r1200 gsa battery issues

[RickG]

Once you've deep discharged an automotive battery they tend to be fairly shagged and you need a new one. You may coax it back to life, but a bit of cold weather and it'll fail again. Best to replace.

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In the army, at least many years ago, in order to maximise the life of a battery it would be deliberately deep discharged and then recharged once in a while as this was found to increase the overall service life.

One of the principle reasons for battery death is sulphation which reduces the capacity of the battery and shorts out the plates in one or more cells causing to it going flat even if recently charged. This is typical of the failures described by tossers.

 

[John Armstrong]

In the army, at least many years ago, in order to maximise the life of a battery it would be deliberately deep discharged and then recharged once in a while as this was found to increase the overall service life.

Were those ni-cad batteries? Well known for having "memory" issues, which the above, clears the memory.

 

[scotia_steve]

I replaced my OEM battery with an Odessey but I changed back as I wasn't happy with the clearance on the battery and it doesn't work with the seat in low position.

My new BMW battery is much better than my old one (must have been faulty) and as long as it's on the optimate it is fine.

 

[RickG]

Were those ni-cad batteries? Well known for having "memory" issues, which the above, clears the memory.

No, we're talking about lead-acids on trucks, land-rovers and whatnot that were parked up for months on end with (thankfully) nothing to do in the fifties and beyond.

I would hasten to add that I'm not suggesting this should be tried as it may have been that back then the batteries were beefier than automotive ones fitted today and could survive deep discharge without physical damage

 

[Beemerman59]

I had a couple of mobile phones in the 90's that had the facility to discharge the battery. It was recommended to do this once per month. The principle was that it gave the battery a first birthday and a new lease of life

 

[GSmonkey]

In the army, at least many years ago, in order to maximise the life of a battery it would be deliberately deep discharged and then recharged once in a while as this was found to increase the overall service life.

One of the principle reasons for battery death is sulphation which reduces the capacity of the battery and shorts out the plates in one or more cells causing to it going flat even if recently charged. This is typical of the failures described by tossers.

Have a read of this:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question219.htm

 

[Wapping]

I had a couple of mobile phones in the 90's that had the facility to discharge the battery. It was recommended to do this once per month. The principle was that it gave the battery a first birthday and a new lease of life

Ring... Ring....

Hello...

.....Anyone there?

We are now in 2009 (nearly 2010) and talking about motorcycle batteries....

 

[simplysounds]

i think a new bmw battery is on the cards. not too sure about the other alternatives. many thanks.

 

[Greg Masters]

i must have been dozing when the bikes were burning. how common is it?

Quite common as you get older. Try a mug of Horlicks before you go to bed and get a good night's sleep.

Greg

 

[simplysounds]

just revisited this thread again. bought a sealed genuine bmw battery from an ebay seller. put it on the optimate first before installing. average use is three 1/2 journeys during the week and a 1-2 hrs riding at the weekend. i have hid's in main/high/fogs, imobiliser (draws 1ma) and autocom powered from aux 12v soacket (and goes off shortly after bike ignition off). charges between 14.7 - 17v from bikes electrics. terminals are tight and greased. bike draws some current (2.4 amps) when ignition switched off - haven't tested to see how long for.

when not put on optimate at night etc the battery has problems cranking the bike if left in garage for 3-4 days.