BX23S Battery Charging

[Scubaduba89]

I'm trying to figure out what setting to put my charger to for my 2021 BX23S.

The charger itself has three settings marked STD, AGM and GEL.
My dilemma is if the battery itself is STD or AGM.

A quick google search for "SMF 26R-560" tells me the SMF is a type of AGM battery. Another search for the part number itself: K7591-61113 brings up batteries that appear to be standard. I cannot find a direct replacement for the battery to get a description of it.

I've included a picture of the battery itself. Any help on this is greatly appreciated.

 

[RCW]

While much older, my BX has a standard lead acid battery.

Looked up the part number, and see a different number K2563-96610.

Is a 26R battery, which is same size as mine. I did look into AGM batteries when I replaced mine a while back but went with a standard battery again.

Just speculating yours is also a standard battery. I could be wrong. Should be some specification on other parts of the label.

Not to insult your expertise, but when you say a "charger" be cautious about over-charging your battery.

I typically use a battery "maintainer" which shuts down when battery is fully charged. Often of lower amperage output and I leave the maintainer on for extended periods of time in the winter.

Can easily dry a battery out if over-charged. Even a "trickle" charger can do that.

 

[85Hokie]

I am with RCW 100% - you do NOT want a charger ......... you want a maintainer, old timers called them trickle chargers. Today that are computer controlled - the "charger" sends a signal to the battery to see how well it took that bit of charge and then does that on and off until it is FULLY charged - BUT never OVERCHARGED.

FOR the battery you have stock in your BX - std would be the correct choice.

The SMF stands for Sealed Maintenance-Free


This one does a fantastic job for the cost - I have 8 of these, different versions but they stall plugged in when the tractor, boat, jet skis are not in use!

My battery on my BX is 12 years old and still starts it at 100%

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W46BX31?crid=3DPNI0VK3OXN4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.esANIUStGmPiUyvXeDjdacc4C8xN9VGgVI9AruU8Q6zlg45kXRetvmdEfMugkE3_nim4WcDrMDdX5egDNO6TPplEw0XDpLWSei-edLIhJj2kSIZ0LD5OwzCVFVjHOjg3b0BwmxyBpQ_rDQGBFN2y_9LN1vGQauMsPqRCdHdmaYQuOKPV6mc1JkUzOeTkSTZIs4y6lF8AecSG8RzN1zAVEmeX0tg2-TKy0lrdgyzH3J7EhgSeJ8wWk4-ywEcNyJ5V3FclAgTtNSBGj44t7UH6ikdN3zh5lXR9Mh85Y5wE8zdPxO70U7Ock64H1pShYOIThjMdmB2ufiHLJo9oCdgfmgVtLIpf-zwAAMbPpRwk9yv4HJyxXvdbN0oyZYpWYwCz2rzA5dDqkIbDwlPHyNbWUQiaqbMgn0qNmWg_I20LNz3KSKMvcIHofRzYvdGUDX5n.BL00Lq11aYpXagSfautlDxgWnnSEWQElDAFYg1zFvP8&dib_tag=se&keywords=noco+genius+charger&qid=1740255877&sprefix=genious+char,aps,133&sr=8-8

 

[RCW]

I am with RCW 100% - you do NOT want a charger ......... you want a maintainer, old timers called them trickle chargers. Today that are computer controlled - the "charger" sends a signal to the battery to see how well it took that bit of charge and then does that on and off until it is FULLY charged - BUT never OVERCHARGED.

FOR the battery you have stock in your BX - std would be the correct choice.

The SMF stands for Sealed Maintenance-Free


This one does a fantastic job for the cost - I have 8 of these, different versions but they stall plugged in when the tractor, boat, jet skis are not in use!

My battery on my BX is 12 years old and still starts it at 100%

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W46BX31?crid=3DPNI0VK3OXN4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.esANIUStGmPiUyvXeDjdacc4C8xN9VGgVI9AruU8Q6zlg45kXRetvmdEfMugkE3_nim4WcDrMDdX5egDNO6TPplEw0XDpLWSei-edLIhJj2kSIZ0LD5OwzCVFVjHOjg3b0BwmxyBpQ_rDQGBFN2y_9LN1vGQauMsPqRCdHdmaYQuOKPV6mc1JkUzOeTkSTZIs4y6lF8AecSG8RzN1zAVEmeX0tg2-TKy0lrdgyzH3J7EhgSeJ8wWk4-ywEcNyJ5V3FclAgTtNSBGj44t7UH6ikdN3zh5lXR9Mh85Y5wE8zdPxO70U7Ock64H1pShYOIThjMdmB2ufiHLJo9oCdgfmgVtLIpf-zwAAMbPpRwk9yv4HJyxXvdbN0oyZYpWYwCz2rzA5dDqkIbDwlPHyNbWUQiaqbMgn0qNmWg_I20LNz3KSKMvcIHofRzYvdGUDX5n.BL00Lq11aYpXagSfautlDxgWnnSEWQElDAFYg1zFvP8&dib_tag=se&keywords=noco+genius+charger&qid=1740255877&sprefix=genious+char,aps,133&sr=8-8

I changed my BX battery not due to performance, but was 8-9 years old. Didn't want a surprise with 2 feet of snow on the ground and I needed it for snow removal.

I've heard good things about the NOCO maintainers @85Hokie linked.

I got 11 years out of an OEM battery in my Harley Davidson motorcycle. Was on a Battery Tender for much of those years in Upstate New York. Motorcycle batteries are often a 3-4 year item in cold weather. Never took it out.

 

[Scubaduba89]

While much older, my BX has a standard lead acid battery.

Looked up the part number, and see a different number K2563-96610.

Is a 26R battery, which is same size as mine. I did look into AGM batteries when I replaced mine a while back but went with a standard battery again.

Just speculating yours is also a standard battery. I could be wrong. Should be some specification on other parts of the label.

View attachment 149039

Not to insult your expertise, but when you say a "charger" be cautious about over-charging your battery.

I typically use a battery "maintainer" which shuts down when battery is fully charged. Often of lower amperage output and I leave the maintainer on for extended periods of time in the winter.

Can easily dry a battery out if over-charged. Even a "trickle" charger can do that.

Thank you for the response!

No hurt feelings here. I did mean a maintainer. Just need to keep some juice in it to clear a bit of snow here and there.

I meant to order a user's manual for the tractor and never got around to it.

The battery label itself doesn't have any more info. I pulled the battery to double check if there was a label on the backside.

 

[Scubaduba89]

I am with RCW 100% - you do NOT want a charger ......... you want a maintainer, old timers called them trickle chargers. Today that are computer controlled - the "charger" sends a signal to the battery to see how well it took that bit of charge and then does that on and off until it is FULLY charged - BUT never OVERCHARGED.

FOR the battery you have stock in your BX - std would be the correct choice.

The SMF stands for Sealed Maintenance-Free


This one does a fantastic job for the cost - I have 8 of these, different versions but they stall plugged in when the tractor, boat, jet skis are not in use!

My battery on my BX is 12 years old and still starts it at 100%

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W46BX31?crid=3DPNI0VK3OXN4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.esANIUStGmPiUyvXeDjdacc4C8xN9VGgVI9AruU8Q6zlg45kXRetvmdEfMugkE3_nim4WcDrMDdX5egDNO6TPplEw0XDpLWSei-edLIhJj2kSIZ0LD5OwzCVFVjHOjg3b0BwmxyBpQ_rDQGBFN2y_9LN1vGQauMsPqRCdHdmaYQuOKPV6mc1JkUzOeTkSTZIs4y6lF8AecSG8RzN1zAVEmeX0tg2-TKy0lrdgyzH3J7EhgSeJ8wWk4-ywEcNyJ5V3FclAgTtNSBGj44t7UH6ikdN3zh5lXR9Mh85Y5wE8zdPxO70U7Ock64H1pShYOIThjMdmB2ufiHLJo9oCdgfmgVtLIpf-zwAAMbPpRwk9yv4HJyxXvdbN0oyZYpWYwCz2rzA5dDqkIbDwlPHyNbWUQiaqbMgn0qNmWg_I20LNz3KSKMvcIHofRzYvdGUDX5n.BL00Lq11aYpXagSfautlDxgWnnSEWQElDAFYg1zFvP8&dib_tag=se&keywords=noco+genius+charger&qid=1740255877&sprefix=genious+char,aps,133&sr=8-8

I appreciate the response!

That was a slip on my part. I will be using a maintainer.

I was starting to believe it was a standard, but everything I looked up info on smf I started seeing it was a type of agm. Always good to have a reminder that a quick google search isn't always the answer.

Thanks again for the information and maintainer suggestion

 

[DustyRusty]

Check the back of the seat back. That is where the manuals are stored from the factory. Unless someone took them out and didn't replace them, they should still be there.

 

[John T]

I'm trying to figure out what setting to put my charger to for my 2021 BX23S.


I've included a picture of the battery itself. Any help on this is greatly appreciated.

Thats a WET battery ... (lead acid)
Same one I have in my 2017 BX

And as mentioned above .... It's sealed... so called maintenance free.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Set your charger to 'STD'.
FWIW a 'maintainer is NOT same as 'trickle charger'.
A 'trickle charger' will constantly supply a low current to the battery, usually 1-2 amps. if left on it will 'boil away' al the electrolyte.
A 'maintainer' usually has a computer to trickle charge the battery and then shut off. Every once in awhile it'll wake up do a crummy test of the battery and trickle some more.
An SCR based battery charger will supply lots of current to recharge a battery and automatically shut off when 'full', tests battery 60 or 120 times a second to maintain fully charge status.
Ancient battery chargers were just selenium diodes and a transformer, could 'boil a battery'

Funny thing is while some upgrade the battery from 'lead acid'in their rides ,they never ever change the alternator............

 

[John T]

Funny thing is while some upgrade the battery from 'lead acid'in their rides ,they never ever change the alternator............

Admittedly, The following statements have no factual evidence behind it ....
just my $0.02
I call BS on the need for a 'special' alternator for a AGM battery.

In motorcycles, I've run everything from a stock lead acid battery to a GEL to an AGM and Lithium batteries and never have a problem charging... undercharging OR overcharging.

Now concerning Lithium batteries, According to Shorai lithium battery company, They recommend a Lithium battery charger IF you need to charge it for any reason.
I do own one but have only charged a lithium battery ... maybe twice and I've owned a lot of them.
If there is NO parasitic draw, they will sit all winter in sub zero temps and in the spring they are 13+ volts.

But all that said, Every time you ride the bike, A standard alternator is giving it current.....

I've got one in a Kawasaki right now... I haven't started in 2 years. If I push the start button it will spin over and fire right up.

But anyway, concerning AGM/Gel batteries... I don't know anyone who has ever changed their alternator after a battery swap.

I don't think it makes a lick of difference.... in the long run.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Your bottom line is why I posted my bottom line.
Many get 'hung up' on having to have the 'latest and greatest', yet in the end it doesn't matter,as long as you've got a quality battery and GREAT battery cables.
Agree Lithium are a special case, as each cell needs to be 'looked at' not the 'whole battery'.

 

[John T]

Your bottom line is why I posted my bottom line.
Many get 'hung up' on having to have the 'latest and greatest', yet in the end it doesn't matter,as long as you've got a quality battery and GREAT battery cables.
Agree Lithium are a special case, as each cell needs to be 'looked at' not the 'whole battery'.

agree. ^^^

speaking of Lithium ion batt, I've lost 2 of them over the years.

First one Bulged for no reason after about 2 years.

The second one was my fault... kinda.
I stupidly left the small light on in my top case (motorcycle)
got out of work and had a dead battery.
put a battery pack booster on it and started the bike.

next day it was stone dead again.... followed all the specific directions for decharging/charging/balancing the cells yada yada....
Tried it multiple times....

finally had to toss it.

Honestly, The only reason my kawasaki still has one is because of space constraints...
it's a custom thing.... lithium battery was the perfect size... and lightweight.

But I would never buy one again for any other application.

The cost is not worth the hype... In my opinion.