Second / Bigger Battery

[kml.krk]

I realized that my relatively short commute may not be charging the battery very well.
On Friday I charged my battery overnight using automotive charger (2 Amp setting) and my bike actually started right away on Saturday after sitting about 6 hours in about 40 degrees.

My commute is 4 miles in the morning which takes about 15 minutes, but some of it is just idling on red lights, in the afternoon though it usually takes me about 30-40 minutes to get to school (7 miles) but it also often is sitting in traffic more than riding.


I ordered that BikeMaster TruGel battery already so I will give it a try. Being a newer technology + 170 CCA in -18C should provide plenty of starting power.
I will however try to charge my battery using that automotive charger every weekend to maintain fullest possible charge.

Another thing you can do is to add a relay to turn off the headlight while the starter button is pressed.

I actually though about it. Last year I used to manually unplug my headlight before attempting to start my bike. It helped a lot!

Could you please tell me some more about it? How expensive such relay is? Where can I get one, preferably online. How can I do it (step by step guide or simple tutorial would be awesome)?
I would greatly appreciate!

[kml.krk]

HA! I think I found part of my starting problem.

My charging system seems to be messed up somewhat. I tested it with multimeter today, and on idle it shows 13.6V - 13.9V and above 3000 RPMs it shows only 12.9V - 13.0V.

I actually noticed that long time ago but didn't have any real issues because of that so I though it was normal.
Just now I realized that it's a source of my starting problems.
My battery never gets 100% charged.

What do I need to check to verify that there really is a problem, if there is what needs to be replaced?

Thanks,
KML

[kml.krk]

I just found out that my charger has built in alternator check. I will do some tests tonight.

What are other ways to test charging system?

EDIT: OK, found other ways: http://www.ehow.com/how_5283056_check-motorcycles-charging-system.html

If I have time I will try to run those tests tonight. 

[kml.krk]

So I ran couple of tests for my charging system

1. I used my Black & Decker Smart charger to check voltage 
This time the voltmeter showed about 12.7V on idle, and 13.9V when engine revved up over 3000RPMs

2. I couldn't believe that it suddenly was all good so I took another tool to check voltages
Same thing = all good

3. Just to make sure that my charging system is fine I again used that Smart Charger to check the alternator, hooked it up, revved to 5000, pressed alternator check, it took about 10-15 seconds and it showed voltage is in proper range.

4. Repeated test above with heated grips on, and again it showed me OK

So my guess is that in the morning my battery might have been a little drained from cold starting and that's why it didn't show proper voltage...

[gsf500RR]

My bike stay alot outside, I have noticed the following:

If:

-the battery is good (less than 2 years, I personally change my battery every 2-3 years)
-recharged (during the winter I full my batterie every 1-2 week with a charger)
-the jeting is correct

Then the bike should start well (full chock on) even when it's cold (I've test up to -3 degree celcius, that's below water frozing temp)!

If:

-the battery is old
-or not recharged enough because you don't ride enough time so your bike recharge it and you don't charge it with a battery charger or your alternator is dead

Then the bike won't start when it's cold. But it's not that much of a problem, you can start the bike manually since the gs is light it's not hard at all.


In conclusion: no need for extra/bigger battery!

[ramennoodles]

I was surprised by how well the trugel battery actually worked for me.  It came already charged and I haven't had to charge it at all since I got it.  My bike sat for about three weeks and still started right up with the first crank in the cold.  I hope it solves your problem like it solved mine.  I'm also running factory stock jets

[kml.krk]

^^^
that sounds awesome.
I highly doubt that after 3 weeks of not using my bike it would start.

I can't wait for that new battery.
Like I said before, I will give it good charge using automotive charger once in a while to maintain good charge, to compensate for my relatively short commute.

[Anaconda]

^^^
that sounds awesome.
I highly doubt that after 3 weeks of not using my bike it would start.

I can't wait for that new battery.
Like I said before, I will give it good charge using automotive charger once in a while to maintain good charge, to compensate for my relatively short commute.

yeah, my commute is a total of 5 miles round trip to school. lol so kml.krk, can the gel batteries be charged with a standard battery tender?

[kml.krk]

The battery charger that I have (Black & Decker Smart Charge) lets you choose 3 types of batteries:
WET, GEL, AGM

it also lets you choose Amps:
2, 10, 15

it is a 3 stage charger, with built in protection so you won't accidentally fry your battery if you try to charge motorcycle battery on 15 Amp setting 

It also has build in alternator check and float charger, series of messages pop up on the little screen if something is not right.

It's quite sophisticated for what it is 

[kml.krk]

I put in the TruGel battery yesterday. Bike started right up after work.
Today was warm (45F) so it's not a real indicator, but after 6 hrs at school bike started right up.

It sounds like the starting motor is spinning faster now. (I think GSJack mentioned that)

After battery arrived I hooked it up to a charger and after few seconds it showed FULL, so either Gel batteries don't loose charge while on the shelf or the seller charged it before shipping (I doubt they did)

so far so good,
as soon as I have some spare time I will install the headlight cutoff relay to increase starting power even more.

[Anaconda]

When you do get to work on the headlight relay, i think you'll provide great assistance if you can include some photos of it

[kml.krk]

I haven't been riding for the past two weeks. I went for vacation.

Now there is lots of snow on the ground (overnight snow storm) so no more riding for me for next two days until the city can get rid of snow on the streets.
I don't mind riding in cold but riding in snow with summer tires is a suicide...

IF I decide to install the relay I will try to take some pics. I am unsure if I will do it however because since I upgraded the battery I didn't have any issues with starting in cold.
Bike died few times during warm-up in less than 30 deg but the battery provided enough juice to keep cranking.

Stay Warm!!
KML

[twocool]

Another thing you can do is to add a relay to turn off the headlight while the starter button is pressed.

I actually though about it. Last year I used to manually unplug my headlight before attempting to start my bike. It helped a lot!

Could you please tell me some more about it? How expensive such relay is? Where can I get one, preferably online. How can I do it (step by step guide or simple tutorial would be awesome)?
I would greatly appreciate!

I am confused!  On all three of my bikes, the headlight goes off when the starter is engaged.  I thought there is ALREADY a relay in there to do that, why would you need another relay to do the same thing?


Cookie

[Paulcet]

Not ALL bikes do that.  Some (like most GS500s) keep the headlight powered during start-up. 

[mister]

Not ALL bikes do that.  Some (like most GS500s) keep the headlight powered during start-up. 

Must be a country thing maybe. Cause all GS's I am aware of down here, cut power to the headlight when starting.

Michael

[twocool]

Not ALL bikes do that.  Some (like most GS500s) keep the headlight powered during start-up. 

Must be a country thing maybe. Cause all GS's I am aware of down here, cut power to the headlight when starting.

Michael

This is my understanding.....let me know if I am incorrect.

In places (Countries) (like USA) where headlights are required to be "on" at all times, day or night when riding...

The headlight turns "on" when the key is turned to the "on" position.......When the starter is engaged with the start button, a relay turns the headlight "off" until the bike starts, and the relay turns the headlight "on" again.

There is no dedicated switch for the headlight.

In places (Countries) where the headlight is not required to be "on" all the time, the bikes are fitted with headlight switches.  So you leave the headlight "off" during starting, and turn the headlight "on" when you want/need light.

Either way, there is no need for "another" relay.........

Cookie

[scratch]

Would just turning on the bike, without starting it, "warm up" the battery/electricals enough to get a good start?

[redhenracing2]

In places (Countries) (like USA) where headlights are required to be "on" at all times, day or night when riding...

The headlight turns "on" when the key is turned to the "on" position.......When the starter is engaged with the start button, a relay turns the headlight "off" until the bike starts, and the relay turns the headlight "on" again.

There is no dedicated switch for the headlight.

My gixxer leaves them on when starting, but with the h.i.d. kit they kind of flash back and forth. Mom's ex250 does not even turn on the headlights until the engine is already running, they don't come on with the key.

And actually, my 'high beam' switch cuts out the lights 

[Paulcet]

Is there a wiring diagram for recent US models available? I believe the one in the wiki shows no such relay.

[kml.krk]

I live in USA, I have 2004 model.

My headlight stays on ALL THE TIME after turning the key to ON position.
Which means that I do NOT have relay installed by default.

It was said somewhere here that newer models in USA have that relay installed by default.