Motobatt not charging

[Voltaire]

I've got a motobatt in my 1983 BMW and its about 3 months old. Had not used it for a month and just got dim lights and starter clicking.
Jump started it and charging voltage was 13.5 with revs about 1500.
Clearly a 20 min run on the motorway was not enough as stopped and would not start.
Put battery on charger, selected AGM and left it till the lights said it was charged.
13.3 volts, and started a few times no issue.
Rode to testing station and same thing happened, dead.:doh:
Hmmmmmm
Any wise thoughts?
Its not a 'smart' battery I would have thought, just the acid is suspended in glass matt...what can go wrong?

I bought it from an on line trader on TradeMe so could be interesting to see how customer service goes there.

[BuzzardNZ]

been through a couple of motobatts myself after having left the bike alone for a few weeks to a month.
I tried charging it after I'd flattened it, but it never held the charge.

Long story short, don't leave it unattended for long periods of time and it will last.

[nodrog]

Some of the motor batts just fuck out, take it back, they should just replace it.

[nadroj]

There was a bad bath a while ago.

[nodrog]

There was a bad bath a while ago.

this is a bad bath

304348

[AllanB]

Warranty it.


I've had the same one for 5 years - gets irnored for a few weeks often, never a issue.

[AllanB]

Warranty it.


I've had the same one for 5 years - gets ignored for a few weeks often, never a issue.

[pete376403]

I'm on to my second motobatt, model MBTX14AU, both fail to hold a charge. The first one lasted about a year, the second one was purchased in May 2013. Been on charge for two days, charge rate 1.3 amps and the earth lead is disconnected so no drain path. When the charger was removed the battery voltage was about 13.2. Now a day later its down to 10.5.

The bike does have fairly long periods of non-use, but I've been pretty good about putting the charger on from time to time.

There is a code number stamped into the top of the battery, I'm guessing it is a batch number. Any idea what the faulty batch numbers are/were?

Edit: Motobat sell their own charger http://www.motobattasia.com/Batteries%20Chargers-fat%20boy.html able to "rescue" flattened batteries

[FJRider]

I've got a motobatt in my 1983 BMW and its about 3 months old ...

You bought it CHEAP ... right .. ??? :shutup:

YAUSA ... I've never had problems.

[Voltaire]

You bought it CHEAP ... right .. ??? :shutup:

YAUSA ... I've never had problems.

YAUSA....... is that like Adidoes?

I thought I'd give the new technology a go...batteries you can post.

They said to send it back 'for testing"

I tested it again tonight, shows 13.3 on the meter, then press the starter and 5 volts...

[Mort]

I've bought three MotoBatt batteries for various bikes. They all failed after a year. Never again. Rubbish.

[FJRider]

YAUSA....... is that like Adidoes?

I thought I'd give the new technology a go...batteries you can post.




The Yausa in my FJ1200 sat unused for six months. The battery was fitted 14 months previous.

It fired straight up within two seconds of the engine being turned over.

The (your) problem will be one of two things ...

1: The battery.

2: The Bike.

What's YOUR guess ... ???

[nzspokes]

Got a Motobatt out of my girls track bike, not been touched for I think a year or so. Used it to start my Maxima. Then it did duty in the mower, with charges between. Now is back in the track bike cranking it over while I sort carb issues.

I think they are good.

[pete376403]

YAUSA....... is that like Adidoes?

I thought I'd give the new technology a go...batteries you can post.

They said to send it back 'for testing"

I tested it again tonight, shows 13.3 on the meter, then press the starter and 5 volts...

Digital meter? That will show 12 -13v even if the battery is flat as a wet turd. Needs a battery load tester to show the real state.

[Howie]

Had a Motobatt in mine for 3-4 years without a problem. Bike has sat for up to three months without use and starts straight away. I haven't checked the voltage though.....

[IkieBikie]

I've got a motobatt in my 1983 BMW and its about 3 months old. Had not used it for a month and just got dim lights and starter clicking.
Any wise thoughts?


You should make sure you ride once a month with a ride between 3-5 hours including stops. rain or shine

Might see you Sunday if your at Hampton Downs.

cheers

[Big Dog]

YAUSA....... is that like Adidoes?

I thought I'd give the new technology a go...batteries you can post.

They said to send it back 'for testing"

I tested it again tonight, shows 13.3 on the meter, then press the starter and 5 volts...

Are you sure it's not your starter that is poked?

That sounds an awful lot like a cooked starter solenoid to me.

Plug a known good battery in, or jump off of a car battery out of the car of course. Let the motor get hot. Then try another couple of starts. I it is significantly slower your solenoid or starter are overheating.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Grubber]

You bought it CHEAP ... right .. ??? :shutup:

YAUSA ... I've never had problems.

Have to agree, i've had my Yuasa in the trumpy since new for 7 years and i'm about to change it this year. Not bad i thought.

[Voltaire]

Are you sure it's not your starter that is poked?

That sounds an awful lot like a cooked starter solenoid to me.

Plug a known good battery in, or jump off of a car battery out of the car of course. Let the motor get hot. Then try another couple of starts. I it is significantly slower your solenoid or starter are overheating.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Put some jumper leads on it and fires up first time.
Dropped the battery back and they are going to test it.

[Voltaire]

You should make sure you ride once a month with a ride between 3-5 hours including stops. rain or shine

Might see you Sunday if your at Hampton Downs.

cheers

I do ride just only have one full rego on the road at a time.
Weather looks good for HD.

[Big Dog]

My question would be does it kill a jumper battery over a few starts. Not one.

Faulty starters have put me in a place where mechanics have talked me into a new battery several times, any time they don't know the answer some people just point a the most likely FRU and start charging for replacement parts until the answer is found.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[SILVER SUZI]

My Motobatt died just outside one year. Replaced it with a LI battery from the importer(on here). They are seriously lightweight if that is of interest. I.E. If you are racing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[awayatc]

Lead acid batteries arent exactly high tech........

if your system is charging over 13.8 v though it will cook your battery real quick....regardless which brand they are.

if your battery gets flat and stays flat for any length of time.....
or it doesnt charge at 13.8 v it will also not live long.....

so maybe check electrical system when battery dies.....

( got motobatt in Beemer and Harley myself.....)

[Voltaire]

Got email from supplier and its faulty , so sending me a new one.

Cheers Moto One:niceone:

[nzspokes]

Rich at Motoone is a really good sort.

[nodrog]

But I thought its your charging system, starter motor, cigarette lighter, heated vest plug that was faulty?

[Voltaire]

But I thought its your charging system, starter motor, cigarette lighter, heated vest plug that was faulty?

Could have been the heated slippers and pipe lighter.:lol:

Does your sidecar have heated grips?

[nodrog]

Could have been the heated slippers and pipe lighter.:lol:

Does your sidecar have heated grips?


Im about to check the MNZ rule book, what a good idea!

[Voltaire]

Im about to check the MNZ rule book, what a good idea!

Swingers don't like cold hands:lol:

[Flip]

I have had one in for 18 months and so far it has been good.

The previous battery lasted 8 years and it was slowly loosing its CCA capacity. The HD does draw some amps when the bike is off and goes flat in 4 weeks.

[Sable]

Motobatts are great, use them in all my bikes and recommend them to others. The problem is when people use their motorcycles as big toys.

[Owl]

The problem is when people use their motorcycles as big toys.

WTF does that mean?:confused:

[Big Dog]

With very few exceptions motor vehicles are designed and optimised to be run frequently.
Using something designed this way infrequently means you get a less than optimal experience.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

All though I suppose he could mean motorcycles are problematic if you try to use them as a butt plug.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[pete376403]

Took both of the Motobatts back to TSS for second opinions. They spent a couple of days on the battery reconditioner - the older one was definitely stuffed but the newer one (18 months) seemed to come up better - charged up to 12.8v and appeared t be holding up under test, but still came up as a fail on the motobatt tester. TSS gave me really good discounts on a new motobatt and an Oxford Oximiser battery tender - the two costing less than the normal retail of the battery.
Hopefully third time lucky.

Also going to look at getting a shidengen mosfet regulator to try and improve the power quality going into the battery

[mossy1200]

Took both of the Motobatts back to TSS for second opinions. They spent a couple of days on the battery reconditioner - the older one was definitely stuffed but the newer one (18 months) seemed to come up better - charged up to 12.8v and appeared t be holding up under test, but still came up as a fail on the motobatt tester. TSS gave me really good discounts on a new motobatt and an Oxford Oximiser battery tender - the two costing less than the normal retail of the battery.
Hopefully third time lucky.

Also going to look at getting a shidengen mosfet regulator to try and improve the power quality going into the battery

This thread convinced me I needed a shorai.

[caseye]

Both of mine are still going strong, cheers Ed! 2 years and counting.

[FJRider]

Also going to look at getting a shidengen mosfet regulator to try and improve the power quality going into the battery

Why not spend the money on a decent battery .. ?? :scratch:

[pete376403]

Yes, well there is that. But the lithiums are pretty expensive and if I did purchase one of those then more than ever I'd want to make sure that the regulator was a good un. THe shindengen kits are only $US129. At the moment I'm getting Motobatts pretty cheap.

[FJRider]

At the moment I'm getting Motobatts pretty cheap.

How many cheap batteries do you need to buy ... before it gets expensive .. ???

A decent battery is a reliable battery. Reliability doesn't always come at a high price ...

[Owl]

This thread convinced me I needed a shorai.

Yeah righto.:rolleyes:

[Edbear]

This thread convinced me I needed a shorai.

Nice fit, mate!


Both of mine are still going strong, cheers Ed! 2 years and counting.

I've had racers telling me all going great after three years in their race bikes, even in total loss systems. I replaced one out of a Mitsi Evo rally car after three years and he was chuffed to bits!


Yeah righto.:rolleyes:

Hey, everyone needs one... :innocent:

[pete376403]

What price Shorai to replace Motobatt MBTX14AU? Or if theres a smaller Lith battery that provides equivalent CCA, I could always use the space for something

[mossy1200]

What price Shorai to replace Motobatt MBTX14AU? Or if theres a smaller Lith battery that provides equivalent CCA, I could always use the space for something

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/batteries-mounts/auction-800848184.htm

Theres a few on here can supply them maybe a bit cheaper.

[Edbear]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/batteries-mounts/auction-800848184.htm

Theres a few on here can supply them maybe a bit cheaper.

The batteries are not directly comparable this way. If you pop onto www.shoraipower.com and enter the bike details it will tell you which battery to use. Platinum Wheels is one of my most successful dealers but you could also get hold of Biggles, Jellywrestler or Merv at Kiwistars.

[mossy1200]

The batteries are not directly comparable this way. If you pop onto www.shoraipower.com and enter the bike details it will tell you which battery to use. Platinum Wheels is one of my most successful dealers but you could also get hold of Biggles, Jellywrestler or Merv at Kiwistars.

LFX14L5 might be the one if its his GS1100.
I think its a taller slim fit.
I have a 18amp battery when the bike was originally 30 but the k100 had a lot of extras and the café racer has none.
Also the 270 cranking amps is the same as the stock 30amp battery. Just wont crank over for as long.