Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: edthetermite on July 17, 2013, 08:49:14 pm

Title: Solved: Battery Exploded
Post by: edthetermite on July 17, 2013, 08:49:14 pm
Something went askew with my charging system as my Yuasa dry cell battery exploded today. See pic.

Haven't checked things out yet but beside the voltage regulator going wacky what else would cause the battery to split the case?
The last few times I rode the Bullet I noticed the ammeter needle staying to the right all the time and about midscale on the + side of the gauge.
This was an identical battery to the one that came on the bike new and the first one lasted 5 years nearly.

Update: received new battery and troubleshot problem. Revving engine produced over 17 volts at battery. Swopped out alternator module and things dropped back to the 14's.
If your ammeter needle stays well into the positive area for extended periods of time you might want to doublecheck things.
Title: Re: Battery Exploded
Post by: ace.cafe on July 17, 2013, 08:58:51 pm
A severe overcharge on a hot day could do it.
Title: Re: Battery Exploded
Post by: edthetermite on July 17, 2013, 09:07:14 pm
Quote from: ace.cafe on July 17, 2013, 08:58:51 pm
A severe overcharge on a hot day could do it.

Would a 'severe overcharge' only occur if the regulator is tits up? It was about 92 outside when the failure occurred.
Title: Re: Battery Exploded
Post by: ace.cafe on July 17, 2013, 09:16:25 pm
Quote from: edthetermite on July 17, 2013, 09:07:14 pm
Would a 'severe overcharge' only occur if the regulator is tits up? It was about 92 outside when the failure occurred.

That would be a good likelihood.

A short circuit inside the battery could also do it.
Title: Re: Battery Exploded
Post by: ERC on July 17, 2013, 11:00:18 pm
I've seen them crap out from vibration.   ERC
Title: Re: Battery Exploded
Post by: edthetermite on July 20, 2013, 04:38:11 am
Quote from: ace.cafe on July 17, 2013, 09:16:25 pm
That would be a good likelihood.

A short circuit inside the battery could also do it.

I pled my case with the folks at BatteryStuff.com and they took the position that only something external to the failed battery could of caused it to become overcharged to the point of rupturing the case. They did give a healthy credit toward getting another battery, which was appreciated.
Proving unconvincingly that the battery failed on it own would be difficult I'm thinking.
Title: Re: Solved: Battery Exploded
Post by: edthetermite on August 10, 2013, 02:18:13 pm
Replacement battery (Scorpion) lasted a few weeks before developing an internal plate short after warming up. Left me on the side of the road again. My wife is getting very annoyed with picking me up.  :'(

Maybe I need to go back to a Yuasa?