Why does it eat batteries?

[brucealmighty]

1982 XJ1100.
I got the OEM battery, Yuasa, so I know it's the right battery for that bike. Well, the first one lasted about two months. After a major kick-boxing match with the dealer that sold it to me, he agreed to replace it. Now, after just a few weeks, this battery won't hold a charge for more than one day. I have to constantly keep it on the trickle charger. Even after sitting for just 24 hours, it won't have enough juice to start the bike. I've checked the charging system and that is fine. Why won't this thing hold a charge?

[mitch]

Charging

Sounds like a drain someplace on your bike when its turned off . You might want to check the ground straps as well cause the charging system can work but if the neg isnt clean and making a good connection the battery wont stay up. I think there is also a ground strap from the motor to the frame but im not sure. HTH
Doug

[DiverRay]

You DID charge the battery per instructions BEFORE putting it into service, correct? If so, I would check ALL the connections. Start with the grounds, and DO NOT forget to pull the Reg/Rec and check the bottom side. I would then pull the headlight, and check the plug from the ignition switch. Look for signs of heating, clean things up, and use Dielectric Grease on ALL plugs.
Last, if you say it IS charging correctly, is to check the brushes on the alternator. The XJ has them, the rest of the XS models do not.

[brucealmighty]

I did recently replace the alternator brushes. It has to be running at least 2,500 rpms to be charging, but I'm told that's normal. The dealer said that he had the battery all prepped and ready to go when he sold it to me. There's got to be a drain going on somewhere. I could be the whole riding season trying to track it down, so I guess I'd better get started.

[DiverRay]

I would STILL go back and ask the MECHANIC at the dealer, see if HE put it on the charger...

[79XS11F]

Batteries can be killed by over charging as well as under charging. Check to confirm that the voltage regulator is indeed shunting extra voltage to ground at right around 14 volts.
Rob

[scalded dog]

after riding the bike, take the ground cable off, let it set overnight, hook it up the next day, if it starts the battery is fine, if not the battery is bad, then it would have to be the bike. Later 'Dog

[FJ111200]

Also, a worn ignition switch can drain a battery double quick.

[underdog57]

forgot how , but I think you unhook the ground cable and put an ammeter or test light between the ground cable and ground battery terminal....
With everything powered off ...it will show drain if lit ...

I was wondering about leaving the battery in and charging it up
over the winter . the battery did not hold a charge long at all..
A cheap bat ...so might get a better one ..
Bob

[brucealmighty]

Originally posted by 79XS11F
Batteries can be killed by over charging as well as under charging. Check to confirm that the voltage regulator is indeed shunting extra voltage to ground at right around 14 volts.
Rob

The float charger I'm using takes it up to 14.9 then keeps it there, so I'm assuming that's working correctly, yes?

[brucealmighty]

Originally posted by scalded dog
after riding the bike, take the ground cable off, let it set overnight, hook it up the next day, if it starts the battery is fine, if not the battery is bad, then it would have to be the bike. Later 'Dog

I'm thinking I'm going to remove the battery from the bike, fully charge it and let it sit overnight. If it's still fine the next day, then it can't be a problem with the battery and the problem is somewhere in the bike.

[Hammerhead1st]

Must be something in the water...

After putting my bike back together I find the battery will not hold a charge. Last night, I was riding the 20 miles home when the headlight went yellow, the tach dropped to zero, and 5 miles later it backfired a few times and died on the side of the road. Had SWMBO get out of bed at 12:30am, and come jump it with the van, then I put my battery jumper pack on it and rode home that way. My guess was a drain on the system, but now am thinking no charging from the generator. gonna go out and hook up a voltmeter and see what gives.

On another note...using the tips gleaned from this site, I successfully pulled my clutch, cleaned it up, replaced it, and put a new cable on. She's as smooth as silk and i actually enjoy clutching her now. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

[Hammerhead1st]

Voltmeter was fubar when I took it out of my tool box...apparently one of the kids found it and tried to plug it into the wall. That explains the glowing eyes and wild hair.

Went through the wiring and discovered my ground cable from the battery was corroded and decayed to the point that it broke apart when I moved it. Installed a new end and put it back on, unplugged the wires that feed the aux power connection on the fuse block. Fired it up and checked to see if the lights brightened with revs. In the daylight it was hard to tell but everything looked bright. They seemed to get brighter with revs, but I'll know more later on when it gets dark out. I keep a trickle charger at work so I can plug it in while Im working, so SWMBO might not have to come get me again at 12:30 or 1am.

Other than that, the bike's running awesome with the VMAX cans. It has minor leaks up front where I butchered the head holes beyond repair. Am planning a head job and gasket set nxt winter so I'll be riding it this season with leaks and all. She isn't perfect by any standards, but she's mine and I love her.

[brucealmighty]

As strange as it may seem, it really looks as though it was just another bad battery. After not being able to find anything obviously wrong with the electrical system, I bought another battery. Really steamed my clams, since I replaced the battery just 6 months ago. Then I laid out $80.00 to get the OEM Yausa, so that I would have the correct battery, made specifically for that bike. This time, I went to an auto parts store and bought a battery for $45.00. It's the same thing, except that it lacks the sensing unit, which I don't care about anyway. The bike is running great and the battery is holding a charge. Apparently motorcycle batteries just aren't expected to last very long. That's why they only come with a 90 day warranty.

[Hammerhead1st]

am thinking my battery is also a goner...nothing else seems to make sense. Will replace it when funds allow. Till then, I ride charger to charger