Battery woes

[Ned Flanders]

Am I simply being “anal”, or has the bike really got a problem with the battery holding its charge or being charged properly.

9th Dec Mr B*W kindly fits a new battery, old uns showing 12.16v after sitting in the garage for 6 days.

So 1 week and 250 miles later my DVM shows 12.30v. The last run was 20 miles, 24 hrs ago. This seems a very low voltage to me based on 12.7v = 100% charge, 12.50v = 50% charge………12v discharged. Just measured my other bike and she’s showing 12.35v after sitting there unused for 2 weeks.

Is it a case of
1. B*W characteristic, “they all do that sir”
2. The hypothesis, voltage vs. % charge is flawed
3. Battery charging problem
4. A constant low current drain
5. ????????????
6. Just keep riding the bl**dy thing and stop worrying!

Time for an experiment me thinks. So I’ve just plugged the charger in again to fully charge the battery and then measure the voltage drop-off rate with time (no use of the bike).

So guys, any comments, advice, similar experiences etc etc, as this is really bugging me now.

Oh, the bike, it's a Sept 02 with heated grips, ABS and it doesn’t have an alarm.

As always, my thanks in advance.

Regards

Tim

 

[Rob Farmer]

I finally replaced my battery this summer after eight years sterling service, it would still start the bike without any problems but the ABS wouldn't always engage, Just get yourself an Optimate and stop worrying.

Don't forget that the RID is permanently connected across the battery, it doesn't draw much current but it will pull down the terminal voltage slightly.

 

[Frank Warner]

You got 3 possible faults

1) not charging - is the battery voltage above 13 volts after a 10 minute ride (engine above say 2000 rpm)? If yes then you have charging of the battery.

2) bike discharging battery when stooped overnight. Measure discharge current ... should be less than say 20mA. If more then the bike is discharging the battery too fast .. find what component on the bike is discharging the battery.

3) the remaining component is the battery ... provided tests 1 and 2 are ok then replace.

You don't have to wait to do test 2.. and test 1 is riding the bike.. off you go.

 

[Ned Flanders]

Why I'm concerned

Just get yourself an Optimate and stop worrying.

Rob

In the New Year I may have to leave the bike at work for 10-15 days in a "secure" building but unable to leave my battery charger (CSI Airflow) attached. I don't fancy returning to a bike with a flat battery!!!
If I could always guarantee an electric supply I'd do exactly what you say.

Thanks for your reply.

Regards

Tim

 

[Ned Flanders]

Good ideas

You got 3 possible faults

1) not charging - is the battery voltage above 13 volts after a 10 minute ride (engine above say 2000 rpm)? If yes then you have charging of the battery.

2) bike discharging battery when stooped overnight. Measure discharge current ... should be less than say 20mA. If more then the bike is discharging the battery too fast .. find what component on the bike is discharging the battery.

3) the remaining component is the battery ... provided tests 1 and 2 are ok then replace.

You don't have to wait to do test 2.. and test 1 is riding the bike.. off you go.

Frank

1) Why didn't I think of that
2) 20mA is that what the RID draws or just "general" leakage? Based on measuring voltage Vs time the current draw must be graeter than 20mA (assuming my battery voltage vs charge is correct).
3) The battery was new on 9th Dec 2003.

Oh well, gives me something to do Saturday, after I've fixed the washing machine

Many thanks for your reply.

Regards

Tim

 

[needlongerlegs]

Hawker Odysey

Thats the beastly for worry free starts mate

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3487&highlight=Hawker

Once you've made sure you haven't got a fault

Do you have a Burgular Alarm mate?

Regards

Graham

 

[Ned Flanders]

Re: Hawker Odysey

Thats the beastly for worry free starts mate

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3487&highlight=Hawker

Once you've made sure you haven't got a fault

Do you have a Burgular Alarm mate?

Regards

Graham

Hi Graham

Also seen this one re Hawker Odysey battery:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14011&highlight=hawker

The interesting bit posted by Roger Walton is "Motoworks ..., they said "the battery has far superior cranking power etc and all the reasons above. He also said "that the Hawker Bty did not do so well with heavy drain ie H/grips, spots, heated jackets, extra tail lights and GPS etc and advised that in my case they may not be as good as a std bty"

Guess who's got H/grips, ABS, heated jacket? Decisions, decisions.........Plus they are a tad expensive.

And no alarm fitted so no current drain there.


Regards

Tim

 

[needlongerlegs]

Cranking Power

Thats wot you need mate,

Don't worry about "heavy drain" mate with the engine running, if you've got a problem then its down to alternator output, batterys are fa starting the beasty and maybe very low revs. Many people rely on Hawkers in Aircraft and Boats etc. I did a fair amount of reasearch before parting with the hard earned.

G...

for ref http://www.odysseyfactory.com/

 

[(RIP) Mark Dilloway]

I have it on good authority that my '01 1150 which was in a showroom until recently started up no problems after a month or so standing.

 

[Ned Flanders]

Managed 10 days

I have it on good authority that my '01 1150 which was in a showroom until recently started up no problems after a month or so standing.

Mine sat in the garage for ten days unused, then just about managed to turn the engine over.

Hence my question.

Regards

Tim