New battery/charging questions

[BigTex]

recommendations please:

I have an old battery, that I am replacing on my 2003 Std. (Its old and I want to replace it)

I will more than likely purchase from my local Honda dealer for convenience.
I prefer the OEM battery if available.

I have read many posts on here about batteries and chargers, but here are my questions.

I ordered a CTEK 3300 charger, it will be here in a few days. (got mostly good reviews in the posts)

Ok when I purchase my battery at the local dealer, should I tell them don't charge it up? and charge it myself with the CTEK 3300?

Or will it already be charged from the factory?

I have heard the first charge is important, and don't want to miss anything.

thank you,

BigTex

[sandy]

I'm one of the CTEK fans. If your dealer charges it, it'll probably be right, but ask how they bring it up. If you don't like the answer, tell them you'll do it. I've brought up a couple of new batteries with no problems.

[Jersey mike]

I always charge my new batteries before installing them and get one w/ the newest shipping date stamped on it.

for bikes I use a 6amp for an hour then finish it off w/ a 1.5 automatic trickle charger.

for cars/trucks I use a 10amp automatic shut off, then be sure to "top it off" again w/ the 1.5 amp trickle charge.

[BigTex]

Thanks for the input.

any other thoughts or comments?

BigTex

[old2soon]

When I replaced my alt and battery I went with the Yuasa that I installed the acid into. I let that sit for about 2 hrs with the acid resivoir caps off. Put it on my little old Montgomery Ward trickle charger overnight. Even after sitting for a month and a half with no charger on it she fires right up. In the high teens for ambient temperature full choke 2 or 3 turns and she is running. Hope this helps you out some. RIDE SAFE.

[Jersey mike]

Another thought I left out was to get a gallon of distilled water, never add any type of city water or well water to a battery.....(or even your radiator). I never heard of distilled water going bad so it should have a good shelf life for important uses.

[john]

                 go with Yuasa    ... shop on line for a deal on the new battery ...
  it will appear on your door step ... 
            trickle charge over nite ... good to go ... easy
   "little piece of aquarium air line under the battery cage nut trick"
   
        replaced my battery after eleven years just because ...
         

[donaldcc]

  I like Yuasa also.  You load the acid in battery and charge it and you know it is good and hasn't sat on shelf for 6 months.

  I read of people here with battery life of 10 years.  That jus does NOT happen in the desert where high summer heat shortens battery life.

[BigTex]

Ok,  got me a Yuasa battery ordered from atbatt.com  74.99

atbatt.com has some good information and instructions on charging your battery and keeping it up.

There is even a video showing the steps to properly charge a new battery.

Kind of cool, I will share it.

http://www.atbatt.com/motorcycle-batteries/how-to-fill-and-charge-yuasa-ytx14-bs-motorcycle-battery

Thanks again,

BigTex