Author Topic: battery? (Read 4093 times)

no bs · **on:** January 21, 2014, 02:19:13 am

symptoms: upon turning key to on position, fuel pump energizes, fuel pump icon goes out as normal. starting, fuel pump icon illuminates briefly then out as normal. I think the factory exide has lost it's inspiration(2011 g5 deluxe purchased on 8 apr 2012). frankly, has lasted about as long as I would expect for a one lunger. still kick starts, was slow cranking.

gashousegorilla · **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2014, 02:47:55 am

Sure sounds like it. My Exide lasted three years.... using a tender to compensate for the ..ah... charging system

I'm on my second battery since 09'. I had a good sealed battery on a bike last six years... and sold the bike with it. Used a battery tender on that one too.

gremlin · **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2014, 03:14:40 pm

Amplifying what GHG has implied about the charging system.

The UCE alternator is not really up to the task of a slow reving engine with electric start and "allways-on" headlight.

Either keep your battery charged, or, watch it die from sulfate suffocation.

no bs · **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2014, 03:39:44 pm

well, i ride it almost every day at 70 mph indicated to work and back. i think it has just gone south.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2014, 04:04:15 pm

You could try a trickle charger to see if it revives but it sounds done to me.

Scott.

barenekd · **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2014, 05:55:24 pm

The staock batteries are noted for short lives. Replace it with a good AGM, I used a Deka. No charging problems with a 55-60 H4 bulb. Actually never any charging problems. I did have the jumper removed so I could turn off the headlight when not necessary. Even rode around occasionally with it off. Never had any problems with cops. They probably just thought it was an antique and left it alone!
Bare

gremlin · **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2014, 05:57:42 pm

Quote from: no bs on January 21, 2014, 03:39:44 pm

well, i ride it almost every day at 70 mph indicated to work and back. i think it has just gone south.

Fair enough. Under those conditions I would expect the charging system to be adequate.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2014, 06:02:08 pm

+1. Also, if you've been riding the same way every day and never had a problem why would you now?

And +1 to AGM.

Scott

no bs · **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2014, 08:15:43 pm

even get an indicated 80 mph on occasion to avoid the cagers. did not leave me stranded, so that's good.

Craig McClure · **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2014, 08:44:16 pm

Over the years I've found doddering batteries to finally fail during a FULL MOON. WE'VE BEEN HAVING A BEAUTY LATELY, if you've noticed. Anyone else noted this phenomenon?
**Do yourself a favor get an AGM battery. You will like it!

gashousegorilla · **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2014, 10:26:20 pm

Quote from: no bs on January 21, 2014, 03:39:44 pm

i think it has just gone south.

And I need to follow it ! To the magical land of warm Batteries, sunny skies, riding season eveyday, open roads, no taffic, no charging issues....... No feckin' Snow.... No feckin' 10 degree's.

At least my snow blower has a 120v E start !..... Ah.... I'll let a few more inches fall before I get into it. $:-\$

no bs · **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2014, 11:38:11 pm

no rain in the near forecast for northern california. every day is a good one to ride. but not if you are thirsty or like to bathe(beer costs too much to bathe in).

gashousegorilla · **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2014, 11:53:23 pm

Quote from: no bs on January 21, 2014, 11:38:11 pm

no rain in the near forecast for northern california. every day is a good one to ride. but not if you are thirsty or like to bathe(beer costs too much to bathe in).

I could get into some Bathing in beer in the Magical riding land ....

BUT NOT WHILE RIDING ! Or before and such.... You know

no bs · **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2014, 02:15:22 am

I took it to work today, no problems. the check engine light is still illuminating briefly after start up. I have measured 13v at the battery with nothing on. tomorrow i'll put the fluke inductive ammeter on while running. what should the charging out put read? at what rpm? I realize it's not going to be a whole lot, but is there a value stated somewhere?

Ducati Scotty · Should be 13.5-14.5V at cruising RPM.

Should be 13.5-14.5V at cruising RPM.

High On Octane · **Reply #15 on:** January 23, 2014, 03:32:24 am

Most systems test good at idle with lights on at around 12.5-13.2V. Anything over 2000 RPMs should read 13.6-14.4V.

Scottie

mattsz · **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2014, 12:34:33 pm

Quote from: no bs on January 23, 2014, 02:15:22 am

tomorrow i'll put the fluke inductive ammeter on while running. what should the charging out put read? at what rpm? I realize it's not going to be a whole lot, but is there a value stated somewhere?

Not sure where he intends to "put it on", but I think no bs is looking for a charging current spec, rather than voltage?

no bs · **Reply #17 on:** January 23, 2014, 03:10:05 pm

no, i mean amperage specs.

gremlin · **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2014, 03:39:39 pm

Quote from: no bs on January 23, 2014, 02:15:22 am

I took it to work today, no problems. the check engine light is still illuminating briefly after start up. I have measured 13v at the battery with nothing on. tomorrow i'll put the fluke inductive ammeter on while running. what should the charging out put read? at what rpm? I realize it's not going to be a whole lot, but is there a value stated somewhere?

where will you be clamping ? if on the positive battery cable, then, you will see the amperage drop off as the battery recovers its charge.

no bs · **Reply #19 on:** January 23, 2014, 05:03:25 pm

yes, it will be reading alternator output on the + battery cable at idle and then around 2500 rpm. voltage is 13.5v. just wanted to get an amp measurement since i have the fluke tool.

gremlin · **Reply #20 on:** January 23, 2014, 07:58:25 pm

please understand that the Amperage measurement is a flow measurement. very nearly identical to metering the flow of water. As the battery voltage (pressure) rises, the flow into the battery will drop off.

In a well designed charging system you will not see any difference at all when measuring this current at Idle and at maximum RPM.

The difference in amps between IDLE and 2500 RPM illustrate the weakness of the charging system. the more difference, the weaker the charging circuitry.

no bs · **Reply #21 on:** January 23, 2014, 08:06:33 pm

yes, but if a load is applied as say a headlight, the amperage output should increase.

gremlin · **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2014, 08:00:21 pm

not at the point being metered (battery positive cable).

If the reading increases there when a lamp is turned on, then, the bike is discharging the battery.

no bs · **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2014, 01:57:30 am

ok, measured 3a at idle, and 13.7v.

gremlin · **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2014, 04:35:11 am

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery