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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: JRider on February 28, 2006, 11:05:50 PM

Title: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: JRider on February 28, 2006, 11:05:50 PM
My battery died out of nowhere. I jump started my bike and let it run for about 25minutes in the parked position. Then my bike won't turn back on. What does this mean? Did I not charge my battery long enough or is there something else wrong?
Title: Re: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: makenzie71 on February 28, 2006, 11:09:50 PM
You did absolutely nothing by letting it idle for half an hour.  That doesn't charge anything...it's actually a drain.

You need to actually ride the bike at cruising speeds for that long or put the battery on a charger.
Title: Re: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: ajgs500 on February 28, 2006, 11:53:06 PM
He is right.......
Title: Re: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: Cal Price on March 01, 2006, 02:33:33 AM
Yup, revs are key to on-bike charging, give it a blast around for 40 - 60 mins, it should start ok after that.

If not you may have charging issues. I had a problem with the altenator on my Yammy it would keep things going OK but as soon as extra load was applied like lights or turn signals there was a tendancy to stall. If nothing like this is happening your battery simply needs a good charge. If you have or can borrow or buy a simple charger leave it on for 24hrs minimum and if there is a notable improvement you have cracked your problem.
Title: Re: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: annguyen1981 on March 01, 2006, 10:01:29 AM
I believe that the manual states that a proper charge occurs around 5K rpm...  Can anyone verify this?
Title: Re: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: 3imo on March 01, 2006, 10:36:07 AM
be sure to maintain the levels in your battery.

if it doesn't take a charge for a charger. buy a new one.  walmart has um cheap .
Title: Re: How long do I need to keep my bike running after a jump start?
Post by: RedShift on March 01, 2006, 07:02:29 PM
I put a voltmeter across my battery leads a few months ago, and I had to have the bike rev at over 2500 RPM to get over 13 volts.  (12.6v is a fully charged battery)  Running the bike at idle will do little to aid the battery.

Best (most enjoyable) answer is to ride it for 30+ minutes.  As said, the battery and charging system should be in good health, filled with water.  The boring answer is to put it on a trickle charger -- something that provides measured recharge.

Now, tell us some history.  Is this an old (5+ years) battery?  Was it sitting for several months?  Did it experience a heavy discharge recently?

Batteries usually don't fail just like that.  There are usually warning signs; headlight dimming when at idle, sluggish turn-over before catching, etc.  Batteries are not like diamonds -- they are not forever -- they wear out though use or neglect.