Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: CigarSki® on October 05, 2012, 04:48:51 PM

Title: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: CigarSki® on October 05, 2012, 04:48:51 PM
I've been getting a low batt. warning at start up on the now, cool mornings. The bike gets ridden almost daily, so, I pulled the batt. to check the terminals. The positive terminal looked good, the negative, not so much, it had a lot of "acid" corrosion build up. Cleaned it with some water and baking soda; can you say foamy...
It must be leaking a small amount of electrolyte around the terminal.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: VirginiaJim on October 05, 2012, 05:13:57 PM
How old is the battery?
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: CigarSki® on October 05, 2012, 05:49:07 PM
Couple of years; stock batt. on the 2010.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: gPink on October 05, 2012, 05:54:13 PM
Doesn't have to leak to corrode. Was the ground loose?
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: CigarSki® on October 05, 2012, 06:31:31 PM
Snug, but crusty.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: C1xRider on October 05, 2012, 08:00:13 PM
Yours lasted a year longer than mine.  When mine started doing that, it wasn't long before it wouldn't start the bike in the mornings.  I carried a portable jump starter in the left saddle bag for a few weeks until I finally bought a new battery.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: maxtog on October 06, 2012, 05:41:37 AM
Sounds like a new battery is in your future soon.

Lead acid batteries will TYPICALLY last about 3 to 5 years.  However, if you use it a lot (which it sounds like you do) you can cut the life a lot.  And if you have ever let the battery die (run down to nothing or almost nothing) that will also greatly lower the life.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: JamminJere on October 07, 2012, 01:47:35 PM
Are you sure it wasn't a low battery warning for the tire pressure sensor? Or maybe the fob battery?  I've never seen a battery warning for the system battery.

JJ
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: CigarSki® on October 07, 2012, 03:26:51 PM
Yup. Already been hit with the FOB low v.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: C14PAINKILLER on October 07, 2012, 06:13:58 PM
Yeah cold and damp= battery problems, especially when it is low an charge already. But on a whole bike batteries don't last as long as car batteries. Battery Tenders help though.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: Cheesecake on October 09, 2012, 03:26:07 PM
Yours lasted a year longer than mine.  When mine started doing that, it wasn't long before it wouldn't start the bike in the mornings.  I carried a portable jump starter in the left saddle bag for a few weeks until I finally bought a new battery.
You had a 2010 battery that failed in 2011? Did the warranty cover it?
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: C1xRider on October 09, 2012, 07:15:16 PM
You had a 2010 battery that failed in 2011? Did the warranty cover it?

No.  Kawi claimed since it passed their "test", it wasn't bad.  It would not start the bike after sitting for 2 or more days, so their definition of bad is much different than mine.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: stevewfl on October 09, 2012, 07:30:38 PM
I should change my battery out - stock 2010 battery still going strong but thats only cuz i keep my FOB battery fresh  ;D
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: Son of Pappy on October 09, 2012, 08:00:41 PM
I should change my battery out - stock 2010 battery still going strong but thats only cuz i keep my FOB battery fresh  ;D
'08, stock batteries in everything, including the fobs, must be the neutron silver recharging at the speed of light ;D  I did start keeping the 14 on a battery tender, riding multiple bikes has seen a decline in riding time on the 14.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: C1xRider on October 09, 2012, 08:11:31 PM
I've already replaced the FOB battery too.  I even bumped up the battery size from the original CR2025 to a higher capacity CR2032 (just because it was all I had).

Given that, I should have "extra" protection now.  8)
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: jonathan on October 10, 2012, 07:32:05 AM
I'm puzzled. When we're taking about the main battery what is the "low battery warning" that you mentioned?
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: r2t2 on October 10, 2012, 10:25:07 AM
My thoghts exactly... Is the warning for the tire pressure sensor or are you really getting a warning stating the (bike's) battery is getting low? If it's the TPS your '10 should still be covered by the original warranty and you can get it replaced.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: C1xRider on October 10, 2012, 11:20:54 AM
Main battery.  The FOB & TPMS batteries also report through the display when they are low, but they are identified as such.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: Frank ZZR on October 12, 2012, 08:29:22 AM
Taken care of properly, a battery can last a reasonably long time. My 2002 ZZR 1200 still has the original battery installed and going strong. No issues with my 2010 and not anticipating any for a few more years. Hot weather is the biggest enemy.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: TJ on October 12, 2012, 10:33:42 AM
Batteries are weird to say the least. I've owned some that lasted 8 years and replaced them just cause I wanted to. But on some atv's and bikes only had them last 18 months, or less. Case in point are the new Brute Force atv's we just purchased. One of them had a dead battery with only 2 hours on the clock. And those two hours were put on by the dealership. Just doesnt seem to be any reason for why some conk out so quick and others last forever.

Yes, heat is a battery killer but so is allowing them to discharge below a certain point. Starting batteries are not built to survive a lot of discharging. I believe the one in the Concours is the same as the one in the Brute Force, semi sealed AGM battery. You can buy them online for about $65. I just popped $55 for a nice battery tested from Amazon so hopefully it will teach me a few things in the coming years.
Title: Re: Cool weather and Battery
Post by: h2smokin on October 12, 2012, 05:42:06 PM
anyone fit an odyssey battery in one yet if they have one that fits anyhow? I had one for I think 8yrs in my beemer and about 4 now in my klr650. I would like to put one in this bike when necessary