battery question
08-24-2006 | 05:47 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Squid
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16
battery question
I noticed my battery getting weak. It barely turned the motor over this morning on the way to work. 
I pulled it out when I got home and noticed it is an everstart. I didn't find a date on it. Was just wondering how long a typical battery like this will last? I'm not sure when this one was put in from the original owner.
One other note, it was sizzling hot
when I took it out.
I pulled it out when I got home and noticed it is an everstart. I didn't find a date on it. Was just wondering how long a typical battery like this will last? I'm not sure when this one was put in from the original owner.One other note, it was sizzling hot
when I took it out.
08-24-2006 | 05:58 PM
#2
Senior Member
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 208
From: East Tennessee
If you're lucky you'll get 5yrs. If you think it's the bat and not a bad cable connection (that includes the ground connection) then just replace it ...
If it was boiling over you likely have a regulator issue. Look carefully at the connections on the RR, clean them as best you can but it sounds like you'll be needing to replace it at the same time...
If it was boiling over you likely have a regulator issue. Look carefully at the connections on the RR, clean them as best you can but it sounds like you'll be needing to replace it at the same time...
08-25-2006 | 07:50 AM
#3
El Cheapo
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 202
From: NW of Philly.
If the battery was sizzlin' hot to the touch, you might want to check up on your regulartor/rectifier if they are functioning properly.
I had fried the ECU along with the battery due to malfunctioning reg/rec on my CB-1 a while ago..
I had fried the ECU along with the battery due to malfunctioning reg/rec on my CB-1 a while ago..
08-25-2006 | 07:58 AM
#4
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Squid
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Yeah, it was waaay too hot to touch. I had to get a rag to pull it out with. It almost look liked some of the label on the front of the battery had melted too, i don't know, maybe it had just rubbed off. It wasn't boiling over, but I could it hear it boiling/sizzling.
So I've noticed at night when I'm driving that my headlight will occasionally get extremely bright when it's on dim. If it's on bright, it will get super bright. It does this for maybe 10 seconds and then it seems to go back to normal. Is this a sign of a bad R/R? I might go ahead and replace it since I have the battery out. I sure don't want to fry my ECU.
BTW, it's a '98.
Thanks for the input.
So I've noticed at night when I'm driving that my headlight will occasionally get extremely bright when it's on dim. If it's on bright, it will get super bright. It does this for maybe 10 seconds and then it seems to go back to normal. Is this a sign of a bad R/R? I might go ahead and replace it since I have the battery out. I sure don't want to fry my ECU.
BTW, it's a '98.
Thanks for the input.
08-25-2006 | 09:11 AM
#5
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
From: Olympia, WA
Really sounds like volt r/r. I agree with replace battery and volt r/r. Cheap investment or insurance for other things.
I would assume you have stock r/r. Lots written about upgrade. Mine died about a month ago. Luckly it was on low side and not high side.
Bought new one from Ricks on East cost. < $100 and it has cooling fins.
Good luck
I would assume you have stock r/r. Lots written about upgrade. Mine died about a month ago. Luckly it was on low side and not high side.
Bought new one from Ricks on East cost. < $100 and it has cooling fins.
Good luck
08-25-2006 | 09:35 AM
#6
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SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
If you do replace the r/r get one from an '02 or later with the cooling fins - the 98-01 are known to fail. One other suggestion is use one from another manufacturer, do a search and you will find info on this procedure.
08-25-2006 | 06:40 PM
#7
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Squid
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Thanks, I did find some info on the site. After I got home, I checked the voltage across the battery while it was out of the bike (13.5 V) and then I checked it in the bike (14.6 V). I also checked the terminal on the rectifier and it looked good. Didn't looked burned like one guys did. I'll take my chances for now.
Here are a couple of pics I took during the process.
Here are a couple of pics I took during the process.
08-26-2006 | 06:35 AM
#8
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 402
From: Florida
Originally Posted by v2n
Thanks, I did find some info on the site. After I got home, I checked the voltage across the battery while it was out of the bike (13.5 V) and then I checked it in the bike (14.6 V). I also checked the terminal on the rectifier and it looked good. Didn't looked burned like one guys did. I'll take my chances for now.
Here are a couple of pics I took during the process.
Here are a couple of pics I took during the process.
Here are two good articles I found on this subject.
http://www.vlc.com.au/~justin/about/.../dead_reg.html
http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/articles/battery.htm
Test the battery under load (lights, start button)
Maybe bad cell(s)
Good Luck.
08-26-2006 | 09:09 PM
#9
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,858
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Hummm, maybe I shouldn't say this but I'm still running the original battery in my '98. I'm also really lazy and let it run completely dead each winter (basically I do everything you're NOT supposed to do). A overnight trickle charge and everything is good again. It's my yearly ritual.
08-28-2006 | 06:58 AM
#10
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Get a battery tender. Attach the leads on to the battery then plug the quick connect plug when your not riding the bike. Disconnect the plug right before you go riding and your battery will always be at full charge, even during the cold months.
08-28-2006 | 02:10 PM
#11
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,858
From: Fort Wayne, IN
I don't bother with a tender. Mine stays charged enough to last a month or so. Most winters I get to ride that often so it's not an issue. Some times (like the past two winters) when it's sitting for 3 months it still just takes a small charge to get it going.
08-28-2006 | 06:06 PM
#12
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Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 63
From: Horley (Near Gatwick Airport) UK
Funny this should be posted now.
In the last few days my battery has suddenly stopped holding charge and unable to turn the engine over unless I charge it on a battery charger.
Took a look at my rectifier a couple of hours ago, and look a what I found......
Close up:
Anyone beat that
Methinks, it may be the problem.
Comments?
In the last few days my battery has suddenly stopped holding charge and unable to turn the engine over unless I charge it on a battery charger.
Took a look at my rectifier a couple of hours ago, and look a what I found......
Close up:
Anyone beat that
Methinks, it may be the problem.
Comments?
08-28-2006 | 06:49 PM
#13
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Originally Posted by Tempest
Funny this should be posted now.
In the last few days my battery has suddenly stopped holding charge and unable to turn the engine over unless I charge it on a battery charger.
Took a look at my rectifier a couple of hours ago, and look a what I found......
Close up:
Anyone beat that
Methinks, it may be the problem.
Comments?
In the last few days my battery has suddenly stopped holding charge and unable to turn the engine over unless I charge it on a battery charger.
Took a look at my rectifier a couple of hours ago, and look a what I found......
Close up:
Anyone beat that
Methinks, it may be the problem.
Comments?
I've been looking for a replacment R/R...To avoid your issue
Lots of choices, now I just need to win an auction.
08-29-2006 | 11:57 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16
Whoa, cool picture TX.
So I've read some of the other threads upon batteries and it looks like Deka, Westco and Yuasa are some of the more popular AGM batteries. My question: are these batteries sealed, ready to go out of the box? I bought an Everstart yesterday, but I don't like the idea of having to fill it myself with the electrolyte and charging. It seems susceptible to boil overs. What is the advantage of this? Other than longer shelf life in the store...
So I've read some of the other threads upon batteries and it looks like Deka, Westco and Yuasa are some of the more popular AGM batteries. My question: are these batteries sealed, ready to go out of the box? I bought an Everstart yesterday, but I don't like the idea of having to fill it myself with the electrolyte and charging. It seems susceptible to boil overs. What is the advantage of this? Other than longer shelf life in the store...
08-29-2006 | 01:25 PM
#16
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
AGM batteries or sealed lead acid batteries are completely sealed. You may want to put it on a trickle charge to make sure its fully charged but other than that they are ready to go right out of the box. Do some shopping around, I have seen varied prices on the same model battery when I was looking for a replacement for the shop jump and carry (booster pac) I don't recall the website I bought it through though...
08-29-2006 | 03:02 PM
#17
Señor Miembro, Ay Caramba
SuperSport
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 562
From: a little north of DC
Filling a new battery takes 1 minute, then 10-15 minutes of waiting, then another minute. After that, you charge it and your done. I didn't like the idea either. Then I did it, and now I realize how simple it was.
08-29-2006 | 03:29 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16
Not too worried about filling and charging it, I just don't want the thing dripping acid on my frame. There's a gray colored stain just in front of the back tire on my frame and pipe from some thing. I'm suspecting it may have been acid. That's the only reason I'm concerned about flooded batteries.
08-30-2006 | 06:38 AM
#19
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
I haven't seen an AGM battery leak but under extreme conditions (like overcharging by a bad r/r) anything is possible... usually you can mount them in any position without worry. I never liked the wet batteries but like Scooberhawk said its not that big of a deal to do it but watch for acid drips 
08-30-2006 | 08:40 AM
#21
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Posts: 208
From: East Tennessee
Originally Posted by v2n
I picked up an Xtreme AGM battery yesterday from Batteries Plus. Haven't installed it yet, but we'll see how it works. Hopefully my R/R will behave.
08-30-2006 | 01:26 PM
#23
Escape Reality
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 612
From: KANATA, KANADA
Just a somewhat unrelated question.
What kind of issue would placing a battery on its side when in the bike?...reason I am asking is that I am changing the whole set up of my bike and built the battery tray to fit but I would prefer to have it on its side for a more compact look. If this is an issue any one know of a battery with the same specs but just physically smaller?
What kind of issue would placing a battery on its side when in the bike?...reason I am asking is that I am changing the whole set up of my bike and built the battery tray to fit but I would prefer to have it on its side for a more compact look. If this is an issue any one know of a battery with the same specs but just physically smaller?
08-30-2006 | 07:29 PM
#27
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Posts: 226
From: Olympia, WA
My XR250L mounts the battery on its side. It is also a AGM battery.
Untill recently I had two VTRs. Both 1998s and both were using the original battery. This summer I replaced the battery in the streetfighter. Wow... 9 years. The stock VTR battery has been the longest lived motorcycle battery I have ever owned.
From Westco's website... "Should longer service life be expected from an AGM battery?
Yes.
- The main reason wet batteries fail is due to the fact that water levels are not properly monitored coupled with the fact that they are not very vibration resistant. AGM batteries do not have to be constantly maintained and are much more resistant to both heat and vibration, which is why they offer longer service life. "
I replaced it with a Westco (12V12-B) Battery from www.westcobattery.com. $63.81 including shipping and sales tax.
Untill recently I had two VTRs. Both 1998s and both were using the original battery. This summer I replaced the battery in the streetfighter. Wow... 9 years.
The stock VTR battery has been the longest lived motorcycle battery I have ever owned. From Westco's website... "Should longer service life be expected from an AGM battery?
Yes.
- The main reason wet batteries fail is due to the fact that water levels are not properly monitored coupled with the fact that they are not very vibration resistant. AGM batteries do not have to be constantly maintained and are much more resistant to both heat and vibration, which is why they offer longer service life. "
I replaced it with a Westco (12V12-B) Battery from www.westcobattery.com. $63.81 including shipping and sales tax.
09-02-2006 | 09:40 PM
#28
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 64
From: Raleigh NC
I had my wiring harness right at the plug fry
When I got my hawk the guy who had it told me it had a new battery but it still goes dead after riding for a few minuets. Well it turned out to be the three yellow stator wires coming into the regulator. I replaced the regulator and stator from my parts bike and spliced into the wire to fix where it was fried. simple fix and it gave me a great deal on my bike.
I've never been lucky enough for a battery to last more than 2 years on may of my bikes. maybe Im to ruff on them. or mabey its because I buy the cheap ones from batterys plus. What brand is your stock battery that got 5 years?
I've never been lucky enough for a battery to last more than 2 years on may of my bikes. maybe Im to ruff on them. or mabey its because I buy the cheap ones from batterys plus. What brand is your stock battery that got 5 years?
10-24-2006 | 02:15 PM
#30
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Squid
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16
It's been awhile since I've posted, but thought I'd share an update. After a few trips out on the bike with the new Xtreme battery from batteries plus, I pulled into the garage one night to an awful smell of rotten eggs (sulfuric gas). Turns out even the AGM battery was boiling over. It was dripping slightly and fried. Wouldn't even start the bike again.
Ordered an r/r from Mike's electronics ($95). Delivered in 4 days and Batteries plus even gave me a new battery under warranty, which I thought was nice because I told them I thought the bike had overcharged it. Everything seems to good with the new r/r and battery.
Ordered an r/r from Mike's electronics ($95). Delivered in 4 days and Batteries plus even gave me a new battery under warranty, which I thought was nice because I told them I thought the bike had overcharged it. Everything seems to good with the new r/r and battery.
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