Totally dead

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delsurfin
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Totally dead

Post by delsurfin »

Tried to start my 1200 this AM and had no juice. I had to brag it up on the trailer after my blow out and suspect I hit the ground cable. I have no dash lights and my battery charger indicates the circuit cannot be completed. I did start it just before I started dragging it up on the trailer ramp. It appeared that I had a little clearance but maybe not. I do not know where the ground cable attaches to the frame.
All help appreciated.
ED :dm:
triton28
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Re: Totally dead

Post by triton28 »

ED;
the ground cable attaches to a crankcase bolt on the top half of the cases. It is by the rear brake master cylinder. It is nowhere near the bottom of the bike, but perhaps the eye ring is broken/dirty.

Dave
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Re: Totally dead

Post by delsurfin »

Thank you. It appears that the battery is totally discharged ( 13 days?).
I left it on the battery maintainer and I now have dash lights and some battery charging. I will leave it on overnight and see what happens probably time for a new battery.
ED
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Re: Totally dead

Post by triton28 »

Yes in 13 days the battery will go dead unless it is brand new. Then it may last a little longer, maybe. I am speaking of lead acid flooded cell batteries only, as I have no experience with Absorptive Glass Mat or Lithium ion batteries.
Remember, the radio, ( and CB ), memory constantly uses a small amount of power when the bike is turned off, which over time discharges the battery.
Sometimes the trunk light switch is not adjusted properly and the interior trunk light stays on. Listen for a click when closing the trunk lid, or disconnect it to be certain.
Keep the bike hooked up to a battery tender when it isn't going to be used for some time.
If the battery takes a charge you probably will be OK. A guy I know just had a 2 year old battery become sulphated from sitting in a discharged state for several weeks. It was to the point that the cells were shorted out at the bottom of the plates so the battery wouldn't charge above 9.7 Volts.
Dave
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Re: Totally dead

Post by SgtSlag »

I'd recommend taking it to a battery/automotive parts store to have it load tested -- free service, as they hope to sell you a replacement as long as you are there... It may take a surface charge of 12.6 Volts, but when you put a load on, it may drop below 11 Volts. Such a deep discharge as you describe, usually damages a battery to the point where it needs to be replaced, but a load test will demonstrate where it is at. You do not want to be stranded somewhere, with a dead battery! The battery is held in place with a covering bar; the bar is bolted into place over the top of the battery, with hex-head bolts. You will need to carry a socket, or a wrench, of the proper size, to remove the battery holder bar, to change it out on the road, or in a parking lot of a battery store... Cheers!
:devl
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delsurfin
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Re: Totally dead

Post by delsurfin »

Installed a Superstart AGN battery today. Battery maintainer was giving me a false reading due to a blown fuse. Now all seems good. Battery was sealed and fully charged ( which I checked) Put a connector on the green battery probe and hooked it up to the positive terminal. Bike fired right up :woohoo: battery sensor has no display ( good)
. Buttoned everything up and should be on the road soon after my two new tires are installed.
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SgtSlag
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Re: Totally dead

Post by SgtSlag »

My AGM lasted twice as long as any of my flooded batteries (three different bikes), even with using a Battery Tender Jr. on them, every time I parked them. The AGM's have a slightly higher voltage, as well, so they tend to turn over the engine a bit faster. I think you will be happy with the maintenance-free AGM. Cheers!
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Re: Totally dead

Post by chevyman1 »

delsurfin wrote:Installed a Superstart AGN battery today. Battery maintainer was giving me a false reading due to a blown fuse. Now all seems good. Battery was sealed and fully charged ( which I checked) Put a connector on the green battery probe and hooked it up to the positive terminal. Bike fired right up :woohoo: battery sensor has no display ( good)
. Buttoned everything up and should be on the road soon after my two new tires are installed.
You should hook the probe wire to the orange wire on the turn signal flasher that way it's switched off when the bike is not running.
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