Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Battery or relay problem?

[Nigel Booker]

The battery is only at 11.5v, is this to low to turn the engine over? All I get is the relay clicking and nothing else.

I've had the battery on an oximiser charger since sunday but it won't go above 11.5v, is it shot?

How much is a replacement battery for a 2000 model 996bip?

[KeefyB]

You need at least 12.5v to turn over and fire up a Duke.
It does sound that the battery is cream crackered.I guess its a "sealed for life" type?Ducati have had loads of probs with these.You may be able to revive it by completely discharging it then recharging.Otherwise a new battery.I'm afraid.About 50quid for a new one.

[Felix]

A lead acid battery has a voltage of 1.9 to 2.2 Volts per cell. Having six cells, this produces a terminal voltage of 11.4 to 13.2 Volts for a fully charged battery with no load. The exact voltage depends on the concentration of the battery acid.

So, your battery at 11.5 is at the very bottom of the range and therefore marginal. If it's a sealed one, there isn't much you can do.

If the battery is fully charged, then it should turn over the starter motor even if it is only 11.5 Volts. The reason you oly hear a click could be due to a faulty starter solenoid. One way to check is to measure the voltage as you push the starter button. The voltage drop would be several volts if the starter motor is indeed trying to turn over. If the voltage drops only slightly, maybe 1 volt, then my bet is on the starter solenoid.

[Nigel Booker]

Thanks for the help lads. It was the battery, I did as keefyboy said and fully discharged it before recharging.