Battery testing question?

[RJP3579]

How does one load test a battery? I have a multi-meter. Bike is little over a year old and recently when I stop for gas and go to restart the bike, it is very hesitant to turn over the first time but then it will turn over and start just fine. It feels like it will not turn over when I hit the start button but then it turns and starts. I ride the bike to work all the time so it does not sit and only my GPS wired to the battery for accessories.

[JimVonBaden]

Autozone!

Or, if you insist, test your voltage with the bike off, then with the bike on, but not started, then turn on the lights. You should have a drop, but not too dramatic.

For instance you should be about 12.5Volts or more with no load, and not under 12V with the headlight on.

If that is good, have someone hit the start button while you watch the volts. If it drops below 11V, you likely have a week cell. If it drops below 10V you have a shorted cell.

Jim

PS All numbers are approximate, and depend on the charge level of the battery.

[redman]

Re-read your post, check all your grounds especially the one to/from your starter. A poor ground can give a lazy-start.
Check out this, good read on slow starter issue ----> http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/ss_101.htm

With a battery load tester, have seen them as cheep as $25 to $150. Saw a cool digital one for sale at Interstate battery in Woodbridge last week when I was buying some new batterys.

If your battery is older battery, non-maintenance free or non-gel cell, where you have access to the fluid you could use a hydrometer which measures the amount of sulferic acid in the electrolyte. Those are cheep and can be found in most auto stores.

Hope this helps.

Redman

[RJP3579]

Thanks all for the info. Will check when I get home. With the bike still under warranty, I hope that covers the battery as well but I figured I would check at home first before making an appointment at the dealer.

[JimVonBaden]

Battery warranty is good for 1 year.

If the dealer finds it bad and wont warrant it, make sure you either get a really good deal from them,unlikely, or buy your own. Buying your own will net you a much better battery, for half the cost, in general.

Jim

[RJP3579]

Battery warranty is good for 1 year.

If the dealer finds it bad and wont warrant it, make sure you either get a really good deal from them,unlikely, or buy your own. Buying your own will net you a much better battery, for half the cost, in general.

Jim

1 year....figures. If I need to buy one myself, I will get an Odyssey. Put one in my previous bike about two years ago.

[RJP3579]

On the way home, I stopped for gas and it did the same thing. I tested the battery when I got home with the assistance of my daughter. Scared the crap out of her when she hit the starter. Guess I should have warned her.
No load voltage was 13.04v
With key on was 12.58 volts.
When she hit the starter, it went down to 9.8v
We did this twice and numbers were basically the same.
Bad cell or something??

[JimVonBaden]

On the way home, I stopped for gas and it did the same thing. I tested the battery when I got home with the assistance of my daughter. Scared the crap out of her when she hit the starter. Guess I should have warned her.
No load voltage was 13.04v
With key on was 12.58 volts.
When she hit the starter, it went down to 9.8v
We did this twice and numbers were basically the same.
Bad cell or something??

May as well pick up another battery.

Jim

[radon222]

I thought the BMW batteries had a two year warranty? At least that's they told me at Bob's when I brought in my 29 month old stock battery with a dead cell

[JimVonBaden]

I thought the BMW batteries had a two year warranty? At least that's they told me at Bob's when I brought in my 29 month old stock battery with a dead cell

There is definitely a lot of misinformation out there. However, I believe it is one year. Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong though.

Jim

[radon222]

If I'm remembering right...and these days who knows... I think it was 2yrs on the OEM battery and 1 yr on an aftermarket brand.

[stevebmw]

BMW battery warranty is two years, unless there are signs of neglect (e.g., lack of fluid in a lead acid battery).

[JimVonBaden]

Light reading: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=509872

You can get another BMW battery, apparently for free, but expect to replace it again.

Jim

PS Steve, does BMW even use lead acid batteries any more? I know they do not on the R and K bikes.

[stevebmw]

PS Steve, does BMW even use lead acid batteries any more? I know they do not on the R and K bikes.

I believe they still come on the G 650 GS single, and they were used on the F 650 GS single and the F 650 CS. I imagine they're also still the stock replacement battery for older bikes like airheads.

[Georgeinva]

does BMW even use lead acid batteries any more? I know they do not on the R and K bikes.

61210403224 is the number you want 19ah $119.20 For R11xx K12LT K12RS and others.