New battery charging

[lurch12_2000]

I just bought a new Wallyworld battery for my new GS1000 and before I consider returning it, had a few questions for the experts.
Following the directions of filling it with the provided acid, let sit for an hour, and then charging for 3-8 hrs (4 hrs in my case), then sitting for an hour after I removed the 2 amp charger, it read at only 11.99-12.00 volts. I topped it off with water as instructed since it was at the lower mark. Thinking it should be holding around 12.55-12.70, I charged it for another 4 hrs. After a few more cycles of this over 2 days it never holds more than a 12.01 volt reading. It starts the bike without any problems, even after having to crank it a few times in the 10 degree garage.
I've used this same charger, brand battery and this initial procedure many times before without issue and always had around a 12.60v reading. Since it has a 30 day full warranty, do you think it's defective and should be returned?

 

[bwringer]

If it seems to spin the starter nice and speedy, I'd wonder about your meter. Got another you can try?

 

[spyug]

As its doing its job I might suspect your multimeter. Change the battery in it. I had that issue last year. The meter was always reading low against a new one I bought. Changing the battery fixed that.

If the battery doesn't charge up to better than 12.5 volts then it likely is defective according to what I read this morning in Tracy Martin's electical troubleshooting bible.

Maybe take it in and have them load test it to see.

Good luck with it.
Spyug

 

[bwringer]

I'd also see what it reads when the charger is hooked up. Depending on the type of charger, you should see voltage somewhat higher than your "target" voltage -- around 13.0 to 13.2 at least.

 

[lurch12_2000]

It does read around 13.30v when charging and I'm using the same multimeter on my ZG1000 battery that reads a healthy 12.55v on it's used battery. I will swap out the meter's battery to check, but as stated above, the multimeter seems perfectly functional otherwise.

 

[Nessism]

Could temperature be affecting the readings?

 

[waterman]

What temperature is the battery? Is it also at 10 degrees as your bike or did you check it at room temp? I am not sure it would make a lot of difference in voltage but temp does affect how well a battery produces electricity. Not trying to start discussion on thermodynamics, just wondering here. Likewise, a properly tuned engine will fire up at less voltage than poorly maintained engine.

A word of caution about charging battery, it can release potentially flammable Hydrogen gas so exercise caution if charging indoors, no flame nearby please. A friend on mine nearly burnt down his home from charging battery in basement garage. Please don't plug in and forget like my friend did.

 

[lurch12_2000]

Could temperature be affecting the readings?

I thought maybe, but both bikes in the same garage at the same cold temp and one reads 12.55v(used) and the other(new) only 12.01.

Usually when there's a bad cell it would read around 10v in my experience without the charger on.

 

[waterman]

I thought maybe, but both bikes in the same garage at the same cold temp and one reads 12.55v(used) and the other(new) only 12.01.

Usually when there's a bad cell it would read around 10v in my experience without the charger on.

Really grasping at straws here, when charging, bubbles will form on the plates, possibly affecting performance, maybe slam battery down on bench to release bubbles and check voltage again.

On second thought, screw it, take it back and try another one if daring. You know it will not get better voltage wise, come next march, april it will be dead and not start. Why spend more time farting with it. Just my humble opinion.

Can you tell it is slow work day when this many responses in a very short time? Merry Xmas to all!:dancing:

 

[Steve]

Can you tell it is slow work day when this many responses in a very short time?

Slow work day? :-k

How about a NO work day? :-\\\

By the way, 9 replies in less than an hour is good, but not a record.

.

 

[waterman]

Slow work day? :-k

How about a NO work day? :-\\\

By the way, 9 replies in less than an hour is good, but not a record.

.

I am just happy I don't have to work tomorrow. Until this year, I had to work X mas if it fell during my then "normal" work week. Promotions are good for some things.

 

[Big T]

You may not have let it sit long enough before charging

1 hour is nominal, 4 hours is better at regular temps

Did you read BassCliff's battery tutorial??

The cold most likely affected the plates ability to absorb the acid, and you will never get more than the 12V you're showing

 

[lurch12_2000]

Work day here....maybe slow, yes.
But I'm farting around with it because I expect to ride it through the winter months up here in the cold and expect it to perform. ...also doing valve adjustments, intake o-ring replacement, carb synch, charging system check, brake fluid changes, new tires, replace h-bars, blah, blah.....$...$....$....$....0
BTW, I do tilt the battery carefully from side to side after charging, to release the bubbles and recheck the fluid level.
All good suggestions and thanks, but sounds like I'll bring it back to WalMart soon for an exchange while I can....well, maybe when the shopping crowd thins a little!

 

[lurch12_2000]

You may not have let it sit long enough before charging

1 hour is nominal, 4 hours is better at regular temps

Did you read BassCliff's battery tutorial??

The cold most likely affected the plates ability to absorb the acid, and you will never get more than the 12V you're showing

Good thought, but the initial 2 charges were done at room temp(60) in the basement.

No I didn't read the manual....who RTFM?*...btw, 1 hour is what the instructions that came with the battery say.

 

[lurch12_2000]

....By the way, 9 replies in less than an hour is good, but not a record.

.

You shouldn't count the OT section for the record books!

 

[detorn]

This is a little off topic, but if you do decide to return the battery get a maintenance free (AGM) one. I just got one and it is awesome. It threw a 12.9 out of the box and hooked right up. After a couple days not running because of the blizzard, the bike still started right up.

No need to play with acid or do voodoo with shaking bubbles out. No need to charge before use if its new enough... Just my two cents worth.

 

[goatboy]

Anyone know if there is a link to AGM vs "wet" batteries discussion? (I know - I haven't searched yet before asking
I have a battery buying decision to make soon, too.

 

[pontiacstogo]

Anyone know if there is a link to AGM vs "wet" batteries discussion? (I know - I haven't searched yet before asking
I have a battery buying decision to make soon, too.

I don't know anyone that's bought a good AGM that has regretted the decision. They crank faster, hold their charge longer and require zero maintenance. I have 4 Big Cranks in different makes and models of bikes; the oldest one was bought back in 2004 and it's still going strong.

http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX15L-Battery.html

 

[lurch12_2000]

After a few more days with readings of only 11.88-11.97, I returned the battery to Walmart but they didn't have any more correct size ones in stock for an exchange. Only problem was they didn't still have my old battery and after explaining that even though they refunded me my $40 for the defective battery and had previously refunded the $9 old battery fee, they were still shorting me my old battery to use when I buy another battery elsewhere. I gave up debating with the clerk and her manager to somehow correct this and I will just have eat it or find another old battery around the garage to get my recycle fee back elsewhere (who will tack it on to that purchase price).

 

[duaneage]

Get a battery from www.tristatebattery.com

Free shipping over 50 dollars and they have good batteries, not the junk at autozone or walmart.

BTW don't add tap water to a battery, it can contaminate the plates and shorten it's life. Only distilled water and not too much of that either.