Hey,
I replaced my battery less then 2 yrs ago but last night she didnt have enuff to turn over, its harder i assume cuz of the cold, aka takes more cranking power. I jumped her and ran it to charge back up and then tryed starting later that night. Once again each attempt had less and less power. Is it not normal for a battery to give after 2 yrs being used several days a week getting about 7-8k of riding time a year? Or do you think I can pick up some more acid somewhere? It could be a charging problem but i feel strongly its the batt.
-ash
when the temprature drops it does that.. i've seen it do that.
nothing you can do other than put it on a battery tender and let it sit when you arent running the bike.
I wouldn't give up on the battery until you've given it a good charge from a source other than your bike.
If you have access to a 2 amp car battery charger, stick it on there for an hour or two and see if it behaves like new.
If it does, post a reply and we'll brainstorm why it's not getting sufficient charge from your bike. If it doesn't make a difference, it's likely the fault of the battery and a new one would be in order.
(I'm assuming there's enough fluid it the cells to cover the plates and looks good otherwise).
Quote from: ashmanIs it not normal for a battery to give after 2 yrs being used several days a week getting about 7-8k of riding time a year?
-ash
That depends on how you treat your battery the rest of the year. Do you plug it into a battery tender when not in use or do you leave it sit? At what temp do you pull it out (or do you at all?)
I keep all my bikes plugged in as much as possilble and the batteries last about 4 years and then I just replace them because I'm anal.
check the acid level
Ok, I got some more acid from autozone for 3 or 4 bux and refilled my battery. Then gave it a charge for a hour or so and that seems to have done the trick. I cant believe I didnt ride for close to three weeks. :?
-ash
Another satisfied customer. :)
Did you check your water levels too? There are 6 chambers that you need to keep filled with distilled water.
Quote from: ashmanHey,
I replaced my battery less then 2 yrs ago but last night she didnt have enuff to turn over, its harder i assume cuz of the cold, aka takes more cranking power. I jumped her and ran it to charge back up and then tryed starting later that night. Once again each attempt had less and less power. Is it not normal for a battery to give after 2 yrs being used several days a week getting about 7-8k of riding time a year? Or do you think I can pick up some more acid somewhere? It could be a charging problem but i feel strongly its the batt.
-ash
i wouldnt trust it. the same thing happened to me last week- the temp was just at freezing and the bike wouldnt start. i put more water and charge- its fine. i would just get a new batter :dunno:
I didnt put more water in it. I completely emptied it and refilled w/ battery acid. Distilled water sux, the acid is almost cheaper then a bottle of distilled water, and just get a new battery you say. lets see 3 dollars or 60 dollars. hmm, 3 bux and i can always bump start it if need be. common sense over spending cents i dont have thank you.
-ash
Adding edistilled water to a battery when the level gets low is exactly what is called for as part of routine maintenance. It's easy to understand how someone might think that acid is better, but what happens to a battery is, WATER is lost due to evaporation. There's still plenty of acid contained in the water, you just need to keep the water level up to it's minimum level. Also keep it charged as best you can.
Exactly... You're not supposed to top of the battery with acid. I suggest a Gel battery (maintenance free and no danger of acid spill), because your existing battery is not going to hold out much longer.
Dunno bout bikes, but when I lived in Florida (aka the last 16 years or so, till I moved to ATL), I considered myself lucky if the battery in my car lasted more than 2 years... the high temps down there were rough...
Pouring in acid can "add fuel" to the process of sulfating battery plates. You should have "washed out" any lead sulfate that would dissolve before putting fresh acid in the battery.
Here's a link you've got to read on HOW CAN I REVIVE A SULFATED BATTERY? (http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq16.htm). The whole site has good battery information, and agrees to what NiceGuysFinishLast says about heat being the biggest killer of a battery.
Anyway, have a read. (The whole of the CAR AND DEEP CYCLE BATTERY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq.htm) is a great resource -- worth a bookmark.) The best prevention to premature battery failure is a Battery Tender that keeps the thing always fresh and ready for action.