Where has all the electrolyte gone.. When will I ever learn

[conquest87tsi]

Over the past couple weeks my battery seemed to be getting weaker. Instead of checking and filling the water, I just put a trickle charger on it at 1amp for the last few days. Would hardly start. Checked the battery and all the cels are empty.

So this is a sign of over charging. I do periodically put the charger on it, put always only 1amp.

My question is, is this due to the level normally evaporating and then me exasperating the problem by charging it when it was just low on water?
Or is it a sign that I have a regulator problem?

I just want to know before I through an $80 battery at it, but I'm pretty sure I can bring the current one back to life as it will crank it and start it..barely.

[skids]

1 amp charging for extended periods is excessive. It is not really trickle charging. Distilled water is all you should add (not more acid.) You might also check your charging at 4000 rpms to see if your volt regulator is wonkey.

[motoman]

My question is, is this due to the level normally evaporating and then me exasperating the problem by charging it when it was just low on water?
Or is it a sign that I have a regulator problem?

Maybe all three, but top battery off with distilled water ONLY, then on charger @1amp for half a day. After which crank it over to remove the 'surface' charge, THEN check voltage with meter. Then check voltage with meter while cranking it over. Anything below 10.5V while cranking, replace battery. Acouple 'shortcuts' taken to confirm good or bad battery, but this WILL tell the tale.

[fredintoon]

Free distilled water

If the store is closed and/or you just can't wait; the ridges of frost that have grown in your deep freeze are pure water condensed from the air.
Chip them off into a glass bowl and melt them in your microwave set to defrost.

[BA80]

The water in your battery wiil evaporate particulaly in the summer heat. Even a sealed battery is NOT completely sealed. Never buy a "Maintanence Free" battery because there is no such thing. Only ones you CAN'T refill when they get low.

[madmax-im]

The water in your battery wiil evaporate particulaly in the summer heat. Even a sealed battery is NOT completely sealed. Never buy a "Maintanence Free" battery because there is no such thing. Only ones you CAN'T refill when they get low.

I went to a sealed battery when I discovered how much battery acid leaked out and stained my chromed muffler...havent looked back and have never had a problem with a sealed battery...YMMV

[BA80]

I used a sealed battery ONCE and it leaked all over my muffler AND the back of my engine and then went it's own #ucking way and I couldn't even refill it and try to recharge.

I'll stick with the one that works.

I will show you the etching on my engine in NC.

[madmax-im]

I used a sealed battery ONCE and it leaked all over my muffler AND the back of my engine and then went it's own #ucking way and I couldn't even refill it and try to recharge.

I'll stick with the one that works.

I will show you the etching on my engine in NC.

I dont doubt you Greg...

[jetmechmarty]

I have an AGM battery too. I'm too lazy to keep up with checking the electrolyte. My XS650 has an AGM battery that's been in it since 2004. For me, it has worked out fine. The likely reason my Wal-Mart batteries failed is because I killed them.

[T99Ford]

Hmmm...no water leaking out of my Shorai Lithium Iron Phosphate battery!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

[Eveready1100]

Just curious, Conquest. How long had it been since you last checked the electrolyte level in the battery? Depending on the current drawn (eg brighter headlight bulbs,driving lights, heated gear), the level will drop slowly when full, but once the plates are exposed, they heat up and the electrolyte just boils off at an increasing rate the further down the level gets.
Usually, once a battery has emptied itself, it's toast.

[BA80]

I have an AGM battery too. I'm too lazy to keep up with checking the electrolyte. My XS650 has an AGM battery that's been in it since 2004. For me, it has worked out fine. The likely reason my Wal-Mart batteries failed is because I killed them.

Hmmm...no water leaking out of my Shorai Lithium Iron Phosphate battery!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

OK, that'll teach me to specify ........sealed WET cell batteries.

[ManagerMike]

Here's a tip; remove open and drain the battery, rinse it out repeatedly with water, vigorously shaking it between drainings, until you get clean clear water back out of it, then refill it with fresh battery acid, this nets you 80-90 % charge level right away, and a trickle charge will finish it up. Most auto part stores will have acid on hand, if not in bulk, at least in a quart size container for just a few bucks.
This process "reconditions" the battery and will get you at least one more season out of it before you have to pony up the better part of a C-note for a new one. This also works for car batteries and marine deep cycles as well but as I said, it only buys another year or so.

P.S. skin and eye protection strongly advised.

[TopCatGr58]

One of the problems I've had is being able to check/see the fluid level in the battery while it's IN the bike, the battery box, rear wheel fender and such are in the way, you can't get a flashlight behind it to see it, and folks with OEM airboxes can't see the front either. And you HAVE to take the friggin's seat off to get to the cell caps from the top to try to check it there, so folks usually have to PULL the battery OUT to check it. Hence the XJ's water level sensor warning light device!

I've got POD air filters, so I can SEE the front side of the battery, and so I've just come up with an idea to allow me to be able to visualize the levels WITHOUT having to take the seat off, or take the battery out of the bike.

I've been doing some research on other types of LED lights, ie. strip lights for accent lighting and such, and they make the SMD type of LED's surface mount on FLEXIBLE strips. SO....I'm thinking of mounting a strip of them just BEHIND the battery box so the light shines INTO the battery at the top, and hopefully they will be bright enough for me to be able to see the water/electrolyte level from the front side without taking it out.

Now, of course, IF the fluid is LOW, then I'll still need to pull the seat or pull the battery to be able to access the cell caps and refill, but if they are up to proper level, then it'll be just a quick glance to check!

T.C.

[BA80]

I just pull the seat and take the caps off and look inside it ain't that big a deal. I have a stock airbox on mine so it is pretty tight but I can see the 2 or 3 cells on the left side with just the sidecover off. They are usually a pretty good indication whether or not I need to pull the seat.

BTW, just a side note; A syringe for injecting juices into BBQ or roasted meats works great for filling the battery in the bike. You can get one at the grocery store for a couple of bucks.

It also works great for measuring shock oil when your rebuilding your forks.