VN900 Battery

[Johnny5]

Hey,

It's been a while since I've been here. Just got my bike out of storage and forgot to take the battery out this winter. Last winter, I pulled it and kept it in my basement. No problems. This year, obviously a different story. I put the battery on a charger and brought it up to 13 volts, took it off the charger and a few hours later, it's at 12.5 volts. Do you think it's shot?

Also, what voltage should it go to before I take it off the charger? What voltage loss rate is normal?

Thanks!

[slicktech]

I don't know but the battery in my 06 900 was replaced . The OEM battery hardly lasted a year.

[Johnny5]

It's going on it's 3rd season. The winter probably killed a cell in it.

[t conroy]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

It's going on it's 3rd season. The winter probably killed a cell in it.

2 seasons is good for a cycle battery and 12.5 volts is good.When charging your charger will go at a rate of 13.8 or somewhere close.12.48 to 12.75 is a good battery.Take it to advance auto and have it load tested to make sure.

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by t conroy

2 seasons is good for a cycle battery and 12.5 volts is good.When charging your charger will go at a rate of 13.8 or somewhere close.12.48 to 12.75 is a good battery.Take it to advance auto and have it load tested to make sure.

That's a good idea about having the auto store testing it. I always forget about that.

Thanks,

[Johnny5]

Tonight, I cant make it to the auto store, so for poops and smiles, I put the battery in the bike and it cranked right over. I tested the voltage while it idled and it was around 14.3.

Seems okay. I'll see what happens in the morning.

[t conroy]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

Tonight, I cant make it to the auto store, so for poops and smiles, I put the battery in the bike and it cranked right over. I tested the voltage while it idled and it was around 14.3.

Seems okay. I'll see what happens in the morning.

Thats your stator output doing that.At least you know it's working properly.Test the battery in the morning and see if it is at 12.5.then hit the key to on without starting it and see what the voltage drop is.If it below 12.4 I would get a new battery.

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by t conroy

Thats your stator output doing that.At least you know it's working properly.Test the battery in the morning and see if it is at 12.5.then hit the key to on without starting it and see what the voltage drop is.If it below 12.4 I would get a new battery.

Good point.

[idmtchris]

Your probably good for this season, Pull it at the end of the year and replace it next season if it looses anymore.

[NewRoadie]

If you have an accurate digital volt meter, you can think of the tens and hundreds as a clock to test the battery state of charge. For example, if your battery tests at 12.60 volts, you have a fully charged battery.
Tests at 12.45, your battery is 1/4 discharged.
Tests at 12.30 means the battery is half discharged (I am a pessimist)
Tests at 12.15 volts means the battery is 3/4 discharged.

The clock scenario is pretty easy to remember, but open circuit voltage on a 12 volt battery should be 12.60 volts fully charged (2.1 volts per cell).

[Johnny5]

Good info, thanks.

[Johnny5]

Yep, battery is toast.

Is it okay to run a conventional battery in these bikes and run the drainage tube out the side of the battery box? Money is tight right now and need to save my pennies wherever I can.