Anyone in Monmouth Wales tonight with a battery charger?

[Mtoliva]

3c Stuck in Monmouth with a dead battery, no where open because of the Easter weekend so can’t even get a temporary battery, anyone local who can help with a charger. Otherwise it’s an embarrassing journey back home with the RAC van tomorrow.

 

[The Sock]

What ignition system have you got?
If 3c CDI, it'll bump start and run quite happily.

 

[Mtoliva]

Dmc2, bump started during the day but the last few miles started to cut out every few seconds then finally died. Battery dead. Checked the Odessey date code , 2008- well past its best?. Could it be the rectifier?

 

[Rob]

Obviously the battery isn't being charged. 15 years probably end of its life but I'd certainly check battery volts are 14.4v to make sure it's getting a charge. Regulator/rectifier could well be u/s.

 

[rocketonarail]

It`s probably going to be the RAC ....... It`s not so bad as long as you don`t have to wait too long due to the Bank Holiday ......

Same thing happened to me half way through a National Rally ....... Battery dead in Lichfield Staffs at 1.30 am Sunday morning ...... called the AA ..... van arrived at 2.30 am ...... hooked battery up to vans charger but it was obvious it wasn`t going to hold any voltage , as soon as the charger was disconnected the battery was dead , my next stop for petrol would have left me stranded again ...... AA van called local recovery guy who turned up at 3.30 am with family ( wife and daughter ) ....... Mirage loaded up and we got back to Bristol at about 6.30 am .......

It`s possible I could have got away with bump starting it after every stop , but not being certain of the exact cause of the problem at that time , plus the fact I needed lights , I didn`t want to risk it dying on me completely , ( or me collapsing from exhaustion if there wasn`t a handy downhill slope nearby ) ........ , so at least by calling the AA , I would be sure of getting back home without problem ( and what with the amount they charge each year , I may as well get my moneys worth out of them .... ) ......

This was original Bosch CDI ...... the little silver box rectifier was found to be ok ( It was still in use years later working with a DMC 2 ) ......... Turned out it was just a kaput battery , pure and simple .......... they usually needed replacing every 3-4 years ....... This was the only one that died on me completely .........

 

[Vince]

Here it comes, wait for it, I am going to say it again, a $25 dash-mounted digital volt meter can and will give you a heads up to either a dying RR, Battery or Alternator decline well before you get stuck roadside. Guess how I know. Not having one is like not setting your trip meter at fuel stops and crossing your fingers you don't run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. Are you feeling lucky?

 

[helicopterjim]

Here it comes, wait for it, I am going to say it again, a $25 dash-mounted digital volt meter

Try Amazon ....... you can get 2 for that price.

Jim

 

[Dellortoman]

I second that Vince. All vehicles should have a charge light or a voltmeter. No charging system is infallible so you're relying on blind faith if you go anywhere with no clue as to what your charging system is doing.

 

[Andy J]

Just seen this, been there myself with a dead battery when the charging system failed on the way to the ferry for the 2014 Breganze Rally.
As it happens, RAlf Ferguson-Kelly lives just down the road at The Hendre. He might be able to lend you a battery. I will see if I can find his contact info and pm you them.

 

[Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond]

Garden centre might have a mower battery off a self propelled one that will fit

 

[Mtoliva]

Back at the bike this morning to find a note on from Richard, a local laverda owner offering help, unfortunately too late now as the recovery is on its way.
Thanks to all who commented

 

[Andy]

Oh I’m not sure about leaving your baby in the disabled spaces, surely it would have been better in the concerned parents parks?

 

[Wayne Crosby]

3c Stuck in Monmouth with a dead battery, no where open because of the Easter weekend so can’t even get a temporary battery, anyone local who can help with a charger. Otherwise it’s an embarrassing journey back home with the RAC van tomorrow.

I was at Lidl on that Saturday night, I asked the staff if you left contact details as I could have picked it up in my van and stored it securely in my business unit a few miles away in Raglan as to be honest, I was worried about it's security left there all alone, and she looked so "purty"
Glad all worked out fine for you.

 

[Mtoliva]

I should have thought about leaving details but I just didn’t, I was in a bit of a panic. I have to admit it was fairly scary leaving the bike sitting there overnight, but I thought better there in the open, than hidden around the back in the dark, thank you so much for trying to help. Good news is that we are both home safe and sound, well actually the bike is at GCS waiting on a new rectifier / regulator.

 

[Wayne Crosby]

I should have thought about leaving details but I just didn’t, I was in a bit of a panic. I have to admit it was fairly scary leaving the bike sitting there overnight, but I thought better there in the open, than hidden around the back in the dark, thank you so much for trying to help. Good news is that we are both home safe and sound, well actually the bike is at GCS waiting on a new rectifier / regulator.

I know it's crass, but if your plight was posted on the Laverda group(s) on Facebook, I would have seen this immediately and could have lent you a reg rec to get you going! Not to worry, all's well that ends well!