Dead OEM battery and now dead Odyssey

[Blackal]

You may also wish to read the thread "Oddessys ... they dont like cold weather" .

Ha,ha,ha.......................

Al

 

[Demongroover]

I have both OE and Oddyssey batteries, both are giving poor service on the BMW. Last night I refitted the Oddyssey battery, which was reading 12.68v.
I started the bike ok, went on a short errand to Tescos. When I came out the bike wouldn't start, I needed a jump start.
When I got home the battery read 13.1v.
Charging on the bike is 14.5v, normal.
I use Optimate chargers, is it possible for the Optimate to charge the battery and say it's ok, AND it read ok on a voltmeter but still be dodgey?

 

[DrFarkoff]

I use Optimate chargers, is it possible for the Optimate to charge the battery and say it's ok, AND it read ok on a voltmeter but still be dodgey?

Yes

The only sure test is a proper load tester

 

[Demongroover]

Yes

The only sure test is a proper load tester

Hmm, I thought that's what the Optimate chargers were supposed to do.

 

[Snoopy]

There was a wee problem that was a service check (rather than a recall) on 04 and 05 1200's that was to see if the hazard button "light" was still on after 5 mins then it needed a wee software upgrade

These bikes would flatten thier battery after about 2 weeks

If you get a multimeter with a 10 amp max current setting you should be able to bridge the negative to the battery connection and see what draw is happening after a) 5 secs, b) 15secs, c) 30secs d) 1 minute and after 30 mins and if it's constantly over 0.5 amp you have a problem

NB do not try to start the bike with this bridge in !!! You may turn on the ignition but DON'T press the starter button! You will probably fry your multimeter if you do and upset the "canbus fluid viscosity levels"!

You should be careful with your wording, some might bridge the + and - in current mode, aka short the battery.

 

[tommygun]

I have both OE and Oddyssey batteries, both are giving poor service on the BMW. Last night I refitted the Oddyssey battery, which was reading 12.68v.
I started the bike ok, went on a short errand to Tescos. When I came out the bike wouldn't start, I needed a jump start.
When I got home the battery read 13.1v.
Charging on the bike is 14.5v, normal.
I use Optimate chargers, is it possible for the Optimate to charge the battery and say it's ok, AND it read ok on a voltmeter but still be dodgey?

So you feel my pain then ey

I'll check the current draw again but something tells me I have a date with the wiring diagram.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Hmm, I thought that's what the Optimate chargers were supposed to do.

Nope it's just a current ratio thingy calculation

A load tester has a big coil that heats up and really loads the battery and once the test is finished if the battery returns to app 13 v then it is usually okay

a Duff battery will usually not recover up to 12 and you can sometimes hear bubbling as one o fteh cells gases up

 

[Slowdown]

You should be careful with your wording, I might bridge the + and - in current mode, aka short the battery.

There. That's better.

 

[Demongroover]

The saga continues...

My OE battery kept letting me down, so I bought an Oddyssey.
Recently that let me down several times, the bike wouldn't start, I just got a click from the solenoid.
I performed various checks as I was sure it wasn't the battery, it's new, it's the beefy Oddyssey everyone says is great, so I thought it could be the starter or a an electrical drain on the bike etc.
Well I've just spent a couple of hours in the garage with the GS and both batteries, both charged with an optimate and both showing 12.68v on the voltmeter.
The OE would start the bike but the Oddyssey wouldn't. I just get a click of the solenoid and the starter doesn't spin up.
So, still convinced it's the starter my mate came round on his 1200 GS and we systematically switched the starter, the starter relay and the batteries over until, by process of elimination we proved that despite showing over 12v on the meter the Oddyssey will not spin the bike up, whereas the OE his and mine will, with either starter or relay.

So, how can a bettery show it's fully charged but not perform as required?

I feel an email to Nippy coming on...

 

[John Armstrong]

Volts does not equal capacity, unless it's zero.

The under load voltage is the true test, and the easiest way to test is to try and start the engine. Does sound like a duff Odyssey

 

[cookie]

So, how can a bettery show it's fully charged but not perform as required?

it can't, and you're not testing it properly.

measuring the voltage gives very little indication of the charge. all it tells you is that it isn't completely flat.

 

[Demongroover]

it can't, and you're not testing it properly.

measuring the voltage gives very little indication of the charge. all it tells you is that it isn't completely flat.

So, is it possible top rejuvenate?
Will I need a different charger to the Optimate?





On the plus side, I had a good run out to Llangollen and back today, 200 miles.
Gave the heated grips a thorough testing!

 

[Slowdown]

So, is it possible to rejuvenate?

I felt lucky with Google

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-35.htm

 

[Sukram]

No chance, my battery is dead- I have try a lot but to late
BMW quality after 2 year and 34.000km

today i have order a new "Odyssey PC535" www.motomoto.nl
nippy normans do not send to Belgium battery

 

[tommygun]

The saga continues...

My OE battery kept letting me down, so I bought an Oddyssey.
Recently that let me down several times, the bike wouldn't start, I just got a click from the solenoid.
I performed various checks as I was sure it wasn't the battery, it's new, it's the beefy Oddyssey everyone says is great, so I thought it could be the starter or a an electrical drain on the bike etc.
Well I've just spent a couple of hours in the garage with the GS and both batteries, both charged with an optimate and both showing 12.68v on the voltmeter.
The OE would start the bike but the Oddyssey wouldn't. I just get a click of the solenoid and the starter doesn't spin up.
So, still convinced it's the starter my mate came round on his 1200 GS and we systematically switched the starter, the starter relay and the batteries over until, by process of elimination we proved that despite showing over 12v on the meter the Oddyssey will not spin the bike up, whereas the OE his and mine will, with either starter or relay.

So, how can a bettery show it's fully charged but not perform as required?

I feel an email to Nippy coming on...

Demon - keep me posted on your progress. Sounds like we've both got similar problems. I'm putting both batteries back on charge but unfortunately won't have a chance till weekend after next to fiddle. Good Luck

 

[Demongroover]

I have emailed Nippy, who is contacting Oddyssey.
Fingers crossed.

 

[gncpr67]

Odyssey Battery

I had similar problem with my OE Battery august 09 (2006 gsa) and replaced this with a P535 Odyssey battery from motor works, after reading the great reviews on the net! The odyssey failed by November 09 lost its charge even though on trickle charge, After 3 days off bike charging still no umph I sent back it to motor work under warranty and discovered the battery was indead a rare faulty one!! replacement sent within 48 hours pretty good service on motor works behalf! but slightly miffed at odysseys product! lost a bit of confidence with it really even though it kicks the bike over well now there's always that nagging thought is it going to fail again?? watch this space

 

[Demongroover]

Just had an email from Nippy, great service as always.




Simon
This is what they say:

" That battery is in a low state of charge, the internal resistance is too high for the Optimate to overcome, in fact the internal resistance is giving the same high reading of a fully charged battery.

I suggest he tries charging the battery with a 6-8 Amp output charger for a few hours and see how it goes.

Failing that he can send it back to me in the post and I will be more than happy to test it for him, if I do find any manufacturing faults I will replace the battery F.O.C. and refund his postage."

Please give it a go or we will exchange the battery.
We will resolve the problem.
Regards
Norman




So, now I need to find an appropriate charger to try and recover the battery.
Any suggestions guys?

 

[gncpr67]

Hi simon

The symptoms are reminisent of what happened to my battery! voltmeter showing 12.8 something of residule charge but battery unable to turn engine over! optimax chargers please dont quote me! are not on odyssey's recomended list of chargers and yes I was charging my first one with an optimax and in my case I invested in a new charger ctex 3600 about 40-50 quid, unfortunately the ctex did not recover the orignal battery either, touch wood my replacement has not played up since, that said im not saying there is anything wrong with the optimax so in the end 140-150 pound investment to replace a battery + charger ouch!

 

[John Armstrong]

So, now I need to find an appropriate charger to try and recover the battery.
Any suggestions guys?

A car one? Just be very careful on how long you leave it connected But the question is, why does it have the problem and will cooking it with loads of amps permanently cure the problem? If not, send it back.