Lately when started cold my 04 turns over many times (20-30) before firing up.

Today it turned over for like 30 seconds before the battery started losing it and just started ticking instead of turning.

Also I hear an occasional KCHOCK which sounds like a piston being fired against other, stationary metal parts.

Am charging the battery.

Questions: Should I be taking my battery indoors on days that the temperature drops below freezing? It was like 25 F last night.

I did that last winter but I read some reports that said cold weather didn't really hurt the batteries as much as hot weather, and on Yuasa's website (premium battery co.) they don't make any mention of cold weather problems.

Could this be anything else?

Kyle

Cold weather hurts a discharged battery.  The acid is like anti-freeze, but when a battery gets discharged it becomes less acidic and therefore it freezes at a higher temperature.  That can be devastating.

However, even a fully charged battery in the cold will have less apparent capacity.  Warmed up it should come back to normal.  If it turns your engine over for 30 SECONDS  it's probably fine.

Very Hot Weather is Bad for a Battery Also.This time of Year if a Batery is Getting weak more than likely it's going to go.Being Raised on a Farm the First couple of Cold Days every fall Brings out witch Batteries will make it and which ones won't.

I would be kind of disappointed if it was going to go, I just replaced the damn thing last summer. Plus it's a YUASA which is supposedly the Cadillac of GS500 batteries ($85).

3 hours later it's still charging which means it was at least half discharged. Probably needs a full one. Hope the water didn't freeze in it last night, that would be TOTALLY BOGUS.

Kyle

As long as it had a Little Charge on it it's Probably OK.If it didn't have Ice in itwhen you started Charging it it is Probably OK.

Actually I have Heard Bad things about Yuasa Batteries since they were Started being made in Taiwan.

Quote from: indywar360 on December 19, 2006, 04:27:27 PM
Lately when started cold my 04 turns over many times (20-30) before firing up.

Today it turned over for like 30 seconds before the battery started losing it and just started ticking instead of turning.

If this is normal starting procedure for you then it sounds like something is not quite right.  Either fuel mix. or spark.  My '92 starts amost instantly most of the time.

Quote from: indywar360 on December 19, 2006, 04:27:27 PM
Questions: Should I be taking my battery indoors on days that the temperature drops below freezing? It was like 25 F last night.Kyle

Not necessary as long as you keep the battery fully charged.

Quote from: John Bates on December 19, 2006, 08:30:38 PM
If this is normal starting procedure for you then it sounds like something is not quite right.  Either fuel mix. or spark.  My '92 starts amost instantly most of the time.

+1

Mine starts up with no problems in the cold.  Now this may be really basic and i'm not trying to insult you but are you putting the choke on full before starting it or putting on the choke after it starts?  I turn on my choke all the way then start it, vary rarely does it not start within the first few cranks.  If so, maybe your spark plugs might need to be cleaned and/or gapped. 
Hope this helps you.

I have an Interstate batt. in my GS. Soo far cold temps dont bother it at all. I can start it reguardelss of temp in no more than 3-5 sec of crank.

even after letting the bike sit all last winter (4-5 mos)  I had the battery dissconected.(no charging all winter..) poped it in and the bike fired as normal in a few secs.

as an experiment I am letting the same bat (2yrs now) sit this winter uncharged to see if I can get the same results.

So far I spent like $40-45. on this batt and its been great! i have even left the tail light on overnight and the bike still started the next day 

I thinnk the key about this bat is I got it right from the Interstate dealer. they pour the water in right when they give you the bat. so its new as can be.. no shelf life. Anyway.. I cant say enough good things about the Interstate batt in my GS 

Quote from: scottpA_GS on December 19, 2006, 09:53:13 PM
............... as an experiment I am letting the same bat (2yrs now) sit this winter uncharged to see if I can get the same results.
...........................................

Do you mean uncharged or not on a charger.  If you really mean uncharged, as in not fully charged, then you quite possibly are reducing the overall life of your battery.

Sounds like the problem I have.  It only happens in F*CKING BALL FREEZING weather.

New battery *should* help.  I haven't tried this yet.  I've charged my battery MANY times, and a couple days later, it happens again.

Yeah, there's no need to experiment.  The properties of lead-acid batteries have been known for well on 100 years.  Your experiment is certain to damage your battery.

And that ain't just water they're putting in the battery, so don't go drinking it, mmmkay?

Yes I put full choke on before starting in cold like this (freezing temps).

It's just recently that this happens, after the cold hit. And my battery's been charging since 3pm... 7 hours, and still not complete. Wonder how it got so weak.

Maybe I should take it out and charge it more often?

Tat would be a Good Idea.If you don't ride your bike very Often Keep it hooked up to a Trickle Charger.

Quote from: John Bates on December 19, 2006, 10:17:19 PM

Quote from: scottpA_GS on December 19, 2006, 09:53:13 PM
............... as an experiment I am letting the same bat (2yrs now) sit this winter uncharged to see if I can get the same results.
...........................................

Do you mean uncharged or not on a charger.  If you really mean uncharged, as in not fully charged, then you quite possibly are reducing the overall life of your battery.

No I dont (discharge it) I just let it sit without a trickle charge. And as far as ruining the batt. I paid $40. and got 2 years so far. Thats more that some people I know who went with a cheap batt that lasted one season 

Quote from: Egaeus on December 19, 2006, 10:30:50 PM
And that ain't just water they're putting in the battery, so don't go drinking it, mmmkay?

Yea.. I kinda know that... it is 65% Water though 

In the battery industry, they say batteries never die, they are killed.  This is true of my batteries.  As careful as I am, my day job is not caring for my batteries, so eventually I'll leave my lights on and kill it, or leave it in the cold not fully charged, or cook it in the sun in a parking lot, or crank it for two minutes because I forgot to put on the choke.  So my batteries, and probably your batteries, die from mistreatment.  For that reason, I always buy the cheapest possible battery.  Each one of my $30 walmart batteries lasts 2-3 years, which sounds like the same as everyone else's "Cadillac" batteries.  Only difference is that for the price of the Caddy batty, I can be in batteries for 6-9 years.  Actually I've had walmart batteries in my cars going on 5-6 years, so I know the variance in quality due to price is actually somewhat small.  Anyway, that's my philosophy.

My first and only car so far was an 85 Camry that I got from 2 guys who jump started me in the parking lot of the bank where I paid them cash. That should have been a tip off. The alternator didn't charge the battery hardly at all, so once it got cold, it was kaput. Yeesh. And if I went on short trips or errands it would cut the charge drastically.

So why is my battery low? I ride it every day. It must be the bike doesn't charge it back up as fast as it expends charge on starting, lights, etc. That means I should take it out and charge it regularly.  But cars dont have to do this... why should I.

I don't think its your battery .  If you put on the charger while starting it (set to the proper starting setting) does it start right up or give you the same problems? 

If every morning you can crank it for 30+ seconds before the battery dies and your bike still doesn't start... its your bike.  All the bike needs is a few cranks and it should spark the fuel and fire up.. from then on its the alternator.  so if your cranking and cranking i would check the other three (fuel, air, elec) systems first before you go accusing your battery of falling short.  Check your spark plugs.. check the cleanliness and the gap.  Check your air filter and your carb. 
When you do get it running does it run funny at all? 
Could it be the carbs acting up, possibly making the mix to lean or to rich for startup?
I don't mean to send you on a goose chase or anything but I really don't think its your battery.

Quote from: indywar360 on December 20, 2006, 03:20:40 PM
My first ....car ...was an 85 Camry............. The alternator didn't charge the battery hardly at all, so once it got cold, it was kaput. .............

So why is my battery low? ..........

Maybe your bike has the "85 Camry" syndrom. 

It was the battery. Took 13 hours of charge last night and started up instantly today.

But why would it lose charge? The bike must not recharge it at a rate high enough to compensate for the lights and starting action. Thats my only point.

Knowing (or assuming) this now I will lug the thing indoors and charge it once every month or four.