SV650s Battery help

[SoulRider]

Hi,

Well ive recenetly replaced my battery for my sv as on slightly cold days it would strugle to start and if it wasnt used for over 24 hours it would strugle to start sometimes not starting at all. Everytime i charged the battery it started fine but as it kept doing this was becoming unreliable so brought a new battery and fitted it. Been starting with no problems at all the last 2 weeks or so, even when i couldnt use it one day and even on cold days.

However this morning it refused to start and i was wondering if it was due to the cold (as it dropped well below freezing last night) or if its down to something else? power comes on fine but when i went to start it, it sounded like it was allmost going to do it first but then it just became less likely to start and could tell the battery was strugaling. Anyway im hoping its justs the cold and the battery will need quick charge and a decent run tonight but if it is something else i would rather sort it out sooner than later.

Cheers
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[finpos]

Batteries have a pretty hard time of it in the cold, it's true. But that's accounted for when the battery is specified - i.e. the correct battery in good condition is supposed to be able to start a very cold bike after being sat for a few days.

Your battery is brand new so should be at it's absolute best. They deteriorate over 2-3 years. So possibly you have another problem:

1. Not the right battery (correct size but wrong rating)
2. Cheap battery (it's just crap)
3. Too many lights/accessories on the bike plus short, slow trips not allowing the battery to charge properly.
4. Bike's charging system not working right

finpos.

[SoulRider]

it is a new battery and the right one for the model. ive got an alarm/imobaliser with flashing led but i turn that of when in the garage at times and i did last night but my journey to work is a 25 min walk, just over a mile so probably why it doesnt work plus in heavy traffic usually so yeah kinda slow.

If i use it for a long ride it starts with no problems the following day but cant say what its like over a few days as it usually in regular use. Is there any sure way of telling if its the charging system?
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[Finglonga]

Get a test meter on the battery, on tickover there should be at least 13volts being put into the battery. As Finpos said batteries don't like the cold. Especially lead acid ones, If possable with an alarm fitted its always worth getting an uprated battery so it will cope better.

I fitted a Hawker Oddysey (Glass mat type) battery to my bike, its worth its weight in gold. My bike started no problems today, the cold didn't slow it at all.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[SoulRider]

cash i dont have to spend im affraid, how much is one of those uprated batteries going to set me back, cost me £53 for my latest one.
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[G]

Sounds like your reg/rec may be on the way out.

Similar happened when mine was - it was actually over-charging the battery, which was knackering it.

[SoulRider]

[Finglonga]

[G]

Regulator / Rectifier.

Basically it should take the varying voltage output from the 'generator' of your engine and outputs a fairly constant voltage.

Mine, I believe, was outputting far too high a voltage.

[Marci]

[SoulRider]

i cant turn my lights of

Out of interrest how much is one of these test meters and would it matter where i test it?

Cheers for the help peeps
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[finpos]

You can get a multimeter for less than 5 quid now. Look in maplins, or even a 99p shop:)

You can test anywhere on the bike that you can get at a decent 12V supply, on the battery or starter relay - whatever is easiest.

finpos.