Battery died, then revived

[Chrisj CMA]

I was out around town, stopped for gas, got ready to go and she turned over 
v e r y    s l o w l y   then nothing.  So I push start it to get home (7 or 8 mi). Once at home, turn it off and she's holding 13 V off and 14 running and starting just like normal
New battery on the charger, just thought it was strange.  Battery was 3 or so years old so I already had a new one ready to charge up

[Firefighter]

Batterys seem strange now a days. Had a couple incidents with cars that the battery will load test good then bad then good again. Causes car problems that I never experienced in the old days. Think maybe your battery could be shorting inside or a post come loose or broken. Replacing is the first step.

[Chrisj CMA]

Chris, l hope it is just the battery.  I had a starter on an old GMC that lost cranking power when hot.  How would an owner know if it is starter or battery without a voltmeter on the bike at the time it failed?

Well, good thing I had a volt meter..didn't look real close but it was way low when it wouldn't start.

[Rio Wil]

Don't think I have ever heard of a bad starter on this board.....lots of bad battery' :crazy2:s....

[Chrisj CMA]

OK, new battery all charged up and installed.  Raining, so no test ride...reading 13 V so I couldn't stand it, had to hit the starter just to see if it was going to turn over.  Guess what, a tiny tap and she was running.   I mean INSTANT...OK, so just a hint of exhaust in the family room.  I think it smells good. Let's see if Judy notices... He he he

[Chrisj CMA]

Went out for a real good test ride, seems to run better than it has been, even though its been running fine.  A little more pep in the throttle response I guess having all the amps is more better for the ignition than having just enough to keep her running.

[Paladin528]

My old battery on my Shadow did that before it fully gave up the ghost.  Would be fine in the morning but after riding for a few hours it wouldnt start the bike.  if I let it sit for a while it would be fine.  Very strange behaviour.  It finally just completely died

[Tfrank59]

So was the battery actually low in the first instance or was it just a bad connection?  Oh okay I guess I read that you put a voltmeter on and the batt was low ha?  In any case I'd like to hear about how you push started her-- did you happen to be at the top of a big hill?

[Chrisj CMA]

So was the battery actually low in the first instance or was it just a bad connection?  Oh okay I guess I read that you put a voltmeter on and the batt was low ha?  In any case I'd like to hear about how you push started her-- did you happen to be at the top of a big hill?

Ok lets see I didn't "put" a Volt meter on it.  Theres one always there



Normally I just look to see that the volts are at 13 when I turn the key on.  When hitting the starter the volts drop until it starts and then climbs to 14.  Well that time it dropped as I hit the starter then just kept dropping.  I was only in the starter for 3 or 4 seconds, not near enough to drain a battery that had any life in it.

This is Florida man, we have very few big hills.  I just used the slight down hill ramping slope of the gas station driveway into the street.  I didn't even get off the bike just popped it into second, waited for no cars, feet walked it to that little ramp part of the driveway and popped the clutch.  Started right up and started the next 4 or 5 times I tried it just like normal. 

I just didn't trust that battery and I had a new one so it went in

Bike is happy, Im happy.  Oh, there was a very small amount of white corrosion on the POS terminal but the connection was clean and tight

Hope that answers your questions there Tfrank

[Jess from VA]

All my previous Yuasas lasted 9-10 years on a tender.  My most recent one, about 2.5yo, just lost its charge (enough to spin but not ignite, even on button let-off) from leaving the satellite radio on for about 20-25 minutes (no music, just the radio which does not turn off with the key).  It doesn't seem that that should be much of a draw.  (I suppose I could have some corrosion going on in the radio's fairing power port.)  Very small decline in parking lot allowed me a push start from the riders seat. 

It worried me for the trip to NC, but no problems.  Ordering another anyway to put on the shelf.

All starts on a new battery take one tenth of a second on the button.

[Tfrank59]

So was the battery actually low in the first instance or was it just a bad connection?  Oh okay I guess I read that you put a voltmeter on and the batt was low ha?  In any case I'd like to hear about how you push started her-- did you happen to be at the top of a big hill?

Ok lets see I didn't "put" a Volt meter on it.  Theres one always there



Normally I just look to see that the volts are at 13 when I turn the key on.  When hitting the starter the volts drop until it starts and then climbs to 14.  Well that time it dropped as I hit the starter then just kept dropping.  I was only in the starter for 3 or 4 seconds, not near enough to drain a battery that had any life in it.

This is Florida man, we have very few big hills.  I just used the slight down hill ramping slope of the gas station driveway into the street.  I didn't even get off the bike just popped it into second, waited for no cars, feet walked it to that little ramp part of the driveway and popped the clutch.  Started right up and started the next 4 or 5 times I tried it just like normal. 

I just didn't trust that battery and I had a new one so it went in

Bike is happy, Im happy.  Oh, there was a very small amount of white corrosion on the POS terminal but the connection was clean and tight

Hope that answers your questions there Tfrank

Sure that answers my questions. . I know Florida is kind of flat, and I appreciate your explanation of the procedure to pop start the girl, because here in Washington state we have plenty of hills but unfortunately sometimes we end up at the bottom of one.   I like that little dashboard you built with the voltmeter in there--looks like something I should add.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

What you didn't answer was did Judy notice ? 

[desertrefugee]

Ok lets see I didn't "put" a Volt meter on it.  Theres one always there

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but I just spent some time trying to find a similar VM to the one Chris has installed.  Close, but no cigar.  Chris, would you mind sharing your source?  I'd love to have one of these...   Thanks!

[desertrefugee]

Actually, I modify my request (respectfully).  On first glance, I thought your gauge was a complete unit (chrome backing shell and all).   Looking at the photo on something other than a SMART PHONE, I can actually see now that it's a panel mount...I think.   I'm looking for a self-contained unit that mimics the OEM gauges...I believe I could fashion a bracket that mounts to the center windshield bolt.

Thanks anyway!

[Chrisj CMA]

LOL...Ok, well first off....Judy did not notice the exhaust smell in the family room.  When I told her about it she just looked at me like "So whats the big deal" The bike is her baby too, she just doesn't mind anything about the bike.  Even when sometimes there is a gas smell, she says "why is there the smell of gas is anything wrong"  I would always check, and then say......they just do that sometimes"  And shes like ok, as long as its normal.

About the Volt Meter.  Its a marine guage from the Overtons boating gear catalog.  Yes, it is a panel type mount, but it is a very good piece of equipment.  The face is a little whiter than the faces of the factory gauges, but it doesn't look bad and the style fits real good

[rekit]

I don't have the link handy, but last week I saw a YT vid where this guy drained his car sized dead battery, flushed it with water and then baking soda twice, rinsed it again with water then put in some alum -(maybe 8 oz?)(from Amazon) mixed with water. Seemed to think a lot of lead particles flake off and short out the plates at the bottom. ( course if that was true why not just put the acid back in?) Charged it and it worked. Worked 3 months later and it was 10 or 20 degrees outside.....I cant wait to try it on a mower or something. Sick of batteries..........