Quick battery question

[paulr5604]

I bought a battery a few years ago so that I could start the bike and move it to the new house, it has been on an optimate charger since then it was disconnected from the charger since Friday so 4 days and I had been turning the ignition on for maybe a total of 20 mins while fitting new indicators to test them as I fitted them. Could it be that the battery is knackered or am I looking at a power drain issue. I will be disconnecting the negative lead tomorrow and connecting my meter set to amps between the negative lead and negative battery terminal to see if anything is drawing power with the ignition off.

[VladTepes]

I've had a battery on a charger/tender for 10 years or so. That's called blind optimism.
It'll work right?!

[gsxbarmy]

I've had a battery on a charger/tender for 10 years or so. That's called blind optimism.
It'll work right?!

The battery shouldn't drain inside 20 mins. It's possible its on the way out or you have a power drain issue.

If you do have to get a new one, try the Yuasa YTX14H-BS - this is the heavy duty version of the standard battery and gives better cranking and starting - £78 from Halfords
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-batteries/yuasa-ytx14h-bs-12v-high-performance-maintenance-free-vrla-battery-239829.html

[paulr5604]

Thank you both for your replies I will check tomorrow if there is a current draw or not if there isn't I will head to Halfords for the recommended battery

[Hooli]

Leave the battery disconnected. If it goes flat it's faulty, if not the problem is the bike.

[paulr5604]

Leave the battery disconnected. If it goes flat it's faulty, if not the problem is the bike.

Thanks @Hooli

[grog]

Buy a new battery Mate. Years old, it needs it regardless. If prob not solved after that, another story.

[paulr5604]

Just tested the battery after I disconnected the charger the voltage was 13.3v.
I started the bike and turned it off again checked the voltage it was 12.39v
While starting the bike it went down to 10.46v and then at idle it was showing 14.26v

I'm no expert but I think the charging system is okay as it is 14.26v

Am I right in thinking the battery is knackered.

[Hooli]

14.26v sounds good to me for the charging circuit. I'd be thinking dying battery too.

[paulr5604]

14.26v sounds good to me for the charging circuit. I'd be thinking dying battery too.

Thanks I will pick up a new battery and see how it goes

[gsxbarmy]

I agree with Hooli, charging level sounds right but sounds like battery has seen better days. I'd expect a fully charged "good" battery to be around the 12.8v at rest, if its dropping much below 12.5 then it's def seen better days.

Here's a quick way to test your battery

Using your voltmeter just check the voltage if it is under 12.5 volts,the battery will need some more charging.

Don't bother testing without a fully charged battery,you will get a false result!

12.5 to 12.8 is fully charged. If you just took it off the charger and it reads above 12.8 volts, let it sit 30 minutes or so to dissipate this "surface charge"

Connect the battery up to the bike, and connect the voltmeter to the battery. Turn the headlight on to high beam.The voltage should drop to just over 12 volts. Leave the headlight on for three minutes and monitor the voltmeter. It may drop to just under 12 volts,but it should stay above 11.5. If it goes below 11 volts at this point, and it was fully charged to begin with,it's junk. After 3 minutes turn off the headlight.

Now you are testing "recovery". After 2 minutes(no longer),reconnect the voltmeter. It should be back up to at least 12.5 volts.If not replace the battery.

While passing this test will not necessarily eliminate your battery as a cause of your problems, if it fails this test,you know it's bad,so there is no sense in going further until the battery is replaced.

[Mick_J]

Paul, if you are going to buy the battery from halfords get yourself a trade card 20% off batteries (I think), they are easy to get.  if you want a cheaper alternative I bought a Leock battery from taynar batteries for £37 delivered the next day and comes with a 2 year warranty.

[paulr5604]

Thanks everyone for the replies will do the test that @gsxbarmy has posted and if needed will order a new battery