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My battery was working great. I had not had any issues whatsoever. Instead of heeding the wisdom of "if it aint broke don't fix it", I thought I'd do some "winter maintenance". I pulled the battery and pulled the caps. I could not see any liquid, so I assumed the battery was a little low. In the past, I've topped off batteries with distilled water, but my battery says right on it DO NOT ADD WATER. ONLY ADD BATTERY ACID. So I purchased some acid and topped off the cells to where I could see the liquid. Then for good measure, I put the battery on my auto-charger for about a day on the low setting.

Ever since doing this, the cold battery does not have enough spit to start the bike. I have to jump start it. Once started and warmed up, the bike starts the rest of the day but I can tell it is weak.

What did I do wrong?

Do you think I could pour some acid out and add water and charge and resolve this issue? Or have I permanently damaged the battery?

I'm not afraid to buy a new battery, just wondering what I did wrong. The timing of the failure indicates this is my fault rather than normal wear.

You still have all of that battery acid you bought? If not, I still have mine. I would pour out ~all~ of the old acid, and refill with fresh. Not sure if the battery can be saved, but this might do it. For good measure, shake the battery before you pour out the old acid. This will suspend the particulate matter that is residing on the bottom of the case.


If the battery can't be saved here is where I found great prices on car and MC batteries in the past. Call ahead and the battery will be charged and ready to go.

http://www.wholesalebatteries.net/


To answer "what did I do wrong", you may have done nothing wrong. As batteries age, particulate matter builds up on the bottom. Also, the plates don't regenerate at equal rates all over. Eventually you get a short within one of the six cells. Each cell is about 2.2 V. Drop one, and your 13 V battery drops to 11.

My guess is that the "Don't add water" was intended for the initial filling, when the battery was new. As a battery charges, the water is electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen gasses. Some of it evaporates as well. The hydrogen sulfide (that when mixed with water makes sulfuric acid) doesn't evaporate off or turn into a gas. Now, if you tip a battery over and spill the acid, then it needs replaced with acid. Usually these batteries are sealed up good enough, and the vent hose is small enough, that very little leaks out. Even when you are flopping on the ground at Hemphill's!

I have a farm and some very heavy equipment. I have been buying all my batteries from them for years. http://www.wholesalebatteries.net/

Very good prices and they remember me when I come in.
They even had a battery for my TS75!!



jm2c...

Thanks to both of you for the Wholesales Batteries recommendation. They will have my battery ready by noon today. About $55 compared with $85 at NAPA and about $90 at the motorcycle dealer.

I'm going to get the new battery because I don't want to mess around and end with an unrideable machine this weekend. I'm also going to try Mike's idea of replacing all the acid in my old battery--since I have all that acid anyway.

Troy ask them about your old one and the new acid thing. If anybody would know if it would work it would be them...
I myself HATE to be stranded and bad batteries have been the #1 cause. no matter what the equipment. Heavy EQ gets a beating but Wholesales Batteries keeps me ticking!!!



Sorry I just couldn't help myself....

If you get a new one, get a sealed gel battery. I replaced mine just so I wouldn't have to mess with water.

(and so it wouldn't spill when my bike ends up on its side on backroad bridges)

+1 on the sealed gel batteries, I usually get four years or more out of one, no battery tender, no TLC, just rampant neglect.