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Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:38 am
by gel9001
Hope this question doesn't sound to dumb My 2004 is up for a replacement of its gel battery, but I was hoping to put it off till end of summer, but recently especially this morning I've noticed the headlight is quite dim. Would this be a simple indication that battery is weak.
I hooked up a volmeter to it a few weeks ago and it read over 12 volts, but with starter cranking, voltage dropped to 9.5 volts.
thanks for any suggestions, with this dim headlight I'm very concerned that the battery can go at any time.
thanks,
Gene
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:56 am
by Buckster
I would charge the battery and then check it again. It's probably on it's way out though with the voltage that low.
My bike is an '03 with the original battery and it's still going good.
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:21 am
by gel9001
Well I don't think I have to charge my battery, since I ride everyday and alternator handles that.
My dilema is do I buy a battery tonight or will it hold till Saturday.
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:31 am
by Arbee
Batteries are completely impersonal things and will breakdown when and where they want
no matter how much wishing or cussing from the owner will change their path of unsympathetic decline..
Personally i think that you are measuring the wrong things, measure the battery voltage whilst the engine
is running not cranking.
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:32 am
by Boxer
Well I don't think I have to charge my battery, since I ride everyday and alternator handles that.
Only true, of course, if your alternator is functioning properly or the belt is tight enough and not slipping.
The battery going down like that under load is a sign of something amiss. Al will know about this battery stuff....
Paging Boxermania!
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:36 pm
by Airman
Boxer wrote:Well I don't think I have to charge my battery, since I ride everyday and alternator handles that.
Only true, of course, if your alternator is functioning properly or the belt is tight enough and not slipping.
The battery going down like that under load is a sign of something amiss. Al will know about this battery stuff....
Paging Boxermania!
Don't wait too long.
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:53 pm
by towerworker
Seems like I remember CycleRob saying one time that the battery voltage should not drop below 10 volts or so while cranking. I may be incorrect but at any rate your battery is 4 years old. My 04's went this past December. No real advance warning. You would not be hurting yourself at all to go ahead and replace it. Would probably save some embarrassment and agravation later.
Wayne
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:43 am
by KHaynes
If your battery is over three years old it owes you nothing so don't feel too bad about replacing it.
If the "state of battery charge" is poor you will often see your headlight brightness increase as you rev the engine.
Beware... batteries can die very quicky.
Re: Weak headlight=weak battery
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:51 pm
by Eqyn Dad
I replaced my 3.5 year OEM battery this weekend with an Odyssey; really wasn't any big deal - just had to bend the positive terminal flat for a better fit and add an extension to the negative side.
Upon starting I noticed 2 things immediately: the starter turned much faster and the headlight was definitely brighter with NO fading upon revving.
...replace that OEM battery, it will be worth it. I found the Odyssey shipped free for $131.