1. Some members were not receiving emails sent from XJbikes.com. For example: "Forgot your password?" function to reset your password would not send email to some members. I believe this has been resolved now. Please use "Contact Us" form (see page footer link) if you still have email issues. SnoSheriff

    Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Battery test results?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mwhite74, Jul 26, 2011.

  1. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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
     
  2. wizard

    wizard Active Member

    Messages:
    5,282
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    DEVON ENGLAND
    Did you charge the battery before the test @ partssource ?
    I have had a battery that metered fine, but was shot.
     
  3. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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.
     
  4. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    13,843
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    Massachusetts, Billerica
    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.
     
  5. SecaRob

    SecaRob Member

    Messages:
    510
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    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
     
  6. pygmy_goat

    pygmy_goat Member

    Messages:
    195
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ann Arbor, MI
    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.
     
  7. TECHLINETOM

    TECHLINETOM Member

    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Deerfield OH
    If it's smoked I highly recommend an AGM battery.
    I have an Odesy battery in mine since 2007.
     
  8. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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!
     
  9. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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.
     
  10. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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?
     
  11. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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.
     
  12. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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:
    [​IMG]

    Bigger version is in my gallery (in my sig)
     
  13. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    9,751
    Likes Received:
    2,097
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Beaver Falls, PA
    you call those little nubbies, brushes?
    them was bad a long time ago
     
  14. PTSenterprises

    PTSenterprises Member

    Messages:
    202
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    ^^ yeah what he said!
     
  15. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    Thanks for confirming fellers... Looks like they won't be too tough to change out at any rate.
     
  16. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    21,283
    Likes Received:
    418
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Rural SE Michigan 60 miles N of Motown
    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.
     
  17. mwhite74

    mwhite74 Member

    Messages:
    971
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    St John's Newfoundland, Canada
    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:

    [​IMG]

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

    Marcel
     

Share This Page