| Author | Message | ||
     Triman023 |
The battery in my S2T is 4 years old. Being low on funds I am trying to figure out a way to monitor the voltage so I can know exactly when to replace it. I get 12.61 volts on it now, the starter spins fine. I have a voltage LED set up on the dash and it stays in the green. Any suggestions as to minimum voltage? | ||
| Redefine420 |
The stock battery on my M2 lasted 11 years and probably had another year or two before I HAD to replace it. Can you spring for a battery tender? I bought two on amazon for $35 each. They're great for winter storage and should help your battery last a pretty long time. | ||
| Triman023 |
Well, no winter here. Its sunny and 70 degrees out today so I ride every other day. I do have a battery Tender and will use it if I go out of town. Guess I will keep checking the voltage. | ||
| Buellistic |
DISCLAIMER: All "BATTERIES" basically made the same way, "BUT" are not equal as some last much, much longer than others ??? "i" have a "BATTERY Tender PLUS" and use it to TROUBLE SHOOT my battery... Has a "RED" LED indicating charging and a "GREEN" LED for indicating the battery is at FLOAT(GREEN LED stays on) ... When "i" come in from a ride the BATTERY is hooked up to this charger and the garage door is manually closed ... If the GREEN LED starts to flicker before "i" reach the door to go into the house all is well, "BUT" "i" check back and hour or so and the LED is still flickering and not solid the battery is put on a charger ... If the battery will not FLOAT, "i" put it on my car charger after which it will still not FLOAT, it is replaced ... Every 6 months my batteries are put on the car charger to help pro-long their lives ... "YES" the charging voltage is checked on a PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE because "i" do not like to be far from home and the bike will not start ... Interested in some BATTERY Class 101, just PM me and a copy is your ... | ||
| Xl1200r |
Use your battery tender all the time - the heat and charging cycles are what kills them, not the cold and sitting. Static voltage isn't going to really tell you when to replace it. Yeah, if it keeps draining low after a couple days of sitting then you need to replace, but it's way past gone at that point. What you need to do is have it load tested for it's rated cold cranking amps. I have no idea what they are for our batteries, but get the battery to a full charge and load it make sure the voltage doesn't drop below (I think) 10.5 volts. This is all going off memory from working in a garage a few years ago - you might only be supposed to use half of the rated CCA. Bottom line is I think an Autozone or similar will test it for free for you. | ||
| Buellistic |
Lets get to the bottom line here !!! Every time you start your bike the battery is getting a LOAD TEST(starting the bike with the lights on) ... Ever notice that when you start your car with the lights on they go out when you hit the starter, well all it takes is a relay and your bike can do the same ... If you take it to a DEALER, or where ever, the load test is more severe than starting your bike and these type of load tests take the life out of your battery ... If you put you battery on a car charger(they are electronic now and do not have a light bulb in them any more)and they will not hurt your battery ... When the METER drops down to FLOAT put it on the bike and see if it will start your bike,if not you need a new battery ... | ||
| Ratbuell |
30 minute rule. If you start the bike...don't tease it, it's not nice. RIDE it. For at least 30 minutes. It takes that long of a ride to guarantee that you've put back the voltage you used starting it. It also burns off any condensation in the oil and primary...but that's another thread-from-hell  |
