Continuing battery problems.

[Pete7]

Be interesting to see if it continues to drop without being used over the next few days.

Pete

Originally Posted by Pete7

Be interesting to see if it continues to drop without being used over the next few days.

Pete

It will be. I'm just wondering though what sort of discharge rate is normal and to be expected. If it levels out and doesn't drop too fast I'd then be inclined to think it's something else draining the battery (loose connection) as the charging system figures being a smidge higher than idling figures suggests it's doing it's job. But it's certainly not my strong point and would welcome any further input. Quick and easy fix is it's just a duff battery though so I'm hoping it's that.

[Bibio]

are you taking these figures with the battery in the bike or out the bike.

take reading with the battery disconnected and leave it disconnected. so charge the battery and let settle for about 6 hours then take a reading, wait a day then take another reading.

leaving the battery connected is not going to tell you shizz. you must disconnect the battery from everything yes that includes the charger.

if there is a drop in the voltage reading then it's fubar.

if there is no drop then its fine and you have an electrical drain somewhere.

The last 3 readings have been with battery completely disconnected Lance. First was:

12.98v - Taken about 4p.m. yesterday over 24 hours after being taken off charge. Then as I was bored I took another reading about 16.50 yesterday and it was:

12.74v - Left overnight and it was:

12.67v this morning.

Just taken another and it's 12.69v! So it's dropped off but then steadied and even gone up slightly.

[Bibio]

if it's keeping that charge then it might be fine. another problem with battery's is amperage. the volts might be ok but the cranking amps are away to pot.

by the sounds of it the battery is ok so you have an electrical drain somewhere and i would suggest you start looking at your loom for splits and rubbing.

since its summer then disconnect your heated grips and see how you get on.

Originally Posted by Bibio

by the sounds of it the battery is ok so you have an electrical drain somewhere and i would suggest you start looking at your loom for splits and rubbing.

Which is the outcome I was dreading as I'm assuming it could be a mare to track the cause down.

Assuming the battery stays steady at it's current voltage disconnected I was thinking that if I reconnect it tomorrow but leave heated grips etc disconnected, if there is a drain somewhere the battery voltage will start to drop again and at least that would confirm things.

Then it would just be the arduous task of trying to find the cause.

But at least if it a something that can be sorted by a bit of electrical tape then that's £40 saved on a battery that can go towards a gel seat!

Well 12.67v this morning, same as yesterday. The slight rise in voltage over yesterday was probably due to temperature or something. Going to reconnect the battery only, no accessories, and see if it starts to drop again which in my eyes will confirm a drain from somewhere in the system.

Just as a slight aside, how low will the voltage go before it won't start the battery (i.e. 9.5v) and is my current voltage of 12.67v for a battery 2 days off charge a decent voltage or should it be a bit higher?

As per the other day, when the battery is connected there is a slight drop in voltage (Was 12.67v then went to 12.64 when connected so drop of 0.03v) The other day it was 12.95v when connected and rose to 12.98v when I unhooked it. Should this be the case or should it read the same connected as it is unconnected? Probably a normal thing but thought I'd mention it as it also could be a sign of a drain.

[aesmith]

That could be a sign of current draw. Can you measure current with your multi meter? If so then (with care) you could connect the positive to the bike, then meter positive probe to battery negative terminal, meter negative probe to negative cable. With care as you don't want to short the battery with the meter, either directly or by accidentally grounding something.

Regarding absolute voltages, if the battery's fully charged and at rest then it should read something over 12.5V (different document cite different absolute values). 12.0 or below means just about flat, although it still might start the engine.