Ongoing Battery problem

[Biker-Kitty]

I seem to get this problem every 8 months or so, have posted in f650.co.uk, my bike just will not start, have to charge battery up and ok for one start. then have to be jump started. Been through 3 batteries since having bike in 2007. Last reading were battery off bike charged 12.8, back on bike pressing start button 11.3 then once started reading 14.3.

When battery sat for a while off bike over night it lost some charge 0.1v per every couple of hours.

Is my battery dead?

 

[ghiribizzo]

Presumably the bike does not get used regularly.
Presumably the replacement batteries have been 'wet' lead acid types like the original? If it seems like it's sealed, consider that the types of batteries installed originally have acid put in and then the top plate snapped into place.
I'd recommend you get a Motobatt MB12U. £49.50 from lots of places on eBay.
Different type of battery construction. More likely to stand up to periods of inactivity.

 

[Biker-Kitty]

do not ride as much as i used to, getting back to it though, 1st battery to go was the original for when bought bike new. the other 2 have been motobatt ones, looking at getting an odessy one and an optimate charger and a solar trickle charger too for when not using bike.

But is it just due to not using bike enough?

 

[ghiribizzo]

Leaving a battery connected in the bike and also in cold conditions are not good for them. I'm surprised at you going through 2 Motobatts. Buying an Odyssey in place of Motobatt will not cure this.
May be worth getting the charging system checked competently too. A highish voltage when the motor's running is not the only thing needed to know to establish that all is ok.
There could be a fault in the charging system but yes - lack of use is a battery killer. Is there an alarm on the bike? Even if not, the clock's always working away. If you know the bike is not going to be used for a while - undo the negative lead or if it's laid up all winter, take the battery out and keep it indoors. An optimate is a good idea - I use a BMW charger - but neither will keep a battery good forever and can make a poor battery look good. But I've my two bikes' Motobatts sitting under the computer desk just now and a BMW one from a F650GS I'm working on connected to the charger.
Solar trickle charger. I'll pretend you didn't mention that...

 

[Biker-Kitty]

Had yesterday bike checked, Charging system that is. No fault found. Bike has a datatool system 3 alarm. and i only use bike 2 times a week for short journeys. I have had other half saying its because i dont use bike enough.

 

[Dansin]

If the voltage regulator is ok then the next thing I'd do is pull the alarm off.

 

[Biker-Kitty]

Just been looking on the net for datatool s3 draining battery, yes alarm needs to go. Also is there any good alarms or not? Just get a chain etc.

 

[Dansin]

Just been looking on the net for datatool s3 draining battery, yes alarm needs to go. Also is there any good alarms or not? Just get a chain etc.

If the scrotes want to nick it they will. At least a decent chain and lock won't kill your battery.

 

[ghiribizzo]

Yup. Get rid of the alarm.

 

[Biker-Kitty]

If the scrotes want to nick it they will. At least a decent chain and lock won't kill your battery.

Its garaged when at home have a ground anchor in there need a heavy duty chain. Can you recommend a good disc lock?

 

[Biker-Kitty]

Yup. Get rid of the alarm.

Reading more and more about the S3 and seems a really bad alarm. BMW suggested it instead of their own. As dealer said BMW ones are s***.

 

[ghiribizzo]

Well - you've rather answered your problem re. the battery. The alarm needs power to work.
Disc lock? That's not going to stop anything other than a casual thief. A top range U-Lock and/or something like an Almax chain:
http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/

 

[Dansin]

Well - you've rather answered your problem re. the battery. The alarm needs power to work.
Disc lock? That's not going to stop anything other than a casual thief. A top range U-Lock and/or something like an Almax chain:
http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/

+1. A disc lock will only deter the most casual thief. Just buy the best chain or U lock that you can afford. A ground anchor at home is a great idea too.

 

[Biker-Kitty]

+1. A disc lock will only deter the most casual thief. Just buy the best chain or U lock that you can afford. A ground anchor at home is a great idea too.

Well - you've rather answered your problem re. the battery. The alarm needs power to work.
Disc lock? That's not going to stop anything other than a casual thief. A top range U-Lock and/or something like an Almax chain:
http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/

Thank you. Just at start of thread mentioned about alarm. Got me thinking after that.

Thank you will get decent chain and u-lock once alarm is removed, will have to be next month though.

Will update once alarm been removed.