Battery Won't Charge...Ideas?

 

All:

This afternoon I went out to my SV650 and noticed that I accidentally left
the ignition in park for the last 48 hours.  This mode leaves the
taillight on and apparently it drained the battery; no life at all.

So I disconnect it and bring it in and connect it to my brand new battery
charger (had for a while, never used).  The charger registers AC power but
doesn't switch over to "Charging" mode.  I've tested the battery, it truly
is dead, and besides if it were not dead the charger would be in
"Maintain" mode, which it's not signaling either.  

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Justin

 

Justin wrote:


It's probably toast.

"The electrolyte inside a lead acid battery is usually in the form of
a liquid sulphuric acid. When batteries are left in a discharged
condition or are simply not used, the acid is absorbed by the lead
plates and a substance called lead sulphate is formed. The sulphate
forms an insulating layer on the plates which increases the internal
resistance of the battery and prevents it from drawing or delivering
current. It does not kill the battery completely though if it is
discovered early enough."
-- http://www.cbcdesign.co.uk/dcsupplyapril2002issue.htm

SQ

 



Lead acid batteries do not "like" to be deep cycled, i.e., discharged
down to zero.

If a lead acid battery is left in a discharged condition, lead sulfate
will form on the spongy lead plates, preventing charging currents from
penetrating deep into the plates.

You have a so-called "smart" charger, which is outsmarting *you*, as
it saves its internal circuitry for the easy jobs.

What you need to do, if you really want to find out if that battery is
salvageable, is to apply 20 to 25 volts from a manual battery charger
with adjustable voltage across the terminals for five minutes or so.

If current begins to flow into the battery, it's charging and you can
continue to charge it at about 18 volts for another five minutes, and
then reduce the
voltage to about 15 or 16 volts for half an hour.

If current keeps on flowing into the battery, you have broken through
the lead sulfate and it's turning back into electrolyte.

Then you can go ahead an use your so-called "smart" charger to finish
charging the battery.

 


: You have a so-called "smart" charger, which is outsmarting *you*, as
: it saves its internal circuitry for the easy jobs.

I suspected something to this effect.

: What you need to do, if you really want to find out if that battery is
: salvageable, is to apply 20 to 25 volts from a manual battery charger
: with adjustable voltage across the terminals for five minutes or so.

Blah, I don't have easy access to such a thing but I'll see if I can get
ahold of one.  Otherwise I guess I go shopping for a new battery.

Much appreciation to you and the other responders,
Justin

 

Justin wrote:


You don't need a battery charger capable of supplying 20 to 25 volts,
just a normal automotive battery charger, the cheapest you can find,
one that doesn't have too many "smarts" about it.

Something like this, about $35 at Wal-Mart or your local auto parts
store:

http://store.schumachermart.com/se-82-6.html

--
'07 FJR13AW  '99 EX250-F13
OMF #7