Battery Problem "Again"

[SteveADV]

Yeah, that is a big problem here in Chicago. I haven't been able to ride in about a month and I don't see any sign of decent weather on the horizon (40+ degrees).

That's why I live in Cleveland....for the great riding weather. Today, for example, was a perfect day for riding. Sunny and mid-30s. At least I think it's called a sun. It was out for about an hour, but hey, to qualify for a sunny day in this town we just need a minute or two....even if it pops out only in Akron. That's close enough.

 

[exavid]

My K1100LT has an '09 battery in it and needs to be on a tender if it sits for more than a week. I've load tested the battery and it's still okay. It's a BMW labeled Exide. The battery on my '13GT holds up well for at least a week or more without being on a tender. BTW the easiest way to connect a tender is to put a 12V plug on the tender cable and plug it into the 12V outlet in the left glove box. That socket is hot all the time whether the key is on or not so you've got a direct connection through that to the battery. Most hardware stores, Radio Shack or auto parts stores have the 12V plugs.

 

[Edumakated]

That's why I live in Cleveland....for the great riding weather. Today, for example, was a perfect day for riding. Sunny and mid-30s. At least I think it's called a sun. It was out for about an hour, but hey, to qualify for a sunny day in this town we just need a minute or two....even if it pops out only in Akron. That's close enough.

It's sunny and 34 degrees today. I said to hell with it, I'm riding today.

 

[Rifleman3006]

Okay, took the battery in yesterday and they told me it wasn't the battery. He actually thinks it's bad gas. I tiold him I just filled up a month ago and put some stabil in for the winter. He told me NOT to use Stabil, go figure. He said it just messes things up. Thought I should add some Marvel oil treatment to the gas rather than a fuel stabilizer. I would have never thought that?? Anyway, I just drained the gas and going to put some fresh stuff in tomorrow or Saturday and see what happens. He also said I might want to shoot a little starting fluid in the infector if the gas doesn't do the trick?? Showed me where to spray a quick shot. Don't want to do that but will try if the new gas doesn't do the trick. Of course the ether might just let it run momentarily as well. If none of this works, will have it towed at some point.

 

[justscootin]

You have a battery problem as it drains quickly what does the gas have to do with it. I leave the scooter for up to a month without the battery tender and it will start up. I have used stabil in my Z3 every year for the last 14 years I have also used it in my K75 for the 13 years I had it and I have used it the last 2 winters and will again this winter. I have never had a problem. I have never heard of marvel oil treatment.

Okay, took the battery in yesterday and they told me it wasn't the battery. He actually thinks it's bad gas. I tiold him I just filled up a month ago and put some stabil in for the winter. He told me NOT to use Stabil, go figure. He said it just messes things up. Thought I should add some Marvel oil treatment to the gas rather than a fuel stabilizer. I would have never thought that?? Anyway, I just drained the gas and going to put some fresh stuff in tomorrow or Saturday and see what happens. He also said I might want to shoot a little starting fluid in the infector if the gas doesn't do the trick?? Showed me where to spray a quick shot. Don't want to do that but will try if the new gas doesn't do the trick. Of course the ether might just let it run momentarily as well. If none of this works, will have it towed at some point.

 

[Snowdog]

Warm up your bike every couple of days and you won't need Stabil or any other preservative. Having over forty year experience fixing all sorts of machinery, I have had good luck with Stabil. Can your mechanic PROVE it works or not, I doubt it. Same with all the others. I will say that I bought a new snowblower a few years ago and didn't get around to putting the Stabil in the gas after the winter. The next fall it wouldn't start. I took the carb apart and sure enough the main jet had a blob of gum plugging it up!! I don't forget anymore. I have also used Stabil in all my bikes for years and never had a problem. With that said, if you started your bike every couple of days , it would keep your fuel system clear and your battery charged.

 

[wsteele]

If you start your bike and let it idle the rpms will not be enough to charge the battery also you should let the bike get up to full temperture otherwise there will be condensation build up in the oil You would be better off taking the bike out for a ride for about 1/2 hour or so than just letting it idle in your garage. I can't do that where I live there is ice all over the place and only in the 20s in the day and lower at night. If you want to put an additive in your gas try Startron it binds with the ethanol and keeps the gas from breaking down.

 

[Rifleman3006]

Thanks guys for the posts. I hope to be able to put fresh gas in it tomorrow or Saturday and see what it does. I have never had an issue with Stabil either but this is what the Service Writer was telling me. I was also thinking that I've used this in everything I store in the winter and never had an issue including my Vespa which I had for 4 years. By the way, my bike is always parked in a garage that doesn't get below 40 or so in the winter. I still wonder about the battery even though he says it's fine, I guess we'll see shortly.

Best

 

[JaimeC]

The dying battery sounds more like a symptom of a problem, not an issue with the battery itself. You've got a parasitic drain SOMEWHERE in the system. Do you have an alarm system or some other anti-theft device installed?

 

[justscootin]

Jaime as mentioned earlier I have never had the battery drain and I also have an alarm system on my scooter (I never use it)
Not to say rifleman3006 does not have an issue.

The dying battery sounds more like a symptom of a problem, not an issue with the battery itself. You've got a parasitic drain SOMEWHERE in the system. Do you have an alarm system or some other anti-theft device installed?

 

[Rifleman3006]

No, I don't have any alarm system or anything else on the bike. Just stock at 3300 miles, bought this March!

 

[wsteele]

A bad ground will mimic a faulty battery, I had a Can-Am Spyder that had a missing ground wire to the frame It drove the bike crazy also the bike labored starting If you can check all the ground connections

 

[Snowdog]

Charging the battery

If you start your bike and let it idle the rpms will not be enough to charge the battery also you should let the bike get up to full temperture otherwise there will be condensation build up in the oil You would be better off taking the bike out for a ride for about 1/2 hour or so than just letting it idle in your garage. I can't do that where I live there is ice all over the place and only in the 20s in the day and lower at night. If you want to put an additive in your gas try Startron it binds with the ethanol and keeps the gas from breaking down.

The BMW scoots will charge the battery at idle, they have a high output charging system compared to most bikes. Yes you want to let it warm up all the way to eliminate moisture. But, if you start it often the problem will be minimized. Yes riding is best but, most people won't do it in the winter.

The problem here is we are trying to trouble shoot someone's bike over the internet. This rarely goes as well as getting someone knowledgeable to actually put hands on the sick bike. or anything else.

 

[Snowdog]

BTW, I started my Sport this morning and let it idle. 14.7 Volts. Plenty to charge a battery.
My battery tender charges at 13.3V .

 

[Rifleman3006]

Thanks to everyone who replied, I learn a lot from you guys! Anyway, I just had a chance to siphon out the old gas (a little more than a month old) and put battery back in, put a gallon of fresh fuel in and it started up. It did sputter quite a bit when I gave it some throttle (had it on the center stand). I was beginning to wonder about it, but after about 5 minutes of idling I decided to take it on a 12 mile spin. No problems so I guess it was the gas or stabil that he warned me about, don't really know?? Anyway, the only issue I noticed now is that my fuel gauge still shows full even though I have around a gallon of gas in it - it's like it didn't realize I siphoned 4 gallons out?? Hopefully that will correct itself when I fill it all the way up. I guess I will start the bike up every couple of weeks and let it idle for a while this winter to hopefully avoid that issue again. Also put it back on the CTEK tender.

Best to everyone and have a nice Christmas!!

 

[justscootin]

When filling make sure bike is vertical and not on side stand or the fuel gauge will not read accurately

Thanks to everyone who replied, I learn a lot from you guys! Anyway, I just had a chance to siphon out the old gas (a little more than a month old) and put battery back in, put a gallon of fresh fuel in and it started up. It did sputter quite a bit when I gave it some throttle (had it on the center stand). I was beginning to wonder about it, but after about 5 minutes of idling I decided to take it on a 12 mile spin. No problems so I guess it was the gas or stabil that he warned me about, don't really know?? Anyway, the only issue I noticed now is that my fuel gauge still shows full even though I have around a gallon of gas in it - it's like it didn't realize I siphoned 4 gallons out?? Hopefully that will correct itself when I fill it all the way up. I guess I will start the bike up every couple of weeks and let it idle for a while this winter to hopefully avoid that issue again. Also put it back on the CTEK tender.

Best to everyone and have a nice Christmas!!