Battery Problem or Something More?

[Skorpion]

Guys

I'm a techno luddite so need some guidance from the clever amongst you.

I have an '05 plate 1200 and replaced the battery last May with one exactly the same as was fitted. Due to other commitments the bike was not ridden between August last year and March of this year. Throughout that time the bike has been garaged and I have used an Optimate 4 to keep the battery charged swapping it about weekly with my other bike. (other bike starts no problem)

The problem I have is that the bike starts if it has been on the Optimate, but if left any longer than a day, there is no power in the battery and the bike won't turn over. I even took the bike on a long run (+40miles) and when I got back and immediately tried to start it - drained battery.

I can get two to three starts from the battery after it has been on the Optimate then it just dies. I've had a multimeter over the terminals and I'm getting 12.5V when charged, less than 9V when turning it over and 14.45V when I do get the bike running.

I have an Autocom/radio/SatNav set up but this is wired through a switched connection (rear light) and has been trouble free for +4ys so I don't think this is causing me the problem.

So I'd welcome your pearls of wisdom - is it a new battery (Oddessy this time) or is it something more sinister?

Help

S.

 

[IanC]

Sounds like battery to me, but I'd try disconnecting the accessories first if its not too complicated.

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[IanC]

Actually on second thoughts, sounds more like it's not charging, which would explain why it starts after an Optimate charge, but not after riding (when various things would be draining the battery).

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[cookie]

14.45v when it's running means it's charging.

sounds like the battery to me. could be a drain on the battery when stopped though.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Sounds like the battery to me.

 

[IanC]

14.45v when it's running means it's charging.

Missed that, sorry! Still, puzzling why it won't start immediately after a good blast though?

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[Skorpion]

Thanks for your help guys - here's a quick update.

Disconnected everything, charged the battery and started the bike . Took it for another run, got home and tried to start it again - nothing. Starter solenoid kicking in but the motor not turning over! Charged it again with the Optimate, checked voltage - 12.3V, pushed the started and this time the starter motor would not turn (just get the noise of the solenoid clicking in). As its trying to crank over, the voltage dropped to around 10.5V.

Conclusion - battery back in the box and sending it back to the supplier who have said that they will check the battery and if its faulty they will pop another one in the post.

Fingers crossed.....

S.

 

[ianm00]

I would guess the battery. When my battery died the BMW assist man turned up, he could start the bike with his power pack connected but as soon as he disconnected his power pack bike died completely. He told me never seen a battery that dead before and thought it was something else however after replacing the battery all was ok again.

Ian