Heyup, I bought a new battery a few months ago which is a 12ah. I have noticed recently the bike is a little lazy on the button. I have tested it with a proper battery tester and it is reading 7ah. I also put a volt meter across the terminals whilst starting the bike, the voltage dropped from 12.4V to about 7V. Is my battery knackered? On its way to being knackered? Not charging properly? Reg on the way out? Should I buy a Fireblade? Thanks chaps.
Sounds like a cell has gone down Nelson....what voltage is your alternator putting out? Unplug the yellow leads coming out of the alternator and measure across 2 of them, should be 50v+, and if it is, then test it again across the battery at 3000rpm plus, and it should be around 14.5v + or - 0.5v. if you get the 50+ out of the alternator, and less than 14 at the battery, then change the rectifier, its fried the battery........
Again, sounds like the batt has a cell down, before tossing it in the bin you could take it off the bike and try an equalization charge to get all the cells to the same voltage. this does need an older style charger that does not sense the voltage, this will / should be done around 15- 15.5 v. over about 48 hours. DONT do it on the bike or indoors, DONT do it at all if you are not confident with it or understand it.
I suspect the SS reg/recs put out too much (which is why I ride lights on) so I wouldn't be surprised if it happens with other models. I have what appears to be a cheapo normal battery on my bike, which I have topped up once in three years and put it on charge once in the same period. The bike gets used, but not daily, sometimes left for a month without being run......It seems to start OK on no more than a second push of the button. It has an Electrex reg/rec fitted which wasn't wired too well, but has been tidied up and the connections made good. However, now that I have said that, no doubt my luck will change as it usually does and it won't start. AL.
Thanks again. I'll do those tests this morning. Is it poss that the reg is ok, but simply not passing enough charge in to the battery to keep up with demand? Therefore battery ok, but reg knackered, ,or do they not fail this way If I charged the battery and it took a charge would this show it as ok and reg dunfore? Assuming alternator check is ok? Cheers
Nelson A very useful, understandable guide to lead- acid battery's here:Battery Basics Explains what an 'Equalization charge' is.
If you have a charger that offers a "Recovery Charge" function, try that, you MAY recover the battery....otherwise its a new one I'm afraid old thing.......
Righto - Getting 30V out of the yellow connector on tick over, pumping up nicely when the bike is revved. Battery. Bike not running is 11.8V (bike has been started a lot in the garage) Bike running tick over 13.8v Bike revved - no noticeable change to 13.8V If she needs a new batt then ho hum I'll get one, just don't want to pop one on and have it get destroyed by a dodge rectum fryer! Thanks chaps.
Cheers John, Few more months for Ducati ownership and I'll be apply for a job with Nog on the MR race team...:biggrin:
The stable battery 13.8v voltage shows that the regulator is working correctly, so that is o.k Your initial post 'I have noticed recently the bike is a little lazy on the button' might not be the fault of the battery, but other factors, such as bad earth connections, starter relay contacts dirty, starter motor not performing properly!
Cleaning the main leads form the battery to and from the solenoid and starter made a world of difference to my 749. Worth a fiddle. Duke
That wont explain the low voltage readings tho John......but I do agree you should put heavy duty leads on from the -ve side of the battery to the engine DIRECT ( and not via the frame ), and from the +ve side to the solenoid, and from the solenoid to the starter motor, and clean up and vaseline the connections too. Make sure earth bolts are tight too......
I've been down to my friendly local battery shop where I got the battery in April. He has confirmed it's ok, no dead cells or the like, but would benefit from a good charge. I have ordered some chunky monkey leads and crimps for both +and - sides. Noticed the battery is actually a 10ah not a 12 as my opening post... Cheers
Then it sounds like its probably just corrosion on terminals and earths Nelson, but keep an eye on the rectifier, I still think 13.8v is too low........
Thanks Nog, will do... Fortunately the bike starts ok. I'm just a bit worried that one day it may demand a little extra and it wont be there!
