Dead battery after less than a year!

[m9fnd]

Hi all,

Just a quick question out of interest really!

I bought a new battery less than a year ago. Over the winter it discharged when I didn't ride for a few (or six) weeks, which was my fault but the previous battery could stand up to such treatment. I got it going, but it was always a bit temporamental since. Admittedly the bike hasn't exactly been riden much in the meantime, but I've had it hooked up to an Optimate for the last week or so, and its still dead as a doornail.

So my question is: Are motorcycle batteries really this fragile, or have I just had bad luck with this one? Its a NUMAX, which I now realise might be the cheap and cheerful option.

Need to be a bit more careful in future I guess!

N

 

[Greg Masters]

Over the winter it discharged when I didn't ride for a few (or six) weeks, which was my fault but the previous battery could stand up to such treatment.

The use of antimony and cold weather slows the process of shagging a lead-acid battery due to prolonged discharge, but all batteries will go this way sooner or later if left at anything less than 100% charged.

When you park up, connect your Optimate and don't touch it again until you're ready to take your next ride.

 

[stevemersey]

So my question is: Are motorcycle batteries really this fragile,

In my experience, age has nothing to do with it. Leave it discharged for a while and it will be time for a new one.

 

[Smythson]

I think it's the deep discharge that does them in. Check out Joel Wiseman's battery thread on ADVRider.

With regard to expense - not necessarily... Stephen.Stallbrass of this parish posted a link with some good testing. I can't find it now but in the end it recommended Motobatt which you can pick up for about £40...

S

 

[v8legend]

Modern batteries just don't like going flat. It could be that several weeks on the Optimate might get it back, but I doubt it.

Best you bend over and get a new one.

Then keep it charged! The longest I'll risk is 2 weeks in the summer (then back on the BMW charger). Mines an 08 on its original battery.

Having said all that. Don't leave a smart charger connected for more than 4 weeks without turning off and on.

 

[GS Biker]

With regard to the Motobatt units, I have been running one for a few months now without incident. I was away for three weeks during this time and when back, fired the 800 up without problems. Fired into life within a couple seconds of turning the key.

 

[m9fnd]

Thanks for the advice! A new battery seems to have solved all problems.
Had some good advice from the dealer who sold it to me regarding preparation, which I hadn't done to the previous one, so hopefully this'll last longer!

 

[Greg Masters]

Had some good advice from the dealer ..

Which was .....

 

[m9fnd]

Which was:
* once the acid is in, leave it to settle until it is cool
* gently put the cell cap in place, though dont push it on fully
* Stick it on charge overnight
* THEN put the caps in place and install on bike

The instructions in the previous battery just said put the acid in and it's ready to go on the bike!

Might be basic stuff to most, but if no one's previously told you, you wont know!

 

[Greg Masters]

Which was:
* once the acid is in, leave it to settle until it is cool
* gently put the cell cap in place, though dont push it on fully
* Stick it on charge overnight
* THEN put the caps in place and install on bike

The instructions in the previous battery just said put the acid in and it's ready to go on the bike!

Might be basic stuff to most, but if no one's previously told you, you wont know!

It's good advice.

Add to it to gentle tap the battery after you've added the acid (to ensure that all bubbles are released); that the first charge should be at a trickle rate (Optimate is ideal).

 

[theoneandonly]

Which was:
* once the acid is in, leave it to settle until it is cool .....leave it for 24 hours to soak in

* gently put the cell cap in place, though dont push it on fully

put it on charger ( mine was £500 , it has setting for sealed/mf batteries .

* Stick it on charge overnight...hmmmm no.

* THEN put the caps in place ( hold battery in your hand whilst doing his ) and install on bike

then check charging system on bike

people ask me for a battery now ...i say ....come back tomorrow . it will be ready then .

battery on my bike has just been changed , it was 10yrs old