Curvy charging/battery problem.

[radicalry00]

My bike hasn't started for a good 10 days now as the battery just won't charge up. I've had electrical problems for a while now (the battery would only last a week or so without being charged) but I've always kept the bike on charge with the Optimate when not in use.

However, since last week the Optimate will not charge the battery up properly. It just charges for a while and then comes up with the red light and the battery just stays dead. I have bought a new reg/rec as I thought that may have been the problem but I've yet to fit it. But considering the battery will not even charge at all now I'm not sure the reg/rec is the issue.

Does this mean my battery is knackered already? The battery is relatively new, was fitted the day I bought it about 6 months ago so I don't really want to fork out £50 for a new one! Can anyone help me? Any advice appreciated!

[Dave20046]

sure your optimate's not fubarred?

[radicalry00]

Well I have an Optimate 3 which stopped charging the bike so I borrowed my mate's Optimate 4 which does exactly the same. I know that the Optimate 4 works fine on other bikes so I don't think that's the problem. The battery has been draining quickly for months now. Got to the point that it would only start the bike for 3 days until it needed recharging. I know that it's probably a dodgy battery but I'm reluctant to pay out for a new one as it's only 6 months old!

P.S I also have a Datatool System 3 alarm.

[Lucas]

join the club...

get a multimeter hth

[boot]

+1 to a multimeter. Essential bit of kit.

Could try taking the battery off and charge it off the bike with a normal charger, if it charges ok, then try it in someone else's bike? Sounds like you have a short some where tbh. But if it is the battery, and it is only 6 months old, I'd look at having it replaced under warranty if possible, although it is possible you may have killed the battery.

[radicalry00]

Yes I think I'll invest in a multi-meter. I've considered taking the battery out to charge it up but the Datotool alarm has to be put in service mode to do that and will beep every 15 seconds whilst the battery is out. Any way around this?? Could I possibly keep the Optimate connected up to the battery terminals in place of the battery?

[fizzwheel]

the Datotool alarm has to be put in service mode to do that and will beep every 15 seconds whilst the battery is out.

Thats just what they do unforunately, theres nothing you can do about it.

Personally I'd just put up with it, take the battery out the bike and put it on the optimate and see if it'll take a charge that way.

6 month old battery being knackered is possible, It may be that your reg / rec has failed and fried the battery, it has been known to happen.

Go with the multimeter, theres a post by Sid Squid I'll see if I can find for you in a sec that tells you how to check the bike is charging properly, depending on the readings it'll tell you if the reg / rec is blown...

[radicalry00]

Thats just what they do unforunately, theres nothing you can do about it.

Personally I'd just put up with it, take the battery out the bike and put it on the optimate and see if it'll take a charge that way.

6 month old battery being knackered is possible, It may be that your reg / rec has failed and fried the battery, it has been known to happen.

Go with the multimeter, theres a post by Sid Squid I'll see if I can find for you in a sec that tells you how to check the bike is charging properly, depending on the readings it'll tell you if the reg / rec is blown...
Ok thanks fizzwheel, if you can find that post for me I'd be very grateful.

[Lucas]

6 month old battery being knackered is possible, It may be that your reg / rec has failed and fried the battery, it has been known to happen.

happened to me, failed reg/rec discharges battery when parked up but still charges if engine running. the reg/rec finally stopped charging as well. they are funny things, anyhow got a new one and everything works now :D

[radicalry00]

happened to me, failed reg/rec discharges battery when parked up but still charges if engine running. the reg/rec finally stopped charging as well. they are funny things, anyhow got a new one and everything works now :D
There may well be light at the end of the tunnel then! As said earlier I have bought a new reg/rec but haven't fitted it yet. I'll have to carry out the relevant multimeter tests to see if it's the regulator that's at fault. Did your reg damage your existing battery or was it fine once you replaced it?

[fizzwheel]

Right, sorry that took so long, This is what Sid Squid says to do, I am not taking credit for this, as he has forgotten more about bikes than I'll ever know.

Get your multimeter and work through these tests, it should then tell you whats going on with your charging system / battery, if the reg / rec tests are OK then time for a new battery I would suggest

First charge the battery and check the voltage across the battery terminals, (not immediately after disconnecting the charger, you'll get a falsely high reading), should be about 13V, much less and the battery is past it's best, do this first as some supposed charging system faults are duff batteries.

With the lights on and the engine spinning at 5000rpm there should be a reading of between 13.5 and 15V at the battery, if the reading is above 15V the regulator doesn't, if it's below 13.5V either the regulator is toasted or the alternator or wiring is goosed. This is a good rule of thumb test, but does assume that your meter is reasonably accurate, if you're not convinced your meter is accurate try this:
Ensure the battery is fully charged, start the engine, turn on the lights and rev the motor to about 5000rpm, what you're looking for is a rise in the reading of at least a volt, and when the engine speed falls back to tickover that it's still either equal to or preferably a bit above whatever reading you got from the battery alone.

[radicalry00]

Thanks a lot for finding that fizz. I think the battery is dead though now. Took the battery out this morning and put it on charge and after about an hour and half the red lights came on the Optimate again :rolleyes:. It's now on charge with another 12v battery charger and I will see how it goes. Looks like I'll be buying another battery. :(

[radicalry00]

Anybody tell me where I can get a battery online with next day delivery?? Think I'm also going to fit the new reg/rec that I've got to be on the safe side. I can't really test if my charging system is ok as my battery is totally dead.

[Dave20046]

Anybody tell me where I can get a battery online with next day delivery?? Think I'm also going to fit the new reg/rec that I've got to be on the safe side. I can't really test if my charging system is ok as my battery is totally dead.
there's a guy called batteryman who if you pm will give you a number to ring and you need to quote the forum for the discount. Not sure if he's the cheapest or any good, but perhaps somewhere to look.