camping???? (nklr)

[Jeff Saline]

On Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:10:58 -0500 Ron Criswell writes:

> > > Sent from my iPad > > I think my battery may be failing. What do I need to check that it > is going bad? Should I put it on my charger overnight before I check > it? > > Criswell

<><><><><><> <><><><><><> Ron, Put it on a charger at a low setting. It's probably a 14 amp hour battery so take the charge rate (probably 1 or 1 1/2 amps, shouldn't be more) and divide it into 14. That will tell you how long to get a full charge. An example is a 1 amp charge rate goes into 14, 14 times so charge at that rate for 14 hours. Adjust as needed for your particulars. Once the battery is off charge measure the voltage. It should be at least 12.6 volts. Then, to remove the surface charge either let the battery sit for 3 hours or so or put a small load on it for a few minutes. If the battery is in your bike you could just turn the key on so the headlight works for 3 minutes. That will be enough to remove any surface charge. Take another reading and see what the volts are. Should be at least 12.5 volts. Then turn on the key and read the volts again. Probably should be at least 12.3 volts but might be 12.2. Then, watch the voltmeter and crank the engine without starting the bike. (Draining the carb and leaving the petcock in the off position is an easy way to make this happen.) Crank for 15 seconds while watching the voltmeter. If the voltage drops below 9.6 volts during 15 seconds of cranking the battery is no good. I like to use 10.0 volts as even there it indicates the battery is on it's last legs and replacement should be in your plans. Of course, if you are using a lead acid battery and can adjust the fluid level you should do that before anything else and only add distilled water. If the battery tests good then you might want to test you bike's charging system. But remember you can't get accurate charging system test results if the battery isn't fully charged and in good condition. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650 . . . ____________________________________________________________ OVERSTOCK ipads: $30.93 Get 32GB Apple iPad for as low as $30.93. Limit 1.Day. Grab yours Now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/515378fe249678fd501bst01vuc

[Jud]

Criz, Jeff's advice is right on the money. The key is the cranking voltage. If it falls off too far, your battery may hold enough of a charge to start it if you leave it overnight, but if it sits much longer than that you may find yourself immobilized. To get a little insight into your charging system, note the voltage at idle, which shoild be in the neighborhood of 13.1 v. It should then rise with revs until the regulator cuts it off at around 14 v. As jeff says, this only holds with a good battery fully charged, but even with a dodgy battery, you can often find out if your charging system is functioning at all.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron Criswell wrote: > > > > Sent from my iPad > > I think my battery may be failing. What do I need to check that it is going bad? Should I put it on my charger overnight before I check it? > > Criswell >

[Bogdan Swider]

Bike wouldn't turn over. Battery showed 12.1 volts, which I guess is 50%. I didn't bother with a load test as it's a bit of a pain without an extra pair of hands but I'm betting it would be deficient in that area because  

I checked my records; the battery is 7 1/2 years old.  Until now, it's never failed to start the engine even though it's sat as much as 5 weeks when I've been out of country.  I've never had it on a charger because it always showed around 12.8 volts.

The battery was a Pro Core Mega Power, a sealed unit, I bought at Advance Auto Parts. I'd buy another but they're no longer available.

What kind of life are you guys getting out of your batteries ?

Bogdan

[Ateam]

I too am due for a new battery before winter.  Last battery I out in a few years ago, IIRC was a Wal-Mart battery.  I don t want to buy a $100 battery but was advised to buy a no maintenance sealed battery.   What say you Gurus? Ateam in New Mexico   [b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Thursday, August 14, 2014 11:18 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Battery    

Bike wouldn't turn over. Battery showed 12.1 volts, which I guess is 50%. I didn't bother with a load test as it's a bit of a pain without an extra pair of hands but I'm betting it would be deficient in that area because   I checked my records; the battery is 7 1/2 years old.  Until now, it's never failed to start the engine even though it's sat as much as 5 weeks when I've been out of country.  I've never had it on a charger because it always showed around 12.8 volts.   The battery was a Pro Core Mega Power, a sealed unit, I bought at Advance Auto Parts. I'd buy another but they're no longer available.   What kind of life are you guys getting out of your batteries ?   Bogdan    

[John Biccum]

I get about 5 years or so out of KLR batteries so celebrate getting such long service. I think there are two countervailing forces in play: The KLR overcharges batteries reducing battery longevity but KLRs don't require much current to start so even marginal batteries  will start bike reliably.  My more modern bikes are much less tolerant of marginal batteries. I'm using AGM batteries (e.g Odyssey PC545), they tend to work at full capacity then fail one day to hold ANY charge.  The lead acid "slosh" batteries seem to have a more gradual failure curve.From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: 8/ 14/ 2014 10:18 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Battery   Bike wouldn't turn over. Battery showed 12.1 volts, which I guess is 50%. I didn't bother with a load test as it's a bit of a pain without an extra pair of hands but I'm betting it would be deficient in that area because   I checked my records; the battery is 7 1/2 years old.  Until now, it's never failed to start the engine even though it's sat as much as 5 weeks when I've been out of country.  I've never had it on a charger because it always showed around 12.8 volts. The battery was a Pro Core Mega Power, a sealed unit, I bought at Advance Auto Parts. I'd buy another but they're no longer available. What kind of life are you guys getting out of your batteries ? Bogdan

[The entire original message is not included.]

[Martin Earl]

I got 80 miles out of the next-to-last battery I installed. shrug.m1

On Thu, Aug 14, 2014 at 11:18 AM, Bogdan Swider bSwider@... [DSN_KLR650] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> wrote: Bike wouldn't turn over. Battery showed 12.1 volts, which I guess is 50%. I didn't bother with a load test as it's a bit of a pain without an extra pair of hands but I'm betting it would be deficient in that area because I checked my records; the battery is 7 1/2 years old. Until now, it's never failed to start the engine even though it's sat as much as 5 weeks when I've been out of country. I've never had it on a charger because it always showed around 12.8 volts. The battery was a Pro Core Mega Power, a sealed unit, I bought at Advance Auto Parts. I'd buy another but they're no longer available. What kind of life are you guys getting out of your batteries ? Bogdan

[achesley43@ymail.com]

I quit tent camping at 62 as a gift to my body. I do still do the inline camper shell on my truck with the bike attached behind on certain occasions. My 71 year old body is good with that.  LOL!