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Message started by killsport on 01/10/15 at 18:19:38

Title: Battery shorting
Post by killsport on 01/10/15 at 18:19:38

had a great ride today and stopped to add fuel. Tried to start and nothing. No lights. No click. I have a battery tender on it, and I cant imagine that the battery went completely dead in an hour.
I was able to wiggle the red side of the battery connection and get lights but not enough juice to start. Managed to jump start and limp home. I don't want this to happen again. Any ideas on what my options are?
I was thinking I could put in a physically smaller/shorter battery in the same box. I would put in better insulation around the red terminal, but it is so tight in there even after taking off the seat... Suggestions? Anyone else have this issue? Know anyone who did?
Thanks! (2011 stock with 5500 miles)

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/10/15 at 19:16:34

Voltmeter,, know what the battery is.

Wiggled the red side? Was it LOOSE?

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by killsport on 01/10/15 at 19:21:47

It was loose. But it's the 3rd time it's come loose in 2 weeks. If I put in a shorter/smaller battery I can do some electrical tape to ensure no shorting. Or, is there something else I can do to avoid the loosening?

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by 12Bravo on 01/10/15 at 20:00:12

Use a star washer (lock washer) on the battery terminals if they are coming loose. I've never had a problem on my S40 but terminals coming loose is quite common on the Intruder/S50. I had to use star washers on my 88 750

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by gizzo on 01/10/15 at 20:29:26

There's a difference between a short circuit and an open circuit, y'know?
Shorting the red lead would cause the lead to melt and maybe burn your scooter down. A loose cable leading to an open circuit is a lot more benign and just stops you going somewhere ;)

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by killsport on 01/11/15 at 04:18:48

Which would cause a battery drain quickly? From an easy start to not even clicks... In less than an hour. Even when I wiggled and got lights.

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by bobert_FSO on 01/11/15 at 06:01:53

A short of the positive battery post to the frame (ground) would indeed make lots of sparks and heat, melt wiring and possibly catch something on fire.

An open connection (like when the connectors are not tight) can create a small amount of heat if the bad connection creates a point of high electrical resistance.

A bad or loose connection, in addition to not supplying enough current to run the bike, would also keep the bike or the tender from charging the battery.

Get your battery checked. It may be bad and not holding a charge. Also, if the battery charge is already low, a tender might not offer enough charging to charge it up to full voltage.

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by koehlerrk on 01/11/15 at 06:04:57

Any black spots on the battery terminal/cable? AKA, evidence of it shorting out/arcing.

Otherwise, you can charge the battery and let it sit for a couple hours, or overnight, then try starting it. After tightening all the cables of course. If it doesn't start, you have a battery to replace.

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by killsport on 01/11/15 at 09:37:27

No sign of black spots. When wiggling and trying to tighten I did get sparks. That's user error... The screwdriver hit some chrome.
I've charged the battery (via tender) and have screwed tightly all connections. I used some thread locker. Also, the rubber boot over the terminal connector has been taken off and I put electrical tape around it. It did start up and I rode it for 10 minutes. Turned it off and started again. Will let it sit for a few days without tendering to see if the battery holds.
Should I have any concern using the electrical tape instead of the boot?

Title: Re: Battery shorting
Post by Flint on 01/11/15 at 10:16:24

I have replaced old rotten rubber battery boots with self vulcanizing rubber tape. The stuff really sticks on well. The only bad thing about it that it's a bear to remove when you want to disconnect the battery.