Dry cell battery

[Juggsy1]

Without making it too overly complex, I have a six volt dry cell battery I'm going to fit into a 1952 James motorbike.
Although hopefully the alternator will put out enough to keep it charged, if I need to boost it now and then what battery charger would I need. On lead acid battery's it's no problem cos my charger switches to six volt anyway.
Can't remember where I bought it otherwise I'd ask them.
Any one here clued up on dry cell batteries??

[Juggsy1]

Anyone??

[PaulKemp]

First off you'll have a dynamo not an alternator so the charging when driving will take longer and need higher revs ( alternators can charge from idle)
You'll need a charger with a 6/12v switch
Older VW Beetle's used 6 volt
Google is your friend
If all fails you could get a second battery, put it in series and use a 12V charger

[Mr2Mike]

Juggsy1 said:

Without making it too overly complex, I have a six volt dry cell battery I'm going to fit into a 1952 James motorbike.

Is it really a dry battery? Most non-spillable motorcycle batteries are either AGM Lead Acid (Absorbent Glass Matt) or Gel Lead Acid, neither of which are classed as dry cells. Assuming it's one of these style batteries then a standard 6v motorcycle maintenance charger is probably your best bet; these can be left connected indefinitely to float charge the battery, and the better ones can also charge small capacity batteries from flat in a pretty reasonable amount of time. CTEK is one of the better made brands, but Maplin are selling off this Ring brand 6v/12v charger for £7.99. This is the same charger that Halfords sell with their own label on it.


The only genuine dry cell chemistry used for bikes that I know of is Lithium-Iron Phosphate, and whilst these can be charged with regular lead acid chargers, there are dedicated chargers available for these batteries which do a better job.

[Juggsy1]

Mr2Mike said:

Is it really a dry battery? Most non-spillable motorcycle batteries are either AGM Lead Acid (Absorbent Glass Matt) or Gel Lead Acid, neither of which are classed as dry cells. Assuming it's one of these style batteries then a standard 6v motorcycle maintenance charger is probably your best bet; these can be left connected indefinitely to float charge the battery, and the better ones can also charge small capacity batteries from flat in a pretty reasonable amount of time. CTEK is one of the better made brands, but Maplin are selling off this Ring brand 6v/12v charger for £7.99. This is the same charger that Halfords sell with their own label on it.


The only genuine dry cell chemistry used for bikes that I know of is Lithium-Iron Phosphate, and whilst these can be charged with regular lead acid chargers, there are dedicated chargers available for these batteries which do a better job.

Fair point I think. If I could remember who I got it from would be handy. You know what's it like when you are well into a project and using various suppliers for bits. Tried google but full of conflicting advice.

[Oldred_V8S]

I have a dry cell battery on a 57 Matchless G3LS. It was made by cyclon and works great. Don't use a normal battery charger on it, they don't like it. Just keep it charged up on the bike, (they don't like being flat apparently). I fitted an isolator switch to the battery for when the bike is laid up during the winter and never had a problem with it.

[Mr2Mike]

Oldred_V8S said:

I have a dry cell battery on a 57 Matchless G3LS. It was made by cyclon and works great.

Cyclon batteries are sealed lead-acid as far as I know, not dry cells. I used to use individual Cyclon cells many years ago for starting model glow engines.

You should be able to use a maintenance charger on these with no problems, it's the old fashioned "dumb" car battery chargers that cook them.