Africa Twin whistling battery

[Paul G (BHT)]

A mate of mine has just called me, his Africa Twin is making a real loud whistling noise.

With the engine off the noise is still there so I got him to disconnect the battery..... the noise is still there.

After scratching my head wondering how this could still be squealing away I asked him "it's not the battery making the noise is it". So, he set about removing the battery.

Eventually got the battery out which he said was hot.... yup it's the battery squealing its head off. I told him to leave it somewhere far away from anything flammable.

Question is WTF is there on a battery that can whistle, and more to the point what started it off whistling?

 

[autogs]

Build up of gases! Check reg/rectifier possibly?

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

 

[leadfarmer]

I’ve seen one explode but never whistle, I guess it’s got a safety valve and it’s cooking hence the gas

 

[solidstate100]

is it a Lithium or AGM? if Lithium I would stay well away from it - big fire risk . Either way its sealed and sounds like it is venting a build up of gas, not a good sign. May be being overcharged, or poss an internal short

 

[Pukmeister]

It’s squealing in pain thanks to all those little electrons being squeezed into its tiny casing.

 

[Bucephalus]

I’ve seen one explode but never whistle, I guess it’s got a safety valve and it’s cooking hence the gas

Lead Acid batteries had the clear vent pipe to the road for internal pressure (gas) build up.. AGM batteries have an emergency pressure valve that whistles to inform you it’s blown.

Occasionally the battery internal matrix fault, but usually overcharging from the bikes electrical system.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Thanks folks.

It's a sealed AGM battery so it looks like it could be over charging and having a tantrum as a result.

Sounds like he might be getting an expensive bill from Mr H.

 

[LOLGEOFF]

Saves buying a Denali or a Deer Whistle.

 

[zoltan]

I’ve seen one explode but never whistle, I guess it’s got a safety valve and it’s cooking hence the gas

Mine exploded once, the battery was under the rear seat, was a bit loud. The only noise was a loud bang. Old shape MINI.

 

[Bubb]

Reg/rec gone, leading to overcharging of battery….. good job he caught it in time before it went “BANG!”

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Build up of gases! Check reg/rectifier possibly?

Reg/rec gone, leading to overcharging of battery….. good job he caught it in time before it went “BANG!”

He picked up a new battery today and hopefully the regulator/rectifier will be arriving tomorrow.

Will post an update once it's sorted.

 

[SBD]

Paul,

Please change the thread title so anyone in future who has a whistling bike will understand it’s the battery soonest!

 

[wessie]

AGM is a type of valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) battery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery - the noise would be the safety valve being overworked

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Paul,

Please change the thread title so anyone in future who has a whistling bike will understand it’s the battery soonest!

Sorted

AGM is a type of valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) battery https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery - the noise would be the safety valve being overworked

It certainly was being overworked, it was whistling for the best part of an hour.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

He picked up a new battery today and hopefully the regulator/rectifier will be arriving tomorrow.

Will post an update once it's sorted.

The voltage regulator on the 2017 Africa Twin is bolted to the rear mudguard, the bolts screw into two captive nuts in the plastic mudguard.

Mate tells me both bolts were seized in the nuts, the first bolt ended up spinning the now un-captive nut and the second bolt snapped.

To get to the captive nuts means removing the rear mudguard, to remove the rear mudguard means removing shed loads of mechanical components.

He gave up yesterday and has dragged his R9T out and headed off to the Adventure Overland show this morning.

 

[wessie]

just like Hondas of all generations, now is the time to modify the harness and place the new regulator in a better position. On the CBR600 the common mod was to relocate the regulator to the front of the bike where it kept dry but had enough airflow to cool it.