WHAT IS IT WITH MY SS & BATTERIES !!!!

[Iconic944ss]

Since we have had a few hard frosts now - I decided I had better removed my bike batteries from the garage and bring them indoors for the winter.

When I took the battery I had only bought in May this year out of my 900SS the sides and base were SERIOUSLY deformed.

The casing is intact and (thank goodness) it is a fully sealed unit so there are no spillages but there is no way this can go back on the bike again.

Next question of course is what caused the problem.....I hope its a manufacturing defect but I have an awful feeling its related to the Sprag clutch faulty symptoms my bike has been suffering this year (could this account for a high current being pulled and heat distorting the battery ???)

Piccies dont show it too well - but it is very buckled :(

I'll be contacting the supplier but, ideas please ???????


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/flsntl/bat1.JPG

[Edited on 26-11-2004 by Iconic944ss]

[Edited on 26-11-2004 by Iconic944ss]

[Iconic944ss]

and heres the other:

[Jasper]

You have mail

[Iconic944ss]

Cheers - Jasp - yep, could possibly be charging system.

I did a check when fitting the new battery and it was spot-on but, anything can happen I guess.

That Aprilia Falco is looking better all the time :mad:

[Derek]

Frank, as you know I have the same battery fitted to my bike. In the last year it has had two serious overloads, first when the starter solenoid shorted against the cylinders head and virtually flattened the battery and then a few months later the voltage regulator shorted internally and damn near went on fire. Fortunately the battery re-charged with no problems on each occasion although I think the first incident may have hastened the second.
As has been suggested, overcharging is a likely reason for the battery bulging like that.
Check the voltage across the battery when the bike is running, It should be about 14.3V at 3,500 rpm. No more than 14.5V at most.

[weeveetwin]

On a (similar) theme..

I took the battery off my 888 last winter for storage, and when it was reconnected the alarm wouldn't disarm. I quickly tried everything advised in the instruction booklet regarding re-aligning the remote controls - but to no avail. Then, after fruitless trips to my local auto electricians and car alarm fitters, I was told the alarm was ruined since its coding had been lost. My local Ducati dealer said much the same thing, and advised me to disconnect it altogether - which I did. The alarm is still on the bike, and is now being carried around as so much dead weight. It's a Spyball SPAM140.

So, be careful if your bike is alarmed and you intend leaving off the battery for extended periods. These gadgets are notoriously fickle!

Steve

[Iconic944ss]

Thanks Steve, I use a bleedin great big chain and lock personally but, I think your alarm post might well be worth a seperate thread on its own - someone might have a resolution for you!

Good luck

[moto748]

Last time I had a battery look like that, it was showing 20V DC across the terminals with the engine running! :o


ie, clapped-out regulator.

[Martini]

Having spent most of my working life with batteries I have seen hundreds just like yours. The distortion is either caused by overheating (just getting too damn hot - or overcharging which causes the battery to generate heat internally) or is the effect of positive plate growth. Positive plate growth is usually caused by incorrect charging. It can sometimes be caused by undercharging or over-discharging a battery and then recharging it at high rate. Occasionally it can be caused by physical damage to the plates (caused by vibration) which reduces the amount of active material. If you then charge at the"normal rate" the battery (because it now has less active material) is effectively overcharged.

I have purchased cheap South American and Chinese batteries that failed very quickly just beacuse they are badly built and distrort like this in normal use (caused by contaminated lead or electrolyte). Both my American and Chinese battery suppliers send me 5% more batteries than I order to cover "infant mortality"(ie batteries that are duff when I receive them).

I'd advise:

1) Check your charging voltage as mentioned above. 2) If you have an alarm that regularly drains the battery invest in a trickle charger. 3) If all checks out ok, buy a reputable replacement battery.

[Iconic944ss]

Cheers - I contacted the supplier to see if they have had any returns at all.

No alarm system fitted but I wish I'd of bought a charging system indicator like this one from M&P ...


http://www.mandp.co.uk/netalogue/photos/medium/GPPZZSDAA.jpg

Petrol system is drained and tank removed so I'm in a big sulk now with my Duke - she'll be getting flung in her Vac bag for winter any day.....I'll sort it all out next year I guess:(

Cheers - Frank

[Iconic944ss]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/flsntl/bat1.JPG

[edwyun]

hook up a mini digital voltmeter tapped to the battery. it will give you piece of mind and let you know if there's a charging problem. Not sure of the sealed units but a wet battery on a 2-phase 900SS should read as follows:

ignition off: 12.6V (fully charged)
idle to 1500 RPM: about between 12.6-13.4V
above 5000 RPM about 13.6-14.2V (above that and there's overcharging)

These number may be slightly different on a dry type battery.

for a 3-phase, it maxes out at about 13.6V at 5000 RPM.

HTH

[Iconic944ss]

Cheers - shes bagged up for winter now - I might be asking questions about a replacement regulator though :flame:

[edwyun]

Is the weather so bad in the UK in the winter that you can't ride all year round?

Hear in New York City we certainly get snow and salt on the roads but I can get a least 1 ride per month in during December-March (with electrics of course).

[Iconic944ss]

Apart from the fact I cant really afford to ride during winter Edward - you have hit the nail on the head - it does not get anywhere near as cold as you must get there but the English government DUMP thousands of TONNES of salt and grit on our roads at the slightest sign of frost, nevermind ice!!!

My days of exposing bikes to stuff like that are long over I think.

Frank

[edwyun]

i see. to bad.

methinks you could use a supermotard in that stuff!

:)