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Is my battery toast?

2.6K views 15 replies 8 participants last post by  FIRE UP  
#1 ·
Gang,
About 3 or so years ago, I purchased an '07 T-dub with 587 miles on it. Long story short, it was in very sad shape when we picked it up. It needed a ton of work. One of the items it needed was a new battery. So, I bought the one that belongs in it. And, added acid as it came without any. Well, that was around 3 years ago. I don't ride the bike every single day, only a couple times a month, due to the fact that I two other bikes I ride. But, I went out to ride it this morning early and, NO START.

Hmmmm, I keep a Harbor Freight automatic 4-amp, smart battery charger on it. It always shows GREEN and in the float stage. The last time I rode it, I rode it many days in a row, up in the Durango. It started every time I wanted it to. Skip forward about a month and, this morning, no start. I push it out of the garage and, turn the key on and coast it down the drive way and pop the clutch in 3rd. It fires right up and runs like it always does, like a top.

I ride it for about 20 minutes at various speeds. I shut it off at the top of a street and, nope, no start. Hmmm. I thought it might be corroded terminals. But, when I got it back and yanked the battery out, it was completely dry of water, CRAP!

Sooooo, since I had left over acid from the first time I filled it, I just re-filled it with that acid, all the way to the full line. Now, it's been on charge with that HF smart charger for about 8-9 hours at this time, 9:15 in the evening. The charger is, and has been for a good 5 or more hours, 14.3V. The temp of the batt has been around, 104 degrees. The battery is not boiling due to too high of a rate of charging.

When this type of charger is first placed on any of my vehicles/battery, it first goes to a high rate then, it simmers down to a float stage, which is normal. The screen is red when first applied and, when it's in a float stage, the screen turns green. As of this time, 9:40 P.M. it's still RED and 14.4V are being applied. Normally, if the battery or batteries ( I have two in the boat), are not topped off, it will take anywhere from 2 hours, up to 8-16 to turn from RED to GREEN and, drop to around 13.4 or 13.5V.

So, I'll see what things look like in the morning. But, my question to you experienced battery folks is, by having that battery drain itself of all liquid, down to the bottom, would simply adding new acid and recharging it do any good? Yeah, I know, it's not a big expense if I have to toss that battery. About $48 or so, three years ago when I bought it. It's probably useless to add the acid and charge it for almost 24 hours but, I figured I'd give it the old college try. Opinions?
Scott
 
#2 ·
I'd get a new one, that's really hard on a battery. Get a sealed maintenance free one this time. Check the voltage regulator afterwards to make sure it's ok also.
 
#3 · (Edited)
It could be very well done. Had nearly the same experience just 2 weeks ago with my '09. Bought bike just over 3 years ago and bought a new lead acid battery. It sat for a few months at a time those first 2 years, sometimes on a battery tender, but not often enough, but when I rode I pretty much rode 200+ miles every time. Believe I'd top off the battery twice with distilled water over 2 1/2 years.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago I rode one day for about 40 miles. Next day....nothing! Like you push started it, and rode about 30 miles, turned it off to retry with the electric start. Nothing yet again. Had just listed for sale, so rode straight to Auto Zone and had it tested. Done! They didn't have a battery for it, so off to Batteries Plus for a replacement.

And, I'm in Florida, so good year round temps have little effect on a battery if sitting for periods of time.
 
#4 ·
Get yourself a fancy lithium battery, Scott! Then you'll never have to plug the TW into anything ever again.
 
#5 ·
Hey Gang,
I most certainly appreciate the feedback. I went out and checked the battery charger this morning and, IT'S GREEN! And the battery is sitting presently, at 13.5V. I'll throw it in the bike just for grins and see how it performs. But, I'll more than likely get a new one. I don't know if I'd pop for a Lithium or even a Gel Cell though. I think if I'd be a bit more conciencious about dilligent maintenance, a regular wet cell would last me quite a bit longer. I've been a wrencher my whole 60+ year life. I should know better than to just "set it and forget it" type thought process. But, we'll see how well it does in starting the bike later today, if it starts the bike at all. Stay tuned.
Scott
 
#6 ·
With the lead acid battery you would be much
Better leaving it hooked up to a small battery tender
Then a larger smart charger...
Remember every time you drop the bike you risk losing acid...
( If you don't ever drop the bike your not riding it proper )
At 3 yrs old I would start with a new battery...
If it's another wet cell battery just watch that fluid level...
I find cheap acid batteries often don't last more then 3 or 4 years
No matter what you do ...
mike from NC
 
#7 ·
Personally I would use the tiniest maintainer charger you can find. I think mine is 1 amp.
 
#10 ·
Yup!,, 1- amp battery tender is what you need , too many amps causes it to buckle the plates internally in battery , damaging surface of plates , if you look at the battery external casing and you can see that the case has bulge marks or a rib effect it means it has been getting to hot causing distortion due to overcharging ! Either from bike charge system or external source
 
#8 ·
@FIRE UP Free Shipping, AGM, a bit smaller in physical size but plenty of cranking amps. I just put a piece of styrofoam on one end and along one side.


Marty
 
#11 ·
Upgraded mine to this from standard , had no issues so far and it’s 2+ yrs old now, with not much use , I replaced my old optimate battery bike tender to a newer version , and hook it up every 2- weeks regardless?
I personally don’t like leaving them switched on all the time , as I have had similar issues with it saying it’s ok when really it’s damaged the battery , other forum members I’m sure can chime in on this
 
#9 ·
Hey Marty,
I surely appreciate the link on that battery. After I'd rejuvenated my present wet cell battery for the Dub, I charged it and placed it in the bike. It started the bike just fine, albeit a tad bit of cranking before it lit off. But, if this rejuvenated battery hiccups in even the slightest amount, I think I just might take your advice and cruise on over to that link again and pick one up.
Scott
 
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#15 ·
Let me get this straight

Having bled the battery dry, you then re-filled it with another acid mix – theoretically thereby doubling the acid content, bearing in mind that only the water was “boiled” off

Having thus (potentially) doubled the acid content, you are now asking “Is my battery toast”

Funny you should mention the possibility, lol ……..
 
#16 ·
Well,
Not being a Chemist, and not really knowing all the details of what happens when a battery looses all its water/acid, I just figured what the heck, I have some acid left over so, why not? So far, nothing's gone up in flames. My garage and house are still intact. And, I took off on the Dub yesterday morning at about 05:30 and it fired right up and ran like a top. I got gas and rode it for about an hour straight. I would stop every now and then and check its starting capability. Each time, it fired right up. I checked the output of the dubs charging system and it, at that time, was right at 13.5V. So, it appears the battery is accepting a charge from the dubs system.
Scott
 
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