Battery problem

[fazza59]

Hope someone might be able to help? My sons bike - Yamaha TZR50 has constantly on headlights which may not be a bad thing, however if he stops then gets back on his bike and turns the ignition on and doesn't start the bike within a minute the battery goes flat. I have checked to see if the battery is charging when it's running and Im getting 13.5 volts so all seems ok. Any suggestions as to what I can do, i.e. bypass the lights and and put on on off switch, buzzer to warn him? Or could it just be that the battery has seen its best and its time for a new battery? By the way the bike is only 18 month old.

Thanks
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Current - Yamaha R1 - Yamaha XJ600N - Kawasaki GPZ 500S (project? Maybe )
Pics of my bikes

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would expect a half decent battery to cope with that, but being a 50 the battery is not likely to be that strong when new. If he has flattened it a few times leaving the lights on for ages before trying to start it then that will damage the battery.

For the cost of a new battery I would be tempted to fit one.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Walloper]

Battery test.

SAFETY
Do this in a well ventilated place.
Blow across the battery to clear away any build up hydrogen gas.

If it is a wet battery and you can get to the cells through the vents/caps, then hold a probe on the + or - post and dip the other in the electrolyte/acid/liquid.
You should read about 2 Volts for each cell starting at - post working towards + post it should increase by 2 Volts as you go. Up to 12 Volts.

(You can dip between each cell too)

If you get uneven voltage say 1.9v-2.0v-1.2v etc then you have a dead cell 1.2v.
The battery is SCRAP.

Another quick test but more involved and if maintenance free type.
On a fully charged battery
Stick the bike in TOP gear.
Clamp the meter to and measure voltage across the + & - posts.
HOLD THE BRAKES ON.
Push the start button.
The starter will turn against the backwheel and stall.
(Only hold on for a few seconds 5-6)
This loads the battery same as a 'High Rate Discharge Tester' does.
The voltage across the battery should only drop a couple of volts then hold.
If it drops rapidly to zero then you have a short.
Battery is SCRAP.

Modern batteries are by design reliable and when they give it up it's normally time for a new one.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[DrJustice]

[fazza59]

[DrJustice]

[MattEMulsion]

Well the best thing to do (and the cheapest option) would not be to turn the ignition on until he is ready to press the starter button. I can't think why you would want to turn the ignition on and leave it on without starting the bike anyway.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[bugsy46]

In reply to walopers message-

If he is putting the bike into top gear and trying to start it, he can only do that with the clutch pulled in? So how is this going to try and turn the rear wheel. To perform a load test all the battery needs is a load (a high one such as the starter motor), place your volt meter across the teminals in neutral and thumb the starter taking note of the voltage drop. Why would you want to test the battery against such a high resistance? This isnt how you start a motorcycle. Any battery is going to struggle under such a load
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Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[Walloper]

Whether consumable or not consumables are warrantied to provide a life within the warranty period.
Min. warranty is 1yr.
But some folk get deals from the OEM or the dealer.
Even the worst batteries on the market should give at least Three years life or more.

Fist fight the dealer or spend 50 quid for a new one.

Fight the dealer and you might lose any favour you may need later.
Or if they are 'expendible, let them Burn in Hell.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Walloper]

[bugsy46]

Its not about how much load you are applying

Its about how the battery copes with the load

What does the bike I own have to do with this subject?!
If you must know I ride a work hack sv650 which gets me to my honda dealership where I then change into my Honda technician overalls

If his battery breaks down under load whilst turning the starter motor it is faulty. And talking about alternative ways (ie the engine starting) then OBVIOUSLY you would remove the supressor cap or activate the kill switch. And anyway, common sense tells you if the battery dies after a minute of the ignition being on, and the system is putting out a suitable charge then how is the battery going to cope trying to start a bike in top gear with the brakes on!?!?
____________________
Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[fazza59]

[Finglonga]

[True Blue]

[Walloper]