battery dying -- again

[nightrider]

battery deadish after 60 days or so--bike barely started yesterday to get me to work on time--yeesh.

I had got an ammeter a couple weeks ago. it didn't work.

a week ago I figured out my problem and got a 9v battery to put in the ammeter.

I am hoping that the frequent discharging is normal with my numerous short hops (2 to 20 minute rides). However if cars don't need this crap all the time and neither do most bikes, wtf is my problem?

I am also hoping a new charge, or at most a new battery is all that I'll need.

So I got all my sh1t together and went up to my bike.

battery reads 12.4ish between terminals with bike off/idle

battery reads 13.5-14ish when bike is running, up to 5k revs. Never breaks 15 V. Need new battery? It's within range.

Things start to go wrong when I move on to the next test sections.

First, it's hard to tell what is the connector box from the alternator. I do find something that looks like what Kerry had, but the wires are different colors than any source describes. I check the prongs from this box, and get a reading of .30ish between two of them.

also unable to determine or disconnect regulator/rectifier wires, none of the wires are the colors described, one of the connectors stuck.  Got some weird readings of 12 or 13 ish by sticking the meter needles in the back way.

conclusion:

dunno.

charging system seems to work. doesn't seem to be discharging. maybe battery needs replacing--electrolyte levels are on the lower limit line, but its bubbling fine.

so why the fukc does it keep dying on me at the most inopportune times? Normal? New battery? New alternator?

worst thing would be to buy a new battery and have the same thing happen again later. triply so for alternator. but going for a new battery seems like the next logical thing. it's been between a year and two years since it had a new one. Yuasa.

any tips appreciated.

oh: somebody in an old thread said you shouldn't use a trickle charger on a discharged battery. Why not? I have a NAPA 12 Vdc 900 mAdc automatic charger. Is that my problem?

[ohgood]

You're not charging your battery with the bike enough.

For short trips of 2-20 minutes you're not putting back what you use to start it. Add idling time, warm up, and assuming you're sitting in traffic some. Not to mention it doesn't really start to charge until around 4-4500 rpm.

Have you cleaned all your terminal connections (the lead portions) thoroughly until they're shiny ? Check for corrosion. Sometimes it hides down the line, under the insulation. (Found this on my truck).

Are your starter leads tight and clean ? A little corrosion goes a loooong way.

Get a tender. Put the quick connect deal on your battery and leave it hooked up at night. Every night.

I've had the same cheap walmart battery in my 98 gs for >2 years now. I keep the revs up normally, and shut it off for train crossings.

Good luck !

[mark40]

How old is the battery?
What brand? Cheap kind?
Bike batteries are not as durable as car batteries, if they are not looked after really well they go bad easy. Everyone knows someone who does nothing and has a battery last forever, but that is not the norm. If you own several bikes, batteries are a constant source of expense..  It sounds like you have checked the charging  system correctly, so I would get a new battery.
I always replace the battery whenever I get a different bike just because they are always suspect.
Good luck...
Mark..

[sledge]

The figures you quote for battery static and charging voltages are within the figures Suzuki quote in the service manual so I think at this stage its safe to assume the charging system is ok.
12volts across the terminals is not an indication of a healthy battery. Top up the cells if required then take the battery to an auto-electrcian or a car tyre/exhaust/battery depot and ask them to load test it. A load test will indicate if the battery is holding charge and replicates the conditions its put under when doing the most work ie: cranking over a cold engine. The test takes seconds and is often free

A tester looks like this, we have one in the club tool-bank. Its a very useful piece of kit that removes any doubts regarding a battery health.

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=16711&Referrer=Froogle

[nightrider]

so it died today in traffic in beverly hills. i started walking it on a side street and this guy helped me push start it. third time's a charm. then it died when it hit idle a few blocks away.

a second guy helped me push start it again, but it was flooded. got started and kept dying.

i was getting sweaty and tired and i was late for work. sh1t!

this is a real b1tch type situation i wouldn't wish on anyone. kind of like antoine saint exupery crash landing in the desert. it was a real b1tch.

i gave up and parked it.

when i went to lock the helmet under the seat i noticed a wiring connector had come apart. it was the one with three wires. I put it back together.

then the battery was too weak to start it. my starts last night for battery testing and the push starting time had killed it already.

i push started it again. it worked.

i got to work.

david schwimmer and rod stewart came in. really chaotic night.

after work the bike turned over but wouldn't start.

i push started it again.

now i am home. the dead battery is charging. i think i will try to get a new battery asap. 

[yamahonkawazuki]

aint it a Buddha Loves You how the simple stuff bits ya in the arse?  ( been there man)

[ohgood]

so it died today in traffic in beverly hills. i started walking it on a side street and this guy helped me push start it. third time's a charm. then it died when it hit idle a few blocks away.

a second guy helped me push start it again, but it was flooded. got started and kept dying.

i was getting sweaty and tired and i was late for work. sh1t!

this is a real b1tch type situation i wouldn't wish on anyone. kind of like antoine saint exupery crash landing in the desert. it was a real b1tch.

i gave up and parked it.

when i went to lock the helmet under the seat i noticed a wiring connector had come apart. it was the one with three wires. I put it back together.

then the battery was too weak to start it. my starts last night for battery testing and the push starting time had killed it already.

i push started it again. it worked.

i got to work.

david schwimmer and rod stewart came in. really chaotic night.

after work the bike turned over but wouldn't start.

i push started it again.

now i am home. the dead battery is charging. i think i will try to get a new battery asap. 

Glad you found the problem (this time) !