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BAttery: How can i tell if it's "Soft"?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Alain, Aug 7, 2014.

  1. Alain

    Alain Member

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    I'm wondering, aside from voltage, how else can i tell if my battery is "soft"? Should i measure AMP or do i not get that on DC?

    I know when charged, it's between 12.8 to 13.5 volts. When i rev to 2500RPM i'm getting to 14.5 volts.

    Previously i used a NOCO Genius (G750) and it sulphated my battery. It didn't have desulphation function and battery was only getting up to 12.3V on full charge.

    Then i changed to a TecMate 3 charger and it's now coming up to 12.8 to 13.5V fully charged. It's a new Yuasa battery (Yuasa YB12AA) that i changed in April with only 800KM on it.

    I ride everyday in the Spring/Fall but only on Friday's in teh summer. All the time i keep the battery connected to a charger.
     
    Alain, Aug 7, 2014
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  2. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    Check your voltage while you are retrying to start the bike, I have had problems in the past with weak batteries holding a "surface" charge where the battery indicated 12.5v, but wouldn't start. Checked voltage while the starter was spun and voltage would drop to 8-9v. Otherwise a simple voltage check should be accurate enough to tell you whether a battery is still good. You could do a specific gravity check with a hydrometer, although you cannot do that with a sealed battery.
     
    Bigshankhank, Aug 7, 2014
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  3. Alain

    Alain Member

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    Just to confirm, i had it tested with these results. Is the CCA (Cold Cranking AMPS) the primary indicator?

    test battery. voltage 12.82V, 218 CCA, rated YTZ12S, temperature 28 degrees celcius
     
    Alain, Aug 8, 2014
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  4. PilotSmack

    PilotSmack Active Member

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    What you wanna do (and this might take a buddy to help you out), it measure the volts from the battery while it is still on the bike. Then, start the bike, still measuring the volts from the battery. If it drops below 9v WHILE CRANKING, it's a soft battery.

    I didn't think CCA was a solid measure of performance, something about it being a subjective number. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
     
    PilotSmack, Aug 8, 2014
    #4
  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Go.
    Read.
    Learn.
    Revisit as needed.http://batteryuniversity.com
    The charger didn't cause your battery to sulphate. Sulphation occurs during discharge.
     
    k-moe, Aug 8, 2014
    #5
  6. PilotSmack

    PilotSmack Active Member

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    K-moe... wow! Thanks for that :)
     
    PilotSmack, Aug 8, 2014
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