View Full Version : SV battery - how long before it runs out and won't start?
I'm just wondering how long it takes for a fully charged battery to drain... approximately? I know things like age, alarms, heated grips are likely to affect performance.
I haven't been near my baby in over 6 weeks. I've been waiting for a day when the roads are not wet or covered in greasy crap :evil:
If I do take the bike out for a run over the holidays (and my nads don't freeze and drop off) how far/long does the run need to be, to fully charge the battery?
mines getting on for 4 years, still on original battery
Would have thought six weeks was pushing it. Worth putting it on charge occasionally to keep it topped up.
fizzwheel
21-12-04, 03:01 PM
Put a new one in mine 4 months ago and it went flat last week.. but I do a lot of short journeys
The quiescent current drain of a standard bike should be no more than a few milli-amps (mA). Aftermarket alarms etc might well be in the same range, so let's say 5mA as a typical value.
5mA x 24hrs = 120mAh, so 8days = 1Ah (amp.hour)
The battery will be of the order of 10Ah capacity (allowing for some ageing), and might typically run at around 80% charge in real life, so a useful range of about 8Ah.
Plus batteries self discharge anyway, maybe half a percent a day.
This would mean an effectively flat battery after around a couple of months. With no alarm, a nearly new battery, cool weather etc you might double this. Ballpark anyway. :?
Cheers embee :thumbsup: Then I don't have to worry just yet, about getting all the gear on, and the bike not starting for me.
Cloggsy
21-12-04, 10:37 PM
The quiescent current drain of a standard bike should be no more than a few milli-amps (mA). Aftermarket alarms etc might well be in the same range, so let's say 5mA as a typical value.
5mA x 24hrs = 120mAh, so 8days = 1Ah (amp.hour)
The battery will be of the order of 10Ah capacity (allowing for some ageing), and might typically run at around 80% charge in real life, so a useful range of about 8Ah.
Plus batteries self discharge anyway, maybe half a percent a day.
This would mean an effectively flat battery after around a couple of months. With no alarm, a nearly new battery, cool weather etc you might double this. Ballpark anyway. :?
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H-Gerickemark
21-12-04, 11:03 PM
now thats good maths! :shock:
Yeah bike batteries seem to fare much better than car ones, especially if you have no alarm or electronic immobiliser. The drain will be minimal so being able to start after several months of non-use is not unusual. That of course assumes it was well topped up before being parked, and that the battery is in good nick.
Cars on the other hand are lucky to get more than a few weeks even with much higher capacity batteries. Drain is usually in the order of 50mA for a modern car with multiple alarm + immobilisers combined with the much higher cranking current for the engine means the battery often struggles.
I regularly have to charge the battery on my Impreza due to not using it often but have never had to with the bike. The car does have a cat1 alarm, cat2 immob, ECU immob (each with their own flashing LED!) plus a tracker so it's no wonder the battery doesn't last long!
wheelnut
24-12-04, 06:18 PM
Bit late, but if you hurry up and ask Santa for an Optimiser, you wont have a problem.
An optimiser will cost Santa half the price of a new battery and it will last for years
I have left mine unused for 2 months but it was in warmer weather :?
northwind
24-12-04, 08:54 PM
Wheelnut, do you have an external connector for that? Or do you tear the saddle etc off every time you finish a ride?
wheelnut
24-12-04, 10:06 PM
You have an external connector, just needs a small hole drilling in a plastic panel from what I saw.
Plug it in everytime you come home
Not sure whether Mate or Miser is best, very similar looking and obviously made in China.
northwind
24-12-04, 10:11 PM
Ah right, so it comes with the bits? Mine is usually fine, but every so often it decides to misbehave so that might not be a bad idea... If I had less gubbins under the seat I'd just swap batteries when i get a flat, but it takes ages to reconnect all the extra wires :)
Bit late, but if you hurry up and ask Santa for an Optimiser, you wont have a problem.
An optimiser will cost Santa half the price of a new battery and it will last for years
I have left mine unused for 2 months but it was in warmer weather :?How much do you pay for your batteries?!
Last time I needed a replacement it was £40 from Halfords or £40 for an Optimate...
wheelnut
25-12-04, 10:03 AM
Bit late, but if you hurry up and ask Santa for an Optimiser, you wont have a problem.
An optimiser will cost Santa half the price of a new battery and it will last for years
I have left mine unused for 2 months but it was in warmer weather :?How much do you pay for your batteries?!
Last time I needed a replacement it was £40 from Halfords or £40 for an Optimate...
But there are deals to be had with optimate, I have seen them as low as £25 and batteries as dear as £60
The point is and was, its cheaper to buy an optimate beacause it will make the battery last longer and keep it in good condition...
Either that or don't be a wuss and get out and ride your bike more :D
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