Battery died

[dgc67]

Went for a short ride yesterday with my Bro-n-law on his Hardley and after make a short stop (15 min or so) the bike would not start.  It would try to turn over.  About 2 hours later it started up but was sputtering just off idle.  Put a quick "dummy" tester on it that showed the battery was low and that my electrical was throwing a charge.

Embarrassing that this happened while riding with a porker.  Of course, he had the tester in his bag because he just had stator issues recently.  Nice day to ride.  We got to our destination and he commented on how well my V45 seemed to corner/handle curves.  Every sweeping turn he would slow down about 10 miles an hour and I would speed up that much.  LOL!  Especially once I realized he could not hang on the turns. 
I think it was more his lack of confidence, although he does not have much ground clearance.

[hootmon]

At least you don't feel the need to carry testers around with you..
Any Motorcycle is a mechanical device designed and built by man as is bound to have issues from time to time. It just seems way less often with a Jap bike..
Remember Japan is a tiny island nation, yet it took not one, but two atomic bombs to stop them.. They are pretty good with technology..

[Indonlire]

I recently had battery issues also.  Went on a 205 mile ride - had no problems keeping uup with all the Harleys and the next day - go to ride to work and deader than a doornail!  Letting it sit on the charger overnight re-charged the battery - and it's a new battery - 6 months old.  Replaced it when I replaced my regulator/rectifier. 

Fiddle de de - it's too cold for me to ride - I'll think about it tomorrow.

[dgc67]

My battery is not much over 6 months old either.  Got it from Wal-mart, which according to this forum was a mistake.  Looks like that might be right.  We have had a shot of cold weather also lately, like in the 40's, and I have not ridden as much.  Likely both things contributed to my problem.
Yours concerns me that it took a charge from your trickle charger but not from the bike.  I have not tried the trickle charger, just figured I will buy a new battery so as not to have to worry when riding.  I wont be going to Wal-mart.  Wish I could find my receipt, cuz I know that battery is less than a year old.

[lragan]

If you paid with a credit card, you may not need a receipt.  You should be in their computer.

[MarylandMagnav45]

My battery is not much over 6 months old either.  Got it from Wal-mart, which according to this forum was a mistake.  Looks like that might be right.  We have had a shot of cold weather also lately, like in the 40's, and I have not ridden as much.  Likely both things contributed to my problem.
Yours concerns me that it took a charge from your trickle charger but not from the bike.  I have not tried the trickle charger, just figured I will buy a new battery so as not to have to worry when riding.  I wont be going to Wal-mart.  Wish I could find my receipt, cuz I know that battery is less than a year old.

Interstate batteries are rated the best.  However, they are pricey.

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/

[hootmon]

Interstate batteries are rated the best.  However, they are pricy.
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/

When I got mine from interstate the guy told me they were re-branded Yuasa batteries, which are quality batteries.. He could have been lying, but I asked him because I know they build batteries here in Tampa and wondered if they were built here or not.

[dgc67]

If you paid with a credit card, you may not need a receipt.  You should be in their computer.

I did use my debit card for sure.  thanks for the advice!!

[TLRam1]

I believe Exide owns Yuasa USA. There are 2-3 mfg who make the majority of all aftermarket batteries under different labels, Johnson Controls handles over 50 percent of this market.

I presume each label can specify how there battery is made but the old Yuasa of Japan Batteries in the USA are probably no longer shipped here.

I guess this post is a waste of everyones time as I did not say a darn thing!     

[hootmon]

It provided valuable knowledge Terry.
For what, I have no Idea, but it will come in handy one day, I just know it!!! 

[SkyRide]

My 83 did something similar; ran it a couple hundred miles then parked it overnight.  Wouldn't crank the next morning.   I found that when I touched the 30 amp master fuse it crumbled.  I repalced the fuse and it has been fine for the last eight months.  The fuse is not in the cranking circuit, but it is in the chaging path.  The fuse only provides power to accessories when the engine is stopped and protects the battery from overchage.  With the engine runnning, the alternator provides all the power.  My assumption is that my fuse was intermittent or high enough resistance that I wasn't charging well.

Rick F

[dgc67]

Interesting.  I will have to check into that.

[dgc67]

OK, I rode last night for the first time since I bought the new battery.  I charged it all night on a trickle charger before installing it, but just have not been able to ride since then.  When I got to my destination and tried to restart the bike it would almost turn over.  Had to push start it.
Think this is just do to it sitting without having been ridden?  Oh, one other thing.  When I first charged it I had it set on 6v and went in and had dinner, yada yada.  When I came back out, longer than I planned, it was pretty warm, not hot, and some acid had come out the overflow.  could I have damaged it??  I am thinking I might just go and exchange it just in case.

[lragan]

  When I first charged it I had it set on 6v and went in and had dinner, yada yada.  When I came back out, longer than I planned, it was pretty warm, not hot, and some acid had come out the overflow.  could I have damaged it??  I am thinking I might just go and exchange it just in case.

The fact that it got warm with the 6v setting speaks to the way your battery charger works.  In order for the battery to be warm, current has to flow in it, either to or fro.  Sooooo, this tells me that you were removing charge from the battery during this period.  If it got hot, I would change it out.  Just my 2cents.

[dgc67]

Interesting...  My charger is a "hand me down" and has seemed to work fine.  It does not get used often.  I just thought the initial charging heated up.  Regardless, I think your right and just wanted someone to comfirm it I guess, I need to go ahead and exchange it while I can easily.
Thanks and Merry Christmas!!