order to maximize battery life and ensure that it will provide the power needed to start your vehicle you must properly maintain the battery's charge. When used regularly, the charging system in your vehicle helps keep the battery fully charged. If your vehicle is only used occasionally or for short periods of time, the battery is more likely to discharge. Due to their internal composition, batteries continually self discharge. The discharge rate depends on the type of battery and ambient temperature. As temperatures rise, so does the discharge rate. Every 15°C (27°F) doubles the rate. Electrical accessories, such as digital clocks and computer memory, also draw current from the battery even when the key is switched off. Combine such "key-off" draws with hot temperature, and a battery can go from fully charged to completely discharged in a matter of days. Self-discharge Approx. Number of Days From 100% Charged to 100% discharged Lead-Antimony Battery 100 Days 200 Days 550 Days Lead-Calcium Battery 300 Days 600 Days 950 Days Temperature 40°C (104°F) 25°C (77°F) 0°C (32°F) j Current Drain (Y50-N18L-A) Days from Days from 100% Discharg100% Charged Charged to 50% ing Ampere to 100% Discharged Discharged 7 mA 60 Days 119 Days 10 mA 42 Days 83 Days 15 mA 28 Days 56 Days 20 mA 21 Days 42 Days 30 mA 14 Days 28 Days In extremely cold weather the fluid in an inadequately charged battery can easily freeze, which can crack the case and buckle the plates. A fully charged battery can withstand sub-freezing temperatures with no damage. Battery Sulfation A common cause of battery failure is sulfation.