Battery test results?

Hey guys,

So the battery in the Maxim died as I tried to start it leaving work the other day. Managed to bump it and ride home just fine, however no charge.

I'm getting 14.6-8v when running off idle across the terminals, 11 when cranking, 12.11 when at idle.

Had the battery tested at partssource:

They said the battery was 'low':

Voldate: 12.31
Measured: 228 CCA
Rated: YB12A-A
Temp: 39c (in car for the afternoon)

Any of these readings stick out as being bad? I fractured my fibula the other day so i'm not really able to ride for the next week but I'm a little stumped. the water levels were a little low so I have some distilled H2o to top it up. any input would be great, thanks!

Marcel

 

Did you charge the battery before the test @ partssource ?
I have had a battery that metered fine, but was shot.

 

Yessir Wiz,

It was charged on a 2AMP tender/charger for two days prior. It started no problem once charged but when i pressed the start button it seemed like it was slowing down right away, then caught.

 

Might be time to clean the Starter's Electrical end.
A Carbon Dust clogged Commutator often gives the same symptom as a weak or dying Battery.

Peek at your Starter Brushes during the cleaning.

 

Marcel, just for your reference I went out and checked my battery. Have not ridden it in 5 days but my battery is at 12.45.

Before I let the water in one cel drop below the top of the plates it would hold at 12.7 for a couple of weeks.

12.3 I would think should turn the bike over so I agree with Rick in that it might be time to take a look at your starter brushes

 

I have had batteries test good but actually be bad, especially if they had a full charge. The battery testers (even the ones made for motorcycle batteries) don't really seem to work very well, IMO. The best test seems to be performance while cranking.

 

If it's smoked I highly recommend an AGM battery.
I have an Odesy battery in mine since 2007.

 

Thanks for your input guys,

I topped up the battery with distilled water and charged again. Although I think the starter brushes may need service all the cells were low (probably evaporated due to the heatwave we've had lately). After charging i'm over 13 volts on it, perhaps she'll be ok when i try tonight, wish me luck!

 

update:

I haven't run my bike other than to check that it still starts (it does). So over the course of 5 days sitting it's now at 12.25v with the ignition off. Might ride tomorrow where the leg is feeling better and the wife has no ammo to keep me off of it (doing some heavy lifting around the house). I'm honestly thinking it's the battery... BTW: Anyone ever see this link:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maintenance/battery.htm

looks pretty informative.

 

Hey all,

New Battery, similar problems, It nearly didn't start leaving work today and wouldn't turn over at all when i got home. The "NEW" battery read 12.74 volts so it should be fine.

I've got one question though. Why would it start instantly this morning, barely when leaving work and not at all when I get home? Does this still sound like something is up with the starter?

 

This Thread nearly slipped off the first page, can't have that happen eh?

The good news: I cleaned out the starter (filthy inside) and used some 1000 grit sandpaper to lightly clean up the commutator. The bike starts better than ever! Once again I must thank this forum.

The bad news: I bought a new battery for nuttin. Lesson learned.

 

Hey guys,

The starter has quit again. I hauled it apart and this time i took some pics...

At a glance, do these brushes look bad? I'll assume so, haven't looked at the specs yet:


Bigger version is in my gallery (in my sig)

 

you call those little nubbies, brushes?
them was bad a long time ago

 

^^ yeah what he said!

 

Thanks for confirming fellers... Looks like they won't be too tough to change out at any rate.

 

Be careful reinstalling that plate. If it gets back in just slightly out of position, the starter will run fine, BACKWARDS. You wouldn't be the first one to do it to himself.

 

Hey dudes,

Just got the new brushes in, works perfectly (thanks Chacal!). For the curious i took a snap with one new and one old brush, quite the difference:



Alternator brushes tomorrow morning, Looks like there's no soldering involved (phew!).

Marcel