battery issues

[Rico]

I had a new battery for the 12S last summer, but it's already failing to hold it's charge, haven't checked for a short yet, but do you reckon leaving it for two weeks over Christmas (with the alarm activated) might have killed it. At the moment it won't hold it for a couple of days even.

[Blackal]

L/A batteries, if left to discharge completely/almost completely in sub-zero temperatures - can freeze.

The electrolyte changes as the charge depletes and if it does freeze - the battery is generally fcuked.

If it hasn't frozen (and it would take some severe weather to do this if the bike was in a garage) - you could try it on an optimate and a proper charger, to see if you could recover it.

Al

[eyore]

Sounds iffy all right. My battery replaced last summer with a cheapy lead/acid from the local ride on mower dealer lasts two months or more sitting unused at this time of year.

[Rico]

I don't think it would have frozen over Christmas, it wasn't cold enough. The bike isn't in a garage though, I keep it under a cover (forgive me, but I live in a flat ) . It probably was a cheapy battery as a dealer replaced it for me after I bought the bike because the old one had crapped out. I put it on a proper charger that is supposed to get rid of sulphate crystals etc. but it doesn't seem to have fixed it. Someone told me to run my finger along the edge, if it's at all bumpy apparently the plates have buckled indicating it's f**ked. I'll be a decent battery this time!

[Blackal]

You could have a look at current drain.

Get a loan of a decent multimeter (that allows 10A to pass through it) and connect it (on the correct setting) between the +ve battery post and the +ve cable tail. Do this after installing the battery after an overnight charge.

See how many milli-amps the battery is discharging through the meter - that will tell you if something is seriously draining the battery.

You need a meter with the connections shown below:

(You connect the two probes (bottom right and bottom left of image) in series between battery post and ALL +ve cable tails (clamp them together with a nut/bolt).






Then - you need to track down exactly what is consuming any current.

**** Do not start the engine, or switch on the power while the meter is connected

[Rico]

Thanks, I borrowed one of those from a friend last night, now I know what to do!

[Blackal]

I've edited original post:

You connect between COMM and 10ADC on the meter.

Al

[Rico]

Cheers Al