Bandit B6, Mk1, random & intermittent battery drain

[wayland]

Hi. I've recently developed a problem on a B6 which charges normally while riding and normally starts without fail. I've had a new battery a few months ago. However, I've had a few occasions where the battery was drained to the point that it barely cranked over but not enough to start, usually after it sat after a few hours. It will jump start alright - so its definately the battery being drained; what surprises me is that it seems to happen randomly and suddenly.
... Since its so random I suspect its the ignition switch keepin something on (although all seems normal) or could it possibly be the acumen indicator relay sticking (or being set to a 'on' position) since I noticed that the indicator was left on. Any suggestions welcome.

Has anyone had the same problem and found a solution? Thanks

[steven_191]

a friend of mine got a 12v solar panel out of maplin for a few quid and a typical 2 pin connector. whenever its parked up he plugs in the solar panel and leaves it on the fence or wherever. never runs out of charge.

then reasons for battery drain could be, something left on, something shorting out, bad battery fluid (recharge or replace).

if you have access to another battery give that a go for a while and see how it is.

if you have a tester check your voltage.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Sounds like either the battery is sometimes not being charged, or something is draining the battery. To drain the battery in a couple of hours requires a far current drain, and the biggest thing that can do that without being obvious (ie, light on, heated grips on, etc) would be the coils.

Good luck though as we have a similar issue with a 600 Bandit, and as it is intermittent it is a pig to trace.

All the best

Keith
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[wayland]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think you're probably both right. I think the battery is on its way out although I think its a symptom rather than the cause. I was thinking about the coils too so became religious about switching the kill switch off, and, at least the last time, it was definately off. I should maybe admit that I am pretty heavy on the charging system (twin headlights, alarm and heated grips). The headlight on the B6 turn off with the ignition so my next best guess are the heated grips or a cable short. I've got those Oxford grips with the electronic regulators (connected, as they suggest, directly to the battery) which should switch off if the battery runs down to 11.5V. I guess 11.5volt is technically already a drained battery and on second thoughts that electronic switch need a little current to monitor itself even after the grips have been switched off; so it will drain it below 11.5... in the same way as a remote switches the screen on the telly off but the telly remains on stand-by. I'm not entirely sure that's the case but i'm gonna put them on an ignition-fed lead and see what happens. As keith pointed out, since its intermittent its gonna take a while and a lotta faith till I can be sure. I like the idea with the solar panel, but where I live the local neds would have a field day with it. I got myself jump leads today to carry in my rucksack (I was contemplating a cheap jump-starter pack from Maplin but didn't wanna look like a Jihadist).
Keith, if you find the gremling on your B6, I'd love to hear what it was.

Thanks very much for the pointers guys.

[Kickstart]

[wayland]