WOOT! Jumped (defrosted) dead battery - Time for new one...

I put bike into storage early December but left radio/amp powered. The battery was soon dead and too cold to mess with. (Was planning frequent starts and short ride w/o tender or battery removal).

After a few minutes of jumping and a few full choke cranks it fired up. It died putting into gear. More jumping and longer high rev warming up (for charging).

Luckily I made it home safe (1.5 miles and 3 lights) with low air pressure. Bike died as soon as I stopped in my drive way.

It on the tender and awaiting early spring tuning, tinkering and updating. And maybe a few rides to work next week.

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

If the battery ran completely dead, it may have froze and cracked the case. You may want to give it a close inspection just incase. Leaking acid can really mess things up.

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

+1
Even if it's intact check the electrolyte level. Could have a dry cell or more.
If it is low fill it only to the "LOW" level indicated on the side of the battery as this will expand with charging and a too full battery will cause the acid to come out the overflow. If that happens when it's still in the bike then you will have more problems.
The best place is inside and above freezing in a well ventilated area and a slow charge.
For a deeper understanding on battery maintenance I Googled it and found this very informative link:
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/batt ... nance/777/
Good luck and let us know how things turn out.


Graham

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

you murdered your battery, once the charge is gone the acid starts to work on the lead and makes a coating of lead sulfate on the lead plates, the acid can't get to the lead anymore to make electricity.
charging can't break down the sulfate so it's like having a smaller battery, less plate surface area, the tender charges it like a smaller battery. it may still read 12 volts but the Ah capacity is way down.
if the sulfates start flaking off and settle to the bottom you get a 10 volt battery

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

Yep.

Don't even bother charging it. Like Mr. P said, even if it charges it's gonna be useless.

Plus if it was dead, it froze; so the cracked case is also a good possibility.

New batteries, good ones, are still under $50.

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

A new battery was on my mental shopping list for this season ...

My current one is a maintenance free style.

Tips on where to get new ones?
Sears, Walmart, farm fleet store, internet?

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

Good deals can be found on the internet, but when you take into account that you have to wait and (possibly) pay for shipping, delivery etc. plus the fact that even a "brand new in the box" battery can be defective....I'd stay local.
That way, if you ever do have a problem then you can just go to the store and raise hell (if needed) otherwise you may have to wait for the internet seller to issue a RSA (?) ship it back, have a new one shipped, that's if they don't determine that you caused the battery defect and ask you to buy another.
Yeh, stay local and put money in to your area, never know it might save a job.
My 2 cents.

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

Pulled my battery (easier than I thought). It's an interstate faytx14 AGM type battery.

I'm trying to search the net (of local stores) before I go run around at 5 stores w/o any luck

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

If you want another AGM battery, autozone sells a decent amount of them. I have one from there in my honda and its been great. It was about 70 bucks but worth it to me.

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

I found that my parts bike (and a spare ancient battery) are 14L-A2 style. Sears sells these locally (have gift card remains and $10 emailed coupon code) BUT they are NOT maintenance free and I'd have to add the acid myself an everything.

I've never had a non-maintenance battery and don't think the savings is worth the hassle...

I may just visit Sears and see if they have any agm motorcycle batteries that will fit... (to use the gift card at least).

I always found autozone over priced (by ALOT) on everything and their web site search sucks if you can't match up you car/bike (which we can't).

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

Apparently ready to use (I don't have to mess with the acid) AGM batteries are in the $100 range (at autozone and MSRP for interstate batteries).

I'll check my local Interstate store tomorrow...

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

http://www.atbatt.com/product/24808.asp
go for it guy, you did 21st century lights, might as well do a modern battery

 

Re: Woot! Jumped dead battery and bike is out of storage

I did come across that today while googling... and they are having a "weekend" special sale price... tempting...

 

For some reason (availablity??) some P.O. put in an "A" polarity battery on my bike (Positive towards the back tire and neg towards the front tire).

It thought this was normal until I bought my parts bike with a standard 14L-A2 style battery (opposite polarity positions).

Since I have the appropriate wiring for either setup, I guess picking which polarity depends on availability and price...

I might just buy that LI-iron battery Polock... HMMMM...