ZX14 Blog
Why is the following article important for us ZX14 Owners? Because some of us, ride with full beams activated during the day as well. All I want you to take notice of, is don't think when you parked at home the battery charge state is at its best because of your day trip and full beams on.
Driving your ZX14 on full beams for an extended period of time can put a strain on the battery, as the increased power draw can cause the battery to discharge more quickly than usual. This can be especially true if you are driving at night, where you may need to keep the headlights on for an extended period.
When you arrive home and park your ZX14, the battery's state at that moment will depend on a few factors, including the length of time you have been riding with the full beams on, the age and condition of the battery, and how well the charging system is working. If the battery is already in a low state of charge, driving with the full beams on could cause the battery to fully discharge, leaving it in a state where it may not have enough power to start the motorcycle again.
To avoid this situation, it is recommended to limit your use of full beams to when it is necessary and to avoid using them unnecessarily for extended periods. Additionally, if you plan on using your ZX14 for night-time riding or other situations where you may need to use the full beams for an extended period, it is recommended to ensure that the battery is fully charged before setting off and to consider using a trickle charger to help maintain the battery's charge when not in use. This will help ensure that the battery is always ready when you need it and will help prolong its lifespan.
From my own experience, I have noticed that riding with full beams on for an extended period of time can drain the battery quickly. When I parked my ZX14 at home and connected it to the trickle charger, I noticed that the charger took more than 30 minutes to get the battery back into the charged state. This indicated that although it was a long ride, the battery actually did not charge properly. Therefore, once parked at home, consider trickle charging immediately to avoid such a situation.
The power demand of full-beam headlights is much higher than that of dipped headlights. Full beam headlamps typically consume around twice as much electricity as dipped headlamps due to the additional reflector element, extra filament, or chip-based emitters in each lamp unit. The exact difference varies based on different models, but some bikes may see up to a fivefold increase in a current draw under full beam operation. Although manufacturers design efficient systems by utilizing complex circuitry and battery pack configurations to minimize energy losses, excessive usage could still result in prematurely depleted batteries over time.
In conclusion, riding with full beams on for an extended period of time can put a strain on the battery of your ZX14. It is recommended to limit the use of full beams to when it is necessary, to ensure that the battery is fully charged before setting off, and to consider using a trickle charger to help maintain the battery's charge when not in use. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your battery is always ready when you need it and prolong its lifespan.
