Does this bike eat batteries?

[Wahrsuul]

The battery seemed pretty strong when I got the bike. I used it many times for starting/testing while working on the bike. Now that I'm riding it.... Tried to start it yesterday after a week of sitting, and it would barely crank over and no start, so no ride.

The fuse that keeps the clock/radio going was bad when I got the bike and I haven't bothered to replace it yet, nor is the trunk switch conncted or lightbulb in even if it was. Maybe I just have a bad battery now? If I'm looking at having to run a battery tender or remove the battery all the time to keep it going, then that'll be a non-starter for me. I don't have a way to put a tender on it where it's parked, and if removing the battery all the time is the answer, then it becomes more trouble than it's worth.

I have to sya, seems like this bike has been fighting since I got it home. Maybe it just doesn't want to live here.

[bikerking.biz]

No, this bike does not eat batteries. It should last about 2 weeks on a good battery without the need for charging, but a tender is always the best. You must have some sort of drain on the system, or the battery needs topped off (if possible) or replaced. Also, if it's a cheap battery, they don't seem to last long.

Just thought of something else- is it charging when running? (about 13.4 to 14.2 volts) Check to make sure the alternator is working correctly. May need to bring it a little off idle (about 3000 rpm) to check.

[Wahrsuul]

I'm fairly sure it's charging while running. I wore it about out with testing in the garage, so by the time I got it out for a ride, I had to jump it off. I made the ride to work ok - about 38 miles - and brought the jump box along just in case, but it fired up easily and rode home. The battery may be weak, though, it's an Odyssey AGM, but no sign of how old. Maybe it needs a good long charge, if not, then I'll be in for a replacement. I was just curious if I'd missed something.

[Mr Jensee]

Any AGM battery NEEDS a battery tender. Practically any brand will do but it needs to be able to cycle the battery and do a 1 amp charge on it while the bike is not being used. Riding, even for 38 miles will not sufficiently recharge the battery. The tenders are cheap anywhere from $25 to $60 retail. In the end the money is well spent.

[Avidrider62]

How many wires attached to the positive post, an extra one may not go there. I had the same problem. The battery sensor wire(warning light) was on my positvie, from previous owner.

[Lucasind]

This is a nice unit ...reasonably priced. take the fake tank off once....make your connection to the battery, and leave the pig tail out to place wherever you want it to be ,for quick connection ,after your ride !
http://www.amazon.com/Deltran-Battery-T ... der+motorc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[chicagorandy]

There are a few solar powered battery charger-tenders if a standard charger won't work where you park your bike. Found a few on Amazon.

[Wahrsuul]

I have a tender, I just don't have anywhere to plug it in. The bike is under a steel "carport" with a cover most of the time. If the solar ones would reac out from under there, that might work. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I can do.

I've never run into this problem with other bikes, so I was wondering if it was an issue with this one. I knew about the radio and trunk light from readin here, just wondering if I'd missed anything else. There is an additional wire on the positive side with a resistro on it, from reading here, I figured it was the "batt" light fix.

Might be I just need a new battery. This one seemed pretty strong when I got the bike, but with the cold and abuse, maybe it's done. I'll borrow my brother's smart charger and give that a go. Friday will be the next day I can possibly ride anyway. If I didn't have to pick up my granddaughter on the way home from work, I could ride more often.

[chevyman1]

If the battery light fix is connected to the positive battery terminal that will drain your battery faster.
connect it to the orange wire on the turn flasher located on the left side of the battery hold down.

[Mr Jensee]

I have a tender, I just don't have anywhere to plug it in. The bike is under a steel "carport" with a cover most of the time. If the solar ones would reac out from under there, that might work. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I can do.

What, they don't sell extension cords where you live?

[Wahrsuul]

I have a tender, I just don't have anywhere to plug it in. The bike is under a steel "carport" with a cover most of the time. If the solar ones would reac out from under there, that might work. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I can do.

What, they don't sell extension cords where you live?

Indeed they do, I have 80 feet of 12ga cord (I think it is). Problem is, having some place to plug it in and not have it in the way or messed with.

[Avidrider62]

Battery light fix shouldn't go to battery (+). Brand new battery of mine went dead in 24 hrs. I put the battery fix wire on the orange wire by the signal relay, problem fixed .I tried the drain test, didn't see it on my meter. Worth trying to remove the wire, if light comes on when running, well there's the answer.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Not sure if you are in an apartment building or area where the "younger" members of society are less than respectful to property of others but I've seen and am planning on buying a solar float charger for my bike for winter usage. They're small and vary in size from 5" x 8" up to 10" x 20" and charge at a very low rate (2-2.4W). Prices run in the range of $20 - $40.

[Wahrsuul]

Well, seems the battery is bad, so it'll have to be repalced before anything else. I botrrowed my brothers B&D Smart charger. It has a nice little display on it that read "charging 14.5 volts" for a while. About an hour or so later, it says "service or replace battery". So, off to Batteries+ today or tomorrow.

A solar tender would be great, how much cord do they have? I'd need it to reach a few feet to get out from under the carport.

I'll also move the wire off the + side just because. Still need to figre out how the PO wired the fan. He's got it on a switch instead of automatic mode (he didn't fix the temp gauge) and it's possible to turn on the fan even with the bike off and key out.

[mikey]

go to Harbor Freight 577 SAINT ANDREWS RD COLUMBIA,Phone: (803) 551-0082 they have a nice solor tender that works great for about $15.00, i use it on my boat battery. hook it to your battery and let the sun charge your battery.

[Dave]

Any AGM battery NEEDS a battery tender.

That's not true if the bike is ridden frequently. However, any battery will need a battery tender if the bike sits for long periods of time without sufficient use.

[Dave]

I'm fairly sure it's charging while running. I wore it about out with testing in the garage, so by the time I got it out for a ride, I had to jump it off. I made the ride to work ok - about 38 miles - and brought the jump box along just in case, but it fired up easily and rode home. The battery may be weak, though, it's an Odyssey AGM, but no sign of how old. Maybe it needs a good long charge, if not, then I'll be in for a replacement. I was just curious if I'd missed something.

I have heard of situations like yours where "dead" Odyssey batteries could be revived but a special charging process is required. Supposedly, the Odyssey reconditioning procedure calls for a 2-3 amp discharge to 10V followed by a 5 amp recharge to 14.5V. Also, supposedly, Odyssey states that low charging voltages and currents will "sulfate" the battery.