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  • #1

    Battery keeps going dead

    I purchased a 78 xs1100 that runs well but is rough in many areas. The current problem is that the battery keeps losing power. This happens when the motor and all switches are turned off. Anyone have an idea where to start?

    Thanks.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    How old is the battery?
    I've been in more than one Hemisphere, and I wrote a book to help you do it too (or just prepare better for that week long road trip). Going Small, not just for the little guys.

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    • #3
      How clean is your battery? If the connectors are covered with acid, it will bleed power to the frame. Is it a full dress with a radio? If so, the memory will rob power too.
      Fastmover
      "Just plant us in the damn garden with the stupid
      lion". SHL
      78 XS1100e

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      • #4
        re: battery keeps going dead

        It is a new battery. It took two days not running the first time. Recharged the batery and reinstalled it. Took only a day to drain the next time. Battery posts are clean and dry. Any other ideas?

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        • #5
          You've either got an active drain on the system if you say it's going dead just from sitting, vs. going dead after riding it...which would be due to a non-charging issue.

          Put a test meter/light between the positive cable and battery post, and start pulling fuses, when the test meter/light stops indicating current flow, then you've found the CIRCUIT that is causing the drain, and then research from there!

          Good Luck!
          T.C.
          T. C. Gresham
          81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
          79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
          History shows again and again,
          How nature points out the folly of men!

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          • #6
            If the connectors are covered with acid, it will bleed power to the frame.
            Please enlighten us as to how that works?

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            • #7
              It is not unusual to purchase a new battery with a dead or shorted cell, especially if it is one that the dealer had setting fully charged on the show room. A battery with one cell shorting will exhibit what you have described. What happens is sediment from the battery charging builds up on the floor of the battery until it touches the bottom of a plate. This usually comes from using hard water in the battery fill when replenishing the lost water. You can load test the battery or not having a load tester, remove the positive lead from a fully charge battery for a day or two and test the retained voltage. If the voltage falls below 11.5 volts in two days then a cell in the battery is bad. If the battery retains it's voltage, then it is a drain from something on the bike as TopCat has described.

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              • #8
                re:battery going dead

                Thanks to everyone who responded. I'll check as you suggest.

                Kind regards

                TG

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