Battery issue

[montmil]

Sometimes batteries just fail no matter how much love you lavish on them.

The new AGM battery in my Triumph 900 Triple was installed January 2013. March 2014, it went Tango Uniform even though it was ridden frequently and kept on a Battery Tender Jr. Vendor replaced the battery, shipped free, under a prorated warranty for only $23.00. All good now.

Luck of the draw, I'm guessing. The Stabb AGM battery in my '81 R65 is going on 4+ years and is as strong, or stronger, than when first installed. I did remove the OEM VR and replace it with a solid-state unit from Mottorrad Elektrik.

[Bob_Roller]

What is the make and model of battery that you have in your R65 ??

[Mainerider]

It's a BMW battery:



Here's the receipt:


So it looks like 19 amp hours.

Steven

[Bob_Roller]

Have you checked the fluid level in the cells ??

Lets see if we can get the problem narrowed down a bit !!

Charge the battery with the cables disconnected until it is fully charged, disconnect the charger .

Let the battery sit for a day or so disconnected from the bikes electrical system .

Reconnect the battery cables and see what happens when you start it .

Just trying to narrow it down to the battery or the bike .

[Mainerider]

Ok, I'll take the battery out of the bike tonight and put it on the charger. Street Cycles had the rubber battery straps in stock. It was really windy riding up there this afternoon. I'm loving the Sena SMH-5 Bluetooth communicator I just installed on my helmet.

[Bob_Roller]

Be sure to check the fluid levels, it wouldn't be the first time a battery was not properly filled at the dealer before selling it .

[Mainerider]

Fluids were good. Reading 12.45v.  It's on the tender now. That's after charging last night and riding about 15 miles today, half on the highway.

[Barry]

When you think you have it fully charged leave it to rest overnight and then measure the no load voltage again. 12.6V is 100% charged, 12.4V 75%, 12.2V 50%, 12.0V 25%, 11.8V Flat.

[Bob_Roller]

A battery tender, may not charge the battery completly, if it is heavily dicsharged .

A battery tender is meant to keep a charged battery topped off, you may need a battery charger .

[steve hawkins]

I have also found that a seriously discharged battery sometimes will not respond to a battery tender, but needs a 'jolt' (and volt) from a proper hairy chested battery charger.

Although I do use a tender regularly when I can find it (lots of friends borrowing it).

Cheers

Rev Light

[montmil]

The instructions that come with the Battery Tender Jr clearly state that the battery to be "tended" must be 80% charged for the maintainer to do its job. Also mentions it will not recover a discharged battery.

I have a larger battery charger that charges at either a 2 or 4 Amp rate. This is the go-to unit for neglected batteries before they go on the Tender Junior.

Quoting Pretty Wife, Have you read the instructions, darlin'?

My usual 'Guy-Thing' response is, I dun need no stankin' instructions.   

[Mainerider]

So this is what I've got:


I thought the 10 amp charger would be overkill. It's not a BT jr, it's a BT Plus. I don't have the manual for it, though.

[Barry]

When the charger is automatic and is limited to a specific maximum output voltage typically 14.4 volts then the amp rating may be irrelevant.  The concern about oversized chargers mainly applies to the old unregulated type which are capable of 18 volts towards the end of the charge cycle.

I've used the same automatic charger for the car and the bike for over 20 years. An automatic charger is  just mimicking your bikes voltage regulator. Automatic chargers also usually have a float setting at approx. 13.6 volts which is safe to leave permanently connected.

If you have any concern about a charger measure it's output voltage while it's charging the battery to make sure it's a safe voltage and check the current doesn't exceed 2 amps for a sustained period. Anyone with an AGM or Gel battery should only ever use an automatic charger as they are much less tolerant of excess charge voltage than normal wet cells.

Bottom line is the battery manufacturer will provide guidance on charge voltage and current. As long as your charger doesn't exceed the guidelines the size doesn't matter.

[Mainerider]

So all my battery plans went out the window when I got home from work yesterday and it was 68 degrees out. It's the first time it's been above 50 and I just had to put the battery back in and go for a ride. Spring is finally here!


So after a few days on the charger she started fine. And this morning I ran some errands and everything was still good. I'm away till tomorrow, I'll put the meter on it then.

[Mainerider]

So I've still been limping along with the same battery. I charged it up last week then rode about a hundred miles on Saturday. I checked the voltage this morning - 11.3V. So I guess I'm looking for a new battery. Is the 18AH Gruber enough battery or should I go for the 22AH Staab?


Steven