Being a numpty when it comes to BEC batteries, can anyone enlighten me as to the following:

Got my battery about 2 years ago, but never did anything with it.

Recently checked it at 4v.

Left it on the Optimate for a couple of days, but it wasn't happy at first, showing the red (knackered battery) light. Teased it a few times switching the Optimate on and off and then the orange (charge) light stayed on for 2 days.

Battery is now at about 12.75 volts, but when you leave the multimeter across the terminals, you can see the volts slowly creeping down about .01 of a volt a minute.

Is this merely because of the multi meter or a knackered battery?

What's the normal maintenance procedure for such batteries?

Ta,

Pat...

Bike batterys really dont like being unused,
It may be knackerd,

Steve.

They say that they can recover batteries as low as 3v CTEK

In my experience bike batteries are like Italian women- if you ignore them for even a few minutes they go and sulk and refuse to play anymore.....
Guess it's new battery time. You may as well leave it on Optimate to see if you can resurrect it but its unlikely (regardless of what the Optimate manafacturers tell you!).

Dispose of it sensibly, it's f**ked. They don't last months without charge usually never mind years.

I just killed a 10 month old £80 oddessey, by leaving it too long without tlc My advice, leave the optimate plugged in at all times, which is what i should have done. Bike sized batteries suck, bigtime.

Al.


Originally posted by Avoneer
Being a numpty when it comes to BEC batteries, can anyone enlighten me as to the following:

Got my battery about 2 years ago, but never did anything with it.

Recently checked it at 4v.

Left it on the Optimate for a couple of days, but it wasn't happy at first, showing the red (knackered battery) light. Teased it a few times switching the Optimate on and off and then the orange (charge) light stayed on for 2 days.

Battery is now at about 12.75 volts, but when you leave the multimeter across the terminals, you can see the volts slowly creeping down about .01 of a volt a minute.

Is this merely because of the multi meter or a knackered battery?

What's the normal maintenance procedure for such batteries?

Ta,

Pat...

Without TLC they don't last very long Pat... most people who have tried to reclaim a dormant Bike battery have been found wanting.

Doncaster Motorcycle Spares are cheap enough, should see you with a decent battery for £25. Just don't leave it without a charger for very long...

Steve

Cheers all.

Left the optimate on and now it's showing a green light.

Will see how I get on as i will be starting the car for the 1st time this month and then get a new one if it even remotely sulks.

Pat...

blimey, how long ago did I sell you that engine! The poor thing will have forgotten which way to turn over!

left ours for a similar time needed charging
and draining a few times but recovered.

try again before ditching

Hi Chris,

Yep - been a long time hasn't it !!!!!

Having a baby, moving house and starting a self build extension hasn't helped either.

Should have finished the wiring by the end of the week.

I WILL be on the road this summer.

Pat...