Dead battery, can't be. Not that old.....or is it?

[John Schmidt]

While chasing down some gremlins yesterday on the Valk after putting the bags and rails back on, I went to start it and got that groaning of the starter....followed by a few clicks of the relay. Battery was DOA, even though I keep it on the tender when not being used. Couldn't be, I just knew that battery was only about 3 yrs. old, 4 at the most. I dug out the papers of my maintenance record and unbelievable.....it's seven years old this month. Guess it's time. I usually will change it out automatically at 3 yrs., but three years ago I wasn't doing much riding if you all recall.....or walking, sitting up, feeding myself, the usual stuff we take for granted.

So, it's off to the "bat-ree" store as my granddad used to call it. I haven't checked the alternator output recently, shouldn't be a problem yet, mileage isn't really high enough.

[TJ]

Guess its like you.........

OLD     

[Tundra]

Better to go at home than out on the road.

[Flrider]

I would say that you got your money's worth out of that battery 

[John Schmidt]

Guess its like you.........

OLD     

Yeah but like me, after a little rest it still started again. At least I don't live in Lake Flacid. 

I put a meter on it when I started it after being on the tender all night. At rest it showed well over 13vdc, turned on the key and it dropped to 12.5, hit the starter and it dropped to 9.56....but it did start. Alternator was putting out good, slightly over 15 depending on the RPM, ~13.5 at idle, turned on the driving lights and it's down to 11.5 and didn't change a whole lot with more throttle, but did come up to over 12. Got a new one and just for giggles they put the old one under load. It had nothing left to give. I have the new one on the tender now, will probably leave it there for the night before installing it.

The guy at the counter said I should get seven years out of this one also. I told him it would most likely go with the bike to the new owner since I'd be in my mid-80's by then. He laughed and said "don't be labeled a quitter."   

[flsix]

John I do like it when a battery craps out at the house instead of on the road.

[Valkpilot]

I've underestimated the age of a battery more than once.

Now I write the date of install on the battery.  Silver or gold Sharpies work great for this.