Magically disappearing electricity

So the issue that my bike won't idle is another story....LOL


Now I can't get it to start -- bowls filled up, spark plugs are wet, so gas isn't the issue, spark is. The coils may have an issue but I don't know how to check em yet.

The battery has been pretty much dead this whole time I've been diagnosing the carbs, so every time I need try try and start the bike, I've been getting jumped from my brother's. But today, even with jumper cables, the starter motor got slower and slower and slower...to where it wouldn't turn. Even when jumped with another running bike!

So after he turns his off and we chill for a few to let my bike cool, he decides he's going to go on a ride. But he goes out there...and his bike is dead.

Any ideas why my starter is struggling to turn even when jumped, and why it might have sucked the juice from the jumper bike? My original thought was the battery, but that shouldn't matter when it's being jumped. I have a plethora of confusions. This is probably going to lead me to why I can't idle -- there's a major electrical malfunction somewhere.

 

maybe the worst thing you can do to a battery is let it set dead
if you can hear the starter slowing down, forget it your down to 6 or 8 volts
your brothers battery was trying to charge your battery and start your bike, no wonder it went dead
you guys need a 1 or 2 amp charger left on over night and make sure you got water in there before you charge them

 

That's helpful, thanks. Do you recommend a particular charger? I'm hovering over the purchase button on one but I'd rather be sure the one I'm getting isn't shiza.

 

just so it's 1 or 2 amps, let your wallet be your guide

 

a battery maintainer or float charger would be better. then you can let the charger sit on the battery without overcharging. most chargers don't have automatic shutoffs when the battery hits full charge.

 

I have a Dears Sie Hard charger in the shop with an auto function that does charge at 2 amps, shuts of when the battery is fully charged (12.8V). There are low cost 2 amp chargers and maintainers at Auto Zone that looked decent, Schumacher brand. A fully charged battery will make diagnosing your starting problem much easier, just watch your starter limits.

 

Yea I was looking at a 2 amp Schumacher charger that has auto shut off. I don't need any exploding batteries in my garage lol.

Water in my battery is probably an issue too like Polock was saying, I need to check that as well.

 

Stsrters do go bad, maybe its time for a rebuild. Once you get the battery situation squared away start checking the main battery wires to the starter and solenoid. Don't forget to check the ground wires also. How is the condition of the fuse panel? They are the source of many electrical gremlins.

 

Just a couple items to think about.

Make sure that the water you add to your battery is distilled water. Runs about a buck a gallon at your local grocery store.

As the battery voltage drops the current draw increases. If your battery voltage is 12V and your starter draws 50 Amps the current draw will be 100 Amps at 6V. Once the starter begins to slow down STOP CRANKING!! You run a very real risk of burning up the windings in your starter as well as supply wires as the voltage drops.

Sooo....... If your battery has puked and wont hold a charge get a new one.

BTW I use a Battery Tender Plus. Here is just one of a million Google hits.

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.c ... NA&sc=3364

Bon chance my friend!

Loren