Defective battery

[woodlandsprite]

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

As long as your mind is in the electron chasing mode, why not check out his battery and system. You don't say what type of bike or year he has. I suggest starting with checking the battery voltage, then check the connections for cleanliness.

I might check his when he gets back - he went off to the gym with it.

His bike is a 2010 BMW F800GS - when we last had the battery exposed, the connections all looked nice and clean. We keep both bikes on tenders.

[woodlandsprite]

Originally Posted by jct842

I have had the best luck with yuasa batteries.

Thanks for the tip My bike is still under warranty, so CSC will be getting a call on Monday....but I will keep Yuasa in mind for replacement battery when time comes for another new one!

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

His bike is a 2010 BMW F800GS - when we last had the battery exposed, the connections all looked nice and clean. We keep both bikes on tenders.

Ah, the RX3 look-a-like bike. If it's the original battery then it's 5-7 years old and coming due replacement. I say *7* because there is no way of knowing when the battery was made before finding it's home in the GS.

Regarding connections, there are other points to consider.
1. Where the negative cable is attached to the engine.
2. The positive side connections at both points on the starter solenoid.
3. The connection at the starter itself.

The saying goes "Keep them bright and keep them tight."

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

Thanks for the tip My bike is still under warranty, so CSC will be getting a call on Monday....but I will keep Yuasa in mind for replacement battery when time comes for another new one!

You definitely have a bad battey, Sprite. You were wise not to try push starting the RX3. It undoubtedly will not start with such a bad battery. If it did start, it certainly would not fix the defective battery, and you would likely be stranded somewhere.

You are also wise to take advantage of CSC's excellent warranty coverage. I'm sure you will promptly receive a good battery from them.

[Lee R]

They will replace under warranty.

My MG Stelvio had a bad battery in the first 100 miles and it costs 4x what the RX3 goes for, happens to everyone. It was a Yuasa btw.

[woodlandsprite]

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

Ah, the RX3 look-a-like bike. If it's the original battery then it's 5-7 years old and coming due replacement. I say *7* because there is no way of knowing when the battery was made before finding it's home in the GS.

Regarding connections, there are other points to consider.
1. Where the negative cable is attached to the engine.
2. The positive side connections at both points on the starter solenoid.
3. The connection at the starter itself.

The saying goes "Keep them bright and keep them tight."

Indeed, they are very much lookalikes and they look fantastic parked next to each other in the garage they are even both Orange!

Tested his battery, everything checks out good - but will keep in mind the connection points to check the next time I need to check either of our batteries!!

[AZRider]

Sprite,

CSC also replaced my battery under warranty, but I didn't want to have the problem again so I asked for an upgraded battery and only paid the cost difference. It was well worth it for the peace of mind of knowing that I would not be stranded on a lonely highway. Good luck.

[woodlandsprite]

Originally Posted by AZRider

Sprite,

CSC also replaced my battery under warranty, but I didn't want to have the problem again so I asked for an upgraded battery and only paid the cost difference. It was well worth it for the peace of mind of knowing that I would not be stranded on a lonely highway. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip George! I will definitely try for this option as well. If I got stuck stranded out in the desert some time that would be bad indeed.

[woodlandsprite]

New upgraded battery is on the way - they don't seem to list it on the online store, but I'm glad I had the tip to ask for it

Hopefully it will be here tomorrow and I can get it into the bike- then perhaps I can do some Thanksgiving riding before all the crazy shoppers get out on the roads....

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the update, Sprite.

[AZRider]

Sprite, my battery came charged, but I put it on the 2 amp cycle for a couple of hours just to make sure it was fully charged.

[Inroads]

I was curious as to who makes the upgrade battery ? Still Chinese right ?
What designates it as an upgrade besides the price ?

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by Inroads

I was curious as to who makes the upgrade battery ? Still Chinese right ?
What designates it as an upgrade besides the price ?

I don't recall the make of battery that Steve sent for my replacement (not going to go open it up to look right now, either) but I remember when I searched the web for it, most places were selling for over $120.

[Inroads]

I would pay an upgrade price for a Yuasa.Not so sure about anything else.
The dimensions of the 11 amp RX3 battery are odd which made it hard to duplicate dimensionally (in my search for one)

[woodlandsprite]

Originally Posted by AZRider

Sprite, my battery came charged, but I put it on the 2 amp cycle for a couple of hours just to make sure it was fully charged.

thanks George. Should I put it in the bike then just attach the tender, or should I attach the tender directly to the battery before putting it in the bike? Does it matter if I do not intend to turn the bike on until the tender says its fully charged?