Batteries ... AGAIN!

[Jak]

I've had battery problems before and although I'm probably the least mechanically-minded person round here that's the one thing I can deal with!!!!

OK - symptoms are:

3 days ago I needed to move the bike - it's a while since I last rode it and I wasn't surprised that the battery was obviously a bit flat

2 days ago - trickle charger's done it's job (lights on the charger all lit) and bike starts first time - moved it ok

Today - gotta move it again - key in - nothing - no neutral light - no starter clicks - no electrics at all - just nothing.

Tried flicking the side stand up (although that doesn't normally matter) and it's in neutral. Still nothing.

Oh and before one of you smart-arses says it - I've checked the killswitch

So I figure it's a dead battery (same as this time last year) ... grab the charger and ... no lights at all on that, even after 4 hours. Not a single one (well the 'yes this is working' light's lit).

Checked that the charger works ok on the Ninja and all the lights lit up.

So has my battery suddenly dropped dead? Or is it something else?

[phuk72]

Batteries fecked

Buy a new one (I'd always recommend Yatusa - cost more but ....) and buy an Optimate

[Jak]

buy an Optimate

Got one - but the bike was parked too far from the garage to leave it plugged in

Can it really just drop dead like that??

[idl1975]

buy an Optimate

Got one - but the bike was parked too far from the garage to leave it plugged in

Can it really just drop dead like that??

Do you have an alarm?

If you aren't riding the bike, pull the battery and keep it indoors on the optimate. Being a TRX, it's simple to take it out to the bike with you when you decide to go for a ride, remove seat and drop it back into place. Only a screwdriver or 10mm socket needed, one or the other of which you can put in the tail unit.

[Jak]

Usually it's hooked up to the Optimate in the garage and I don't have a problem ... but it's spent the last couple of months outside in the drive.

Strange thing is - I got a new battery for the scooter (Piaggio 180 thing) and even though that's fully charged there's no electrics on that either.

Perhaps it's me

Three vehicles to choose from and they're all off the road - bloody typical!! I'd use my mate's Ninja but that's got electrical "issues" too!!!!

Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

[phuk72]

Perhaps it's me

Must be user error

Maybe tryr the scooter battery in the TRX just to see if you can get it started and quickly test the charging system (but I'd still bet on the battery being fecked and not holding a charge).

[Jak]

Maybe tryr the scooter battery in the TRX just to see if you can get it started and quickly test the charging system (but I'd still bet on the battery being fecked and not holding a charge).

Was wondering about doing that - might save me pushing the TRX up a hill

[steve speed]

cold weather and or old or cheap battery will be your problem ,, these small batteries that we use do not like the sub zero temps that we sometimes get , but the only way to check is with a multimeter , i am sure there is a page in the manual that gives some advice as to the readings you should be getting ,if the bikes not going to be in use for some time take the battery off and keep it in the house somewhere safe , and go and buy a multimeter

[Mincehead]

Batteries work best if they are `cycled`,ie;charged and discharged.
The temperatures over the last few months and a bike standing out in them,not being used etc will inevitably lead to a build up of chrystals on the lead oxide plates and/or the plates deteriorating and crumbling.
When you try to charge the said`sick`battery what`s left of it`s efficiency often goes out the window and you end up with a ferked battery.
It is always wise to remove batteries if bikes are stored outside for any length of time,keep the battery in the garage/shed/greenhouse etc or even indoors(frost protected)and make up a flying lead with a bulb holder and bulb,that way you can attach it to your battery to discharge it and get a usefull little light for as long as the charge holds too.
Then you can slowly charge the battery again to help keep it efficient.
NEVER try to boost a dead bike battery,they simply cannot handle the amperage and often buckle the plates or can even get so hot that the casing can melt!
The latest calcium batteries are a lot `tougher` than the older lead acid types,and I believe the latest dry cell types(`AGM` absorbant glass mat,`Odyssey` for example) take some beating too although of course they are much more expensive.
Oh and if you get a multimeter(about a fiver in most Maplins from memory)you should get around 13.8 to 14.2 volts with the motor running at say 2000 revs

The future?:

http://inventorspot.com/motorcycle_builder

[Jak]

OK so I've obviously killed the battery.

Any recommendations for a good online place to order one from? And while I'm asking ... what battery is it? Yes, I could go and look but it's dark and I don't know where the torch is and and and ... OK I'm just being lazy LOL ... I did look through the manual & Haynes book but can't find a code for it and I don't want to order the wrong one!!! (YTX12-BS ? or with a C on the beginning? is that the right one??)

[steve speed]

i am pretty sure you will find a good one at halfords

[Jak]

i am pretty sure you will find a good one at halfords

Nearest Halfords is crap - I'll have a look in the morning but IIRC they've only got one shelf of bike stuff

[HolerTogni]

Hi Jak!

...
So I figure it's a dead battery (same as this time last year) ... grab the charger and ... no lights at all on that, even after 4 hours. Not a single one (well the 'yes this is working' light's lit).
...

Could also be a matter of (no) electrical contact between the battery and the TRiXie and between the battery and your charger ...

Did you checked the terminals: are they a bit rusty or somewhat oxidised?

Alternative greetings from Munich!

[Mincehead]

Hey Jak,you`ll possibly not beat M&P on price and can order online too.

http://www.mandp.co.uk/searchResults.as ... =batteries

Just give them a wee bell and they`ll sort you out with whichever one you want,they do Yuasa(as good as original fitment)and gel types too.
And if you want the canines gonads of lead/acid batteries that are currently available in the mainstream,try contacting Odyssey to see if they list the TRX or a battery of the same size/terminal configuration and amp hour:

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

[phuk72]

FWIW, I'd always buy a battery from a dealer / local motorcycle shop. The couple of quid you'll save buying online is a false economy IMHO.

The ONLY batteries I would ever use are Yuasa - they have consistently out performed any other batteries I have used, esopecially on bikes not used every day. The code you want is YTX12-BS