Flat Battery

[Paul P]

Hi

I have a 06 1200 adventure and am on my second battery in as many months. I was wondering if any of guys could help me out?

After adding acid and giving it a slow charge my new battery started off with 13.1 v; however, when I went to the bike a week later it was flat .

Anyway I recharged the battery and tested on the bike for a drain. I found there to be 5 milliamp’s being drawn with the key out, alarm off and steering lock on.

I don't think 5 milliamps is enough to flatten the battery over the course of a week but would be grateful of any thoughts - e.g is this drain considered, excessive, minimal or normal? Have I been unlucky and got two dodgy batteries? Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance

P

 

[JJH]

im not an expert but is the battery up to the job? JJH

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

My thoughts too

 

[Pukmeister]

If you aren't going to ride for a week, recharge the new battery and leave it disconnected for the week.

See if the cells still show the same voltage after a week, then reconnect and try to start the bike as a simple "load test" (cell voltage itself will be inconclusive).

If the bike starts without hesitation, you have your answer regarding standing current drain.

If it struggles, the fault lies with the battery.

Simples......

 

[Mr K]

im not an expert but is the battery up to the job? JJH

I'm thinking most good batteries come fully charged these days: My Motobatt certainly did.
The old adding acid business sounds like a cheaper battery?

 

[fuddy]

I'm thinking most good batteries come fully charged these days: My Motobatt certainly did.
The old adding acid business sounds like a cheaper battery?

I got a Bosch battery from halfords, I put the acid in and its been no trouble.

 

[JJH]

the whole system needs to be checked over and whats going on with the battery. If you have the equipment to check the battery voltage also check the charging circuit also you don't say what type battery you got but even a new battery that not as powerful as it should say 14 amps instead of 20 should still hold up. JJH

 

[Paul P]

Thanks for your replies

The battery I have is a LEOCH LTX 14 BS and, although it wasn't particularly expensive, I was told by the shop that it was 'up to the job' with 200amp cold cranking

As I checked and the bike seems to be charging fine, I think I'll take Pukmeister's advice and recharge then, leave for a week then and, test again.

Thanks again for all the replies

P

 

[JJH]

I don't think that battery is good enough that's 12 amp and I think you need 14. I believe that starting a 1200 twin is harder than starting a 2.4 liter car because of the way it works and when did you last see a car with a 13 to 1 compression ratio. You need a good battery in good condition. JJH

 

[Pukmeister]

My Motobatt is a 12, cranks the bike over every time.

 

[Paul P]

Hi

Correct me if i'm wrong but I always assumed that aHr relates to the capacity of the battery and, for how long it can last. Therefore as my bike seems to be charging well, and I don't have lots of current sucking extras, a 12aHr should be fine.

I always thought that the important thing with batteries was the cold cranking amps - the battery I now have is 200; whlist the BMW one I took off orignally was only 170.

 

[Roymondo]

I don't think that battery is good enough that's 12 amp and I think you need 14. I believe that starting a 1200 twin is harder than starting a 2.4 liter car because of the way it works and when did you last see a car with a 13 to 1 compression ratio. You need a good battery in good condition. JJH

That "12 amp" is 12 Amp-hours, a measure of charge capacity NOT the starting current that the battery can supply. That capability is measured by the "Cold Cranking Amps".

 

[JJH]

I agree but I was on their website and I could not find it. Leaving the power/quality issue aside there should be something in the battery after 1 week with 1 mil amp draw so it either wasn't there in the first place or the battery could not hold it. There battery's and there batterys JJH

 

[Bendy toy]

12AH or 14AH is less than 10% difference. No big deal, but lead acid water batteries can never use all of their charge capacity before the load voltage drops too low. Deep cycle batteries can't deliver the CCA.

If you want serous CCA get a Ballistic. It will cost a fortune and has a much lower AH capacity than a typical lead acid but starter batteries are all about CCA rather than AH. It will also sit for months without damage or loss of charge.

http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html#8