New battery the best option?

[RoGuE]

Hi,

I've had my firestorm for a couple of weeks now and the only real issue i'm having is the battery dying on me.

The previous owner of the bike only put about 500 miles on it over 3/4 years and the bike is fitted with an alarm, so i'm hoping the battery has just slowly been getting drained by the alarm when not in use and a new one will solve my problems.

The battery never seems to go completely dead over the weekend - it's just not giving quite enough power to get the engine started... but then after several attempts to start i end up needing a jump and the bike starts immediately.

I've read a lot since getting the bike about the battery / alternator / rectifier issues and i've not experienced anything like what people say happens to them when they have the rectifier issue, so hopefully not related to that.

Do you think that simply buying a new battery would fix this? I see some people saying to get a 12Ah battery to give it a bit more kick.

Any input appreciated.

[agentpineapple]

if you can discount all the other issues, then get an upgraded battery, I use a 14Ah motobatt battery, but be aware that if it's the reg/rec it will damage a new battery very quickly.
if you go with a larger battery, you will find it's a very tight fit, and you might not be a blt to fit the battery lid, not a major issue. another option is the stick coil conversion, makes the bike more eager to start.
have you checked your starter motors connection with the main power cable, if that's corroded then it's bad news, but I can sell you a refurbished motor at a very reasonable price.....

[sirch345]

A bike alarm can drain a battery over time and make starting your bike just as you describe. However I would be surprised with it only being left for a weekend it would make that much of a difference to the starting.

I would suggest checking the heavy cable connection on the starter motor first (as Agentpineapple suggests). If you need to remove the heavy duty cable to clean the connection, try not to turn the bolt, as this can break the insulator inside the starter motor. I would also check out what voltage readings you are getting at the battery when the bike is running using a multi-meter before replacing the battery.

If you do end up getting a new battery, a bigger amp hour one is a good modification, I myself like Yuasa OEM.


Chris.

[RoGuE]

Thanks

My only doubt about it being linked to the starter motor is that it starts instantly when i've jumped it connected to my car?

I have put it on a charge and it went from Charging to Fully Charged within 2 minutes - this is what's making me think the battery simply isn't fully charging now?

I'll have a look into the coil conversion and test the current battery!

[Pete.L]

Classic symptoms of an old, tired battery.
Especially when it's still cold out the problem gets worse. I would suggest a new battery and then treat yourself to a battery maintenance charger.
i've got about eleven years out of my battery so far by keeping it on an optimate.
It's ready for a change now but I can't complain after that length of time

Pete.l

[chric]

Batterys no good had same issues as said get a charger aswell

[bazzashadow]

got one of these on my bike and it starts every time and when stood for awhile it will turn it over and over etc
battery is 3-4 years old now
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/4w-solar-briefcase-n05hn
must be this amp and style, my mate had the cheaper one (2amp) and it was useless

use one on my pigeon magnet battery as well
would recommend to everyone

[Saintsman27]

That is an interesting solution to the battery charging problem... ? .. can I ask
how you connect it up to the battery.. ? can you rig it up to an optimate
plastic style spade connector , I have an optimate charger which is very good
but away from home this could be useful. I see that it has clips
but a connector would be better.

[bazzashadow]

That is an interesting solution to the battery charging problem... ? .. can I ask
how you connect it up to the battery.. ? can you rig it up to an optimate
plastic style spade connector , I have an optimate charger which is very good
but away from home this could be useful. I see that it has clips
but a connector would be better.

I have done exactly what you have asked
I have got the optimate fitting on my bike and have put my own end on the solar (brought them of fleebay)
so it is just a matter of plugging it in when I get home
also mine is not in the direct sun all day (only about half the day) but this does not matter, just daylight will do

[RoGuE]

With having the alarm, i want to get something bigger than the standard battery.

This should fit ok shouldn't it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Yuasa ... 4631588e33