Battery Question

[88bmwJeff]

So, my battery's about 3.5 years old and I'm getting ready to head to the Beemer Bash in Quincy, CA. Should I replace it? Wait, there's more. The charging system was not working properly during the first year I had the battery. Also, when I press the starter button there's a second lapse before the bike turns over. I had this right before I changed the battery the last time, and it went away with the new battery. So what do you guys think? Play it safe or wait for the battery to fail me?

[47512]

Three years is about my limit for motorcycle batteries. You may also have a worn starter solonoid.

Ken G.

[ecyarter]

A delay in cranking may indicate worn brushes or bearings in the starter or weak brush springs, as well as bad contacts in the solenoid. I would buy the battery first, because it's old and easy to replace. If the delay remains, check the starter/solenoid.

[pswanson]

Looks from the picture you've got one year older bike than mine. I vote for your solenoid. Brushes etc. wouldn't give you a consistent pause. Picture a sticky solenoid taking some time to be convinced to slide into place to provide the electrical contact to turn your starter. Have that looked at right away -- if your starter hasn't been rebuilt / replaced, and it's a lucas it's not a far cry to assume at some point the magnets inside will detach from the body. Also, a poorly functioning starter will draw a lot more power putting a greater strain on your battery. Might be a relay -- just guessing there.

I put an Odyssey PC680 in my '89 a few years back. Wonderful. It uses GEL technology and can withstand freezing temperatures and running down. It charges best with an intelligent charger, regular charger is ok -- might not give you 100% until you get on the road, whereas a smart charger will. It takes LESS voltage to top up, which makes it ideal for the system which doesn't produce charging voltage until > 2000 RPMs i.e. tooling around town.

I'd recommend it before going out. Definitely look into that delay.

Paul

[88bmwJeff]

Looks from the picture you've got one year older bike than mine. I vote for your solenoid. Brushes etc. wouldn't give you a consistent pause. Picture a sticky solenoid taking some time to be convinced to slide into place to provide the electrical contact to turn your starter. Have that looked at right away -- if your starter hasn't been rebuilt / replaced, and it's a lucas it's not a far cry to assume at some point the magnets inside will detach from the body. Also, a poorly functioning starter will draw a lot more power putting a greater strain on your battery. Might be a relay -- just guessing there.

Paul


Lucky for me I have a Bosch starter, so no worries about magnets. The starter rebuild is one of my winter projects. Anyway, I purchased a new battery and the bike starts better now, but that doesn't mean the starter doesn't need attention.

[kgadley01]

If you ride alot, and put the Battery on a trickle charger when it sits awhile, I would take the trip and not worry about it. you didn't say what kind of Battery it was. I have a Gel Battery thats been in my bike for 4 1/2 years.

[osbornk]

The AGM battery (Wesco) has been in my airhead for 7 years and it still works fine. My 03 CLC is still on the original battery and it works fine. If the battery was kept charged and in moderate temperatures (garage, etc), it will be fine. I've gotten many years from all batteries I have had in BMWs. The old Hondas of the 70s needed a new battery annually and they still wouldn't crank long (the batteries were small)

[snoobar]

I have a Gel Battery installed on my 1983 R80 RT and its been doing great now for about 31/2 years. when i dont use the bike or is in storage, i got it on a trickle charger.

[PGlaves]

So, my battery's about 3.5 years old and I'm getting ready to head to the Beemer Bash in Quincy, CA. Should I replace it? Wait, there's more. The charging system was not working properly during the first year I had the battery. Also, when I press the starter button there's a second lapse before the bike turns over. I had this right before I changed the battery the last time, and it went away with the new battery. So what do you guys think? Play it safe or wait for the battery to fail me?

Fully charge the battery. Say 12 hours at 1 to 2 amps, or until the fully charged light comes on on a Battery Tender type automatic charger.

Let it sit for 2 hours - read the voltage. A new battery will read approximately 12.7 volts here. A well used one might read more like 12.2 to 12.3 volts.

Let it sit for 24 hours - read the voltage. The reading here ought to be within .1 volt of your first reading. If it is dropping faster than that read it again in 24 hours. That will tell the tale. If it keeps dropping, or gets down to a standing voltage of 12.1 or so with no load the battery will let you down one of these days.

You can also tell a lot by how far it drops, key on with engine not running. And the killer - what does it drop to cranking.

Hard numbers here are hard to cite because loads vary, but when you see than 8v or 9v craqnking you can pretty well assume it's toast time.