Need opinion, bad battery?

[bikerpop33]

Some background first.

 

I have a 99 Venture. Early last year I was having charging issues and ended up putting in a new stator (buckeye), new stock rectifier, and new battery. Had no issue the rest of the year. The bike was stored under a porch this winter, so it was exposed to New England cold all winter. I didn't have a way to hook up my battery tender so the battery did unfortunately drain dead. I charged it with my trickle charger until it was full a few weeks ago. I've only ridden the bike half a dozen times this year.

 

The problem I'm having has happened to me twice now within the past few weeks, and it happened after the bike sat for 4 or 5 days. When I turn the igition into the on position I can see my trip odometer and it is where it last was and the clock is set correct. When I start the bike it seems the electricity is lost to the dash and my clock and trip odometer reset. I assume my stations all reset too.

 

Did a voltage test.

 

Bike off - 12.6

Ignition on - still roughly 12.6

While starting - drops to 9.7

With throttle - 13.8

 

So it appears to me that maybe I have a dead cell. I'm just not positive if that voltage drop is too much while starting the bike. My connections at the battery seem good. Is there something else I should check or should I just go get a new battery?

[Guest]

Take your battery out and have it load tested. Sounds like you could have dropped a cell. What brand battery are you running and is there still a warranty on the battery?

[Freebird]

It won't help you this time but in the future, I recommend that you remove the battery and store it somewhere warm in the house. Once batteries go dead, they will freeze and then are pretty much shot.

[bongobobny]

Yah! Sounds like it looses it's charge level under load! Auto Zone should be able to load test it for you. If you need a new one see Skydoc17 for a good deal on a DEKA high output battery for the RSV...

[bikerpop33]

Thanks for the quick answers! I figured it was going to be the battery but just thought I'd check to see if maybe there was a common issue that I was missing. I'll definitely take the battery indoors next winter. I'll have the battery checked tomorrow after work.

 

I believe it is an Everstart battery. I'm not sure how long the warranty was for on it, but it's been a bit over a year. I know they are cheap batteries.

 

Thanks again.

[gibvel]

When my battery was going bad it did exactly the same thing. When you go to start the bike it clears the trip meter and sets it back to the total mileage.

[twigg]

Thanks for the quick answers! I figured it was going to be the battery but just thought I'd check to see if maybe there was a common issue that I was missing. I'll definitely take the battery indoors next winter. I'll have the battery checked tomorrow after work.

 

I believe it is an Everstart battery. I'm not sure how long the warranty was for on it, but it's been a bit over a year. I know they are cheap batteries.

 

Thanks again.

 

They are the Walmart brand, and there is little wrong with them for a basic lead/acid battery at a good price.

 

As was said above ... leaving it out to freeze was probably the cause of it failing.

[GaryZ]

Some background first.

 

I have a 99 Venture. Early last year I was having charging issues and ended up putting in a new stator (buckeye), new stock rectifier, and new battery. Had no issue the rest of the year. The bike was stored under a porch this winter, so it was exposed to New England cold all winter. I didn't have a way to hook up my battery tender so the battery did unfortunately drain dead. I charged it with my trickle charger until it was full a few weeks ago. I've only ridden the bike half a dozen times this year.

 

The problem I'm having has happened to me twice now within the past few weeks, and it happened after the bike sat for 4 or 5 days. When I turn the igition into the on position I can see my trip odometer and it is where it last was and the clock is set correct. When I start the bike it seems the electricity is lost to the dash and my clock and trip odometer reset. I assume my stations all reset too.

 

Did a voltage test.

 

Bike off - 12.6

Ignition on - still roughly 12.6

While starting - drops to 9.7

With throttle - 13.8

 

So it appears to me that maybe I have a dead cell. I'm just not positive if that voltage drop is too much while starting the bike. My connections at the battery seem good. Is there something else I should check or should I just go get a new battery?

 

Battery voltage is good @12.6V

loaded voltage above 9V = good

alternator @ 13.8V = a little low, within tolerance

 

I would suggest cleaning an/or tightening the battery terminals.

The description is classic poor contact. Press the start button and lights dim with no starter rotation.

All the time would likely be a dirty connection. Intermittent is usually a loose connection.

[bikerpop33]

Well it was the battery after all. Replaced it with a Magna Power battery from Advance Auto. Next winter I'll be sure to take it inside.

 

Thanks again for the help.