new battery goes flat

  • Thread starter Thread starter lemonjelly
  • Start date Start date
Disconnect the earth lead at the battery, set multi metre to DC volts, one probe to negative on battery and the other to the earth lead.

If you have a short, no matter how small it will show a voltage reading on the metre. If this happens, keep searching for the earth leak problem! No voltage reading = no short!
 
I have a similar problem on the RGS.
Battery was a bit low, struggled to start but after a short charge started OK and ran well for the day.
Week or so later battery gone flat, no start, charged it up with the Optimate and not enough power to start.......
Also the lights have stopped working may not be related at all but will check it all out this weekend.

Using a MotoBatt, has been very good for a couple of years.
Seem to think I've read something about Optimate charges stuffing batteries......
Any comments???????

Out of interest just in case the reg/rec is stuffed, is there a preferred Shinegan reg/rec replacement which will use all three outputs from the alternator and allow me to disconnect the through the switch feed?
 
With the new battery,lights do get brighter when revved though not a lot,but do not dim .
 
Seem to think I've read something about Optimate charges stuffing batteries......
Click to expand...

If they are left permanently connected to keep the battery fully charged, some have reported problems.  From what you say, you haven't done this so much more likely to be a duff battery.  If you search for shindengen you'll find plenty of info - the SH530-12 has been used by some
 
new battery showing 12v goes like Keith says to 14 at 2000rpm not the best voltmeter needle type but pointing towards duff first battery.
 
chriskay said:
Disconnect the earth lead at the battery, set multi metre to DC volts, one probe to negative on battery and the other to the earth lead.

If you have a short, no matter how small it will show a voltage reading on the metre. If this happens, keep searching for the earth leak problem! No voltage reading = no short!
Click to expand...
Should this be voltage or current?
 
Normski said:
chriskay said:
Disconnect the earth lead at the battery, set multi metre to DC volts, one probe to negative on battery and the other to the earth lead.

If you have a short, no matter how small it will show a voltage reading on the metre. If this happens, keep searching for the earth leak problem! No voltage reading = no short!
Click to expand...
Should this be voltage or current?he earth side of
Click to expand...

No....... Voltage. If there is a positive leak to earth you will pick up a voltage reading between the negative battery terminal and the earth at frame (or engine) and it will show a voltage reading. If there is no leak to earth it won't read a voltage. Earth lead to negative post on the battery must be disconnected though, and between the two is where you put the metre probes.
 
Lemon, As Chriskay has suggested using a meter between the earth cable and the neg. terminal will tell you if you have a draw with the ign./key off.  If you do have a draw when parked you can undo components one by one to isolate the cause. Most likely the battery was shorted internally or sulfated.Batteries in that condition will charge up and show 12-13.5 volts with no load and even light a headlamp for a while but anything over a few amps load will cause a drop to 3v or so. A giveaway is if it gets warm quickly when on a charger.
 
Pleased to say no voltage showing on meter between disconnected earth lead and neg terminal, so no short I hope. :)

Many thanks for all the input.
 
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