Author Topic: Cool weather and Battery (Read 4639 times)

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.

VirginiaJim · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2012, 05:13:57 PM »

How old is the battery?

CigarSki® · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2012, 05:49:07 PM »

Couple of years; stock batt. on the 2010.

gPink · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2012, 05:54:13 PM »

Doesn't have to leak to corrode. Was the ground loose?

CigarSki® · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2012, 06:31:31 PM »

Snug, but crusty.

C1xRider · « **Reply #5 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.

maxtog · « **Reply #6 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.

JamminJere · « **Reply #7 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

CigarSki® · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2012, 03:26:51 PM »

Yup. Already been hit with the FOB low v.

C14PAINKILLER · « **Reply #9 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.

Cheesecake · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2012, 03:26:07 PM »

Quote from: 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.

You had a 2010 battery that failed in 2011? Did the warranty cover it?

C1xRider · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2012, 07:15:16 PM »

Quote from: BleedingEdge on October 09, 2012, 03:26:07 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.

stevewfl · « **Reply #12 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

Son of Pappy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2012, 08:00:41 PM »

Quote from: 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

'08, stock batteries in everything, including the fobs, must be the neutron silver recharging at the speed of light

I did start keeping the 14 on a battery tender, riding multiple bikes has seen a decline in riding time on the 14.

C1xRider · « **Reply #14 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.

jonathan · « **Reply #15 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?

r2t2 · « **Reply #16 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.

C1xRider · « **Reply #17 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.

Frank ZZR · « **Reply #18 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.

TJ · « **Reply #19 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.

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Author Topic: Cool weather and Battery (Read 4639 times)

Son of Pappy