Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > Battery Wanted

[YMFB]

Has anyone fitted an Odyssey PCA 680 battery to an ST ?

[rockhopper]

Mine lives on the optimate 24/7. I haven't run it since June last year and on saturday morning it started first push of the button.
I think the Odyssy batteries are a bit bigger than standard ones so you may have a tight squeeze getting it in.
I should add though that leaving it standing for long periods will kill it just as quickly as a regular battery.

Cranking current is not the issue with the St''s anyhow, the problem is with the standard cables between the battery (or solenoid) and the starter. Someone in America does a mod kit with some heavier cables which improves things if you are having issues. Simply fitting a bigger battery will allow the engine to turn over for longer but won't necessarily make it turn over any faster as the cables are the limiting factor here.

[YMFB]

rockhopper if it lives on an optimate 24/7 does it start if you go touring for say a week where you dont have the optimate ?

[Jools]

Originally Posted by YMFB

rockhopper if it lives on an optimate 24/7 does it start if you go touring for say a week where you dont have the optimate ?

If yours doesn't start after a week's touring you need to start troubleshooting your charging system or going through all the wiring/connectors to see if you've got a high resistance joint or cable somewhere

[YMFB]

I am sure that previously its been fine when touring but I remember riding from Salisbury to Brands Hatch watching BSB and on my return to the bike park the engine only just catching. My feeling is that I am happy to pay a premium for a better battery and modify the battery tray if it gives some additional security.

I wil definitely check the wiring/charging system, not having done it before what I am I looking for, just something higher or a specific resistance.

[mc31@york.ac.uk]

It sounds like you may have the usual dreaded ST regulator/rectifier problem. You certainly need to check it. Without looking it up, I can't remember the exact figures, but it's ringing a bell that your reg/rect. should be throwing out about 14.5 volts when charging. Also check the state of the cables and connectors for anything that's fried (or rubbed through and shorting).

The ST's gave loads of problems with these. Basically because the originals were pants. So much so that there were warranty replacements available.
Mine was changed with no charge (pardon the pun) when the bike was 6 years old. So ring Ducati UK and see if yours has any outstanding warranty work or recalls. They will still honour them.

If you haven't got a multi-meter, any half decent mechanic will be able to tell you in 2 minutes if your battery is not receiving enough charge. The regulator is under and to the rear of the right hand side of the headlamp housing.
Defininetly check it before bunging money at another battery.

[rockhopper]

You need to be seeing about 14.5 volts across the battery with the engine running at about 2k, the voltage should stay constant when the revs rise but it may drop back at tickover.

[YMFB]

Should the regulator have been changed during services at a main dealer or only if I had pointed out a potential issue.