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Batteries/Charging - yet again!!

STiX

STiX

Joined Oct 2010
2K Posts | 3+
Bridgend, S Wales
Ok new Yuasa YTX14-BS fitted a year ago just before I had the bike.

No problems last year starting. Didn't have an Optimate last year either.

This year after winter wouldn't start so bought an Optimate charged it up started no problem.

However fully charged it only reads 11.8V whereas most seem to read more than 12V fully charged from what I've read on here.

Been using the bike all week and washed it this morning. Went to start it - no joy. Battery reading 11.3V which normally is enough to start it but not today so its back on the Optimate.

When running the bike is charging @ 13.4V which I think is fine.

So I'm guessing the battery is weak/on its way out? How long are batteries meant to last before they aren't effective enough?

I only do a few miles each day - is that not enough to keep the battery topped up to its current max of 11.8V?

And last question - any peeps using this battery seems the dogs if its claims are true?:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTOBATT-MBTX...13?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item230a5ef74d


1495-md-MBTX12U.jpg
 
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Pissed off now and confused. Charged the battery fully. Tried to start it & nothing. Nada.

WTF? Been using it every day and now even with full battery not even a hint of starting.

All I did was washed it??????
 
Hiya mate. Had a similar problem with mine not starting and inwent thorough things for about 15 mins with gilo stood by the side of me. Turned out I'd left it in 1st. U haven't done something stupid like that have you?
 
Well started thinking that but neutral light on sidestand switch light on cranks fine but not a hint of firing. Pissing me off!!
 
STiX said:
Ok new Yuasa YTX14-BS fitted a year ago just before I had the bike.

No problems last year starting. Didn't have an Optimate last year either.

This year after winter wouldn't start so bought an Optimate charged it up started no problem.

However fully charged it only reads 11.8V whereas most seem to read more than 12V fully charged from what I've read on here.

Been using the bike all week and washed it this morning. Went to start it - no joy. Battery reading 11.3V which normally is enough to start it but not today so its back on the Optimate.

When running the bike is charging @ 13.4V which I think is fine.
So I'm guessing the battery is weak/on its way out? How long are batteries meant to last before they aren't effective enough?

I only do a few miles each day - is that not enough to keep the battery topped up to its current max of 11.8V?
Click to expand...
Have'nt we been here before mate?Battery should be 13.5-14v fuly charged.Sounds like it could be on its way out,....and yep,I think your short journeys are killing the battery.
You say the engine is turning over fine,.....what about the fuel pump?Is it priming the injectors,or does the bike smell of fuel?
What about the kill switch?
 
Last edited:
Keith B said:
Have'nt we been here before mate?Battery should be 13.5-14v fuly charged.Sounds like it could be on its way out,....and yep,I think your short journeys are killing the battery.
You say the engine is turning over fine,.....what about the fuel pump?Is it priming the injectors,or does the bike smell of fuel?
What about the kill switch?
Click to expand...

I'm with Keith on this one Battery should be way ubove 12 v off load, before you try to start the T, short journeys kill batteries as you can never put the capacity back in that you took out of the battery starting it. BTW on my CB1300 it took me 10 mins to work out some toe rag had hit my kill switch & not that the bike was dead..
 
STIX min, if awe ye are doin is very short journeys there will be nae chance fur the battery tae get recharged back up tae full strength. It taks a fair auld wallop tae turn ower a V twin properly and fire her up thus drainin it doon a wee bitty each time. So every time ye dae it it will be that wee bit less each time. Plus wi them running wi lights on, alarms etc it adds tae the issue.
It needs a good few miles tae replace the sparky stuff.
 
It was fine all last year with the same short journeys. Bike normally no probs starting as long as over 11v.

So do you think if I change to new better battery it'll solve problem?

Cranks over quickly, primes first yes just not a hint of firing. V annoying!

Oh and if the kill switch is on it won't crank the engine at all - checked that a few times!
 
if its crankin over quick enough, then it aint the battery is it?



"All I did was washed it"

i think the answer may lie here ..
 
So what could I have changed/done by washing it??

Got something wet!?

V pissed off/frustrated today.

Been really enjoying 1st week riding to work again. Washed bike even tho it wasn't even that dirty & this happens.

Arse!!!!
 
If it won't start tomorrow going to buy the uprated Motobatt & hopefully that'll do it.

To say I'm pissed off tho is a huge understatement. ARSE!!
 
Baffled. Started just now first prod as if it couldn't wait to fire - :confused

Anyway I'm a lot happier now than I was all flipping day yesterday.

So my conclusion is that I should never wash the bike and expect it to start the same day :banghead

Still only 11.8V fully charged though so I guess a new battery is imminent.
 
try jump leads first might not be the bat, might have got the air filter wet through the air intake
 
If I did get the air filter wet then that would stop it starting? Did give the bike a damn good hosing yesterday I must admit.

As I said above the battery was fine yesteday - really giving it a good cranking so to speak so I didn't think the battery was the problem.
 
Cheers. However I'm hoping it'll be ok as apart from yesterday when it's fully charged starts first time.

As people have said though my short journeys are not helping the battery so I'll keep a close eye on it.
 
yep got one of those batteries after much wailing, soldering and gnashing of teeth... they work well. Not used it in over a week and starts no problems. also has 4 terminals so wiring in heated grips or whatever is a doddle, and it is a lovely eye-bleeding yellow
 
Soldering? I take it then it doesn't slot straight in?
 
STiX said:
Soldering? I take it then it doesn't slot straight in?
Click to expand...

sorry, my bad. i went through the whole ritgmarole of checking everything - wiring from reg - rec (turned out it wasnt as good as it should have been), changing the starter solenoid before finally deciding the battery was shagged.

so in answer to the question. it slots straight in... you will need something to use a spacer and a longer bolt for the battery clamp.
 

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