Battery plates (56k warning)

[sanjay]

Hi all,

My battery was pretty weak, with a charge of 12.1 V after a short ride.  I decided to check on my electrolyte level and, lo and behold, it's almost empty!  At first I thought the battery container had lost its transparency but upon finding a flashlight and peering in, realized that the plates were exposed to air.  So I dutifully filled up with distilled water and charged.  When charging was complete it was at 13.4 V but the next day dropped to 11.9.  Does this mean the battery is a goner?  I'm going to purchase a specific gravity meter this week and test with that, as well.

So I read up some more and found out about buckling plates and desulfation and all that fun stuff.  So I took some pictures and thought I'd ask:  how do these look to you?  Is the battery worth trying to save?

Finallly, can electrolyte can leak out the vent hose if the battery is tipped over? 




Thanks for your help.

-Sanjay

[annguyen1981]

I'd get a new battery and not even try to resurrect the dead

[surlybruce]

The battery is FUKT the plates are warped and touching. You can get a new one at the stealer for [aboot] 30-40 $ or the 06 gs is supposed to have a maint free. DO NOT run the old batt or you will fry your regulator at the very least!

[//ACCIDENT]

Sadly my new battery was 80$ filled by them.  You can get one one the internet for a lot less.

[John Bates]

........................
Finallly, can electrolyte leak out the vent hose if the battery is tipped over? 

-Sanjay

I think it will spill out if the battery is tipped waaaayyyy over.  I believe it would take more than the ordinary sidestand angle though.

I just replaced my battery with one having the vent tube on the "wrong" (left) side. After several months I've had no problems.  The electrolyte level has stayed above the plates.  Earlier today I topped off the electrolyte and leaned the bike over as far as it would go on the side stand.  It has not leaked out, not one drop after half an hour.

I don't believe taking curves at severe angles would cause it to leak either.  Remember the bucket of water swinging over your head without loosing a drop?  Same thing.

[3imo]

wally mart has one for real cheap. comes with the stuff to put in. almost identical except vent is on other side. 
some people have complained about this eating their electronics but i havent had any problems(i left the vent hose attached)

[Mandres]

wally mart has one for real cheap. comes with the stuff to put in. almost identical except vent is on other side. 
some people have complained about this eating their electronics but i havent had any problems(i left the vent hose attached)

Do you have a model#?  Is it the ES10L-A2? 

Thx

[sanjay]

Yup, the ES10L-A2.  I paid $30 at Walmart plus a $7 deposit that I'll get back when I return the old one.  I also found a Bikemaster Yumicron YB10L-B2 (with the vent on the correct side) on BikeBandit for $26.96 plus tax and shipping.  The BikeBandit part # is 4572781-45265.

[3imo]

thanks sanjay