- V9 - Battery/Cranking Issue

[kballowe]

Less than 2-month-old V9 Bobber.

YUASA YTX14-BS 200 CCA.  Battery static charge 12.7V and 13.1V riding.

Battery shows full charge and good load test on two different test sets.

Bike stored in walkout basement with ambient air temperature of 65 degrees.

Problem:  Bike sorta turns over, then click click click click.

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I recently owned a V9 Roamer and if it was left for a week or ten days, it would do the same thing.  It worked OK with a 100 percent charge, nothing less.

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I'm thinking that it needs a hotter battery.  This same size is available in 220 and in 240 CCA.


What do you think ?

[twowheeladdict]

I had an issue with my V7III and the dealer disconnected and reconnected all the battery wire connections, as well as checked the entire system, and it has been good ever since.  I do keep it on a maintainer when not riding it. 

Shouldn't it be closer to 14 volts when riding?

[Dave Swanson]

The battery should have plenty to turn it over.   I would check all battery connections,  especially the negative to frame first.  Make sure the negative cable frame connection is free from paint and snug.

[kballowe]

Oh, so I got it started (with the assistance of a 4amp charger) and put 45 miles on it.

Let it set 20 minutes, and then tested it again.
It showed full charge, 12.7 volts, good load test.
So, charging system appears to be keeping up.

[Kev m]

I just went through this with our V7III AND my V7 Stone.

I figured the Stone battery was 6 years old and for some part of the first almost 3 years it was overcharging. So it didn't owe me anything.

The V7III battery is only a little over a year old, well, since WE bought it as a new leftover last winter. But I have no idea if it was charged and put into service properly.

Both of mine were on a rotating 5A tender for parts of the winter, but a few weeks ago they BOTH went. Chugga Chugga Chugga ... click ehhh click ehhhh click ehhh. I tried charging the V7III for two more days but it did it again.

I said screw it and bought a couple of BIG CRANKS.... as recommended by Charlie Mul. Instantly went Chugga VROOOOM put put put put put put put put put put put like I like.

It is a 220 CCA bat

https://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX14-Battery.html


EDIT - I'm not saying not to check connections and all that, it's never a bad idea. But I've heard of more than a couple late-model Guzzi Yuasa's going udders skyward.

[Guzikid]

 For better/longer battery life...…. One should charge their motorcycle batteries with a 2 amp charger or less....preferably 1.5 amps.  The Kid

[Kiwi_Roy]

For better/longer battery life...…. One should charge their motorcycle batteries with a 2 amp charger or less....preferably 1.5 amps.  The Kid

How do you do that while riding?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Less than 2-month-old V9 Bobber.

YUASA YTX14-BS 200 CCA.  Battery static charge 12.7V and 13.1V riding.

Battery shows full charge and good load test on two different test sets.

Bike stored in walkout basement with ambient air temperature of 65 degrees.

Problem:  Bike sorta turns over, then click click click click.

--------------------------------------------------------------
I recently owned a V9 Roamer and if it was left for a week or ten days, it would do the same thing.  It worked OK with a 100 percent charge, nothing less.

--------------------------------------------------------------

I'm thinking that it needs a hotter battery.  This same size is available in 220 and in 240 CCA.


What do you think ?

I have a 20 AH battery in my Griso on the recommendation of Pete Roper.
Perhaps this one wasn't put into service properly.
To be sure its the battery take your multimeter and jab the leads into the terminals (not the lugs)
Its should hold at least 9 Volts while cranking, anything less and it's probably time for a new one.
If its 9V or over and not cranking must be a bad connection.
I don't think this is a Startus Interrupts issue but I've been wrong before.

[guzzisteve]

I think it's better than a red triangle.

[kballowe]

Yes, Sir !

.

So, maybe the original battery is enough - and this particular battery is simply a bit wonky. Maybe it's something else.  Went over all of the wiring and grounds and such and have the same issue.

So, ordered the YTX14H-BS battery yesterday.  240 cold cranking amps .vs the 200 CCA of the original.

 

[Kiwi_Roy]

If it comes without the electrolyte added after filling leave it overnight before charging it.

[ff73148]

I had the same thing happen to me with my Bobber. After numerous phone call to Moto Guzzi customer service they told me that there was a re map code for the ECU that would solve the problem. When I brought my Bobber to Hamlin’s for service he re mapped it. After re mapping I didn’t have the problem. As a matter of fact the bike ran even better. But when I’m not riding I keep it on a charger. My own opinion is that the red flashing light that flashes for three days after a ride draws current. Plus I believe that the immobilizer also draws current running down the battery.

[kballowe]

If it comes without the electrolyte added after filling leave it overnight before charging it.

Filled it at 6pm and put the charger on it this morning at 6am.   

The charger showed a full charge, but after ten minutes, it's charging at approx one amp

[Kiwi_Roy]

Filled it at 6pm and put the charger on it this morning at 6am.   

The charger showed a full charge, but after ten minutes, it's charging at approx one amp

Should be good to go now then, I'm not sure what the waiting does apart from letting any air bubbles rise to the top. Yuasa say to leave the battery 1 - 2 hours but waiting longer can't hurt.
Actually I think it may have been Pete Roper that said overnight, he must do a lot more batteries than most.

[Kev m]

I assumed the waiting was for air bubbles and/or electrolyte absorbtion, but I can't say.

When I did the Duc battery last year I simply followed the instructions so I only let it sit a couple of hours but I left it in the charger overnight.

I don't know what the charge and float logic are on the tenders but I felt it was better not to load it too soon.

The Big Cranks I installed in the V7s last month came activated, but I still put them each on a tender for a day or so before starting either bike. Can't see why they would hurt.

Most of it is probably much ado anyway.

[zebep]

I bought a new Interstate battery for my Cali , the instructions recommend after adding  acid to the battery  wait  at least 6 hours (the more the better) doing this will fully allow the glass mat to absorb the acid , before charging

[MotoG5]

Filled it at 6pm and put the charger on it this morning at 6am.   

The charger showed a full charge, but after ten minutes, it's charging at approx one amp

What did you have to remove to pull the battery? As my bike is form the same lot as yours this may be in my future. I dont know if the batteries came charged on not. Kind of one of the things that goes with buying a left over model. Its a new machine but its been sitting a long time.Not a bid deal and an easy fix.

[kballowe]

What did you have to remove to pull the battery?

Three hex fasteners to remove right side cover.
Facing battery, look at top, center - in toward frame.  There's a plastic retainer with two phillips screws.  Remove the retainer and the battery and case slides right out.

[MotoG5]

Three hex fasteners to remove right side cover.
Facing battery, look at top, center - in toward frame.  There's a plastic retainer with two phillips screws.  Remove the retainer and the battery and case slides right out.

Thank you Sir!

[kballowe]

So, ordered the YTX14H-BS battery yesterday.  240 cold cranking amps .vs the 200 CCA of the original.

 

UPDATE:

Two months later.  No issues. 
Also, engine cranks much faster.

[MotoG5]

UPDATE:

Two months later.  No issues. 
Also, engine cranks much faster.Bu

Thanks for the update. I am still getting by with the OEM battery in my "Enzo Special" Bobber with 23K miles on. But when the time comes I know what I will do.   

[Kiwi_Roy]

The battery on my one year old 2017 13,000km V7 quit a week ago, after a 20 mile spin on the motorway it would not restart the bike but started easily with a push.
Stopped again and it wouldn't restart by pushing or a boost. After sitting for an hour it reluctantly started so I made a beeline for the dealer about 3 miles away for them to sort out.
Oh, did I mention it caught on fire? Flames coming out from under both mufflers just before I got to the dealer, major discolouration of both mufflers.

When I say one year old it came out of the crate in April 2019 The pre delivery certificate says V7 III Special Azzurro MY17, is that the date of manufacture May 2017?
There is another Italian document "Check List Imballo Veicolo" dated 12 GIU 2017 it says Equipment to be included Battery, Mirrors and something Terghetta "CCC" (solo version Cina)"
Against the battery for dealer to check, I quote, "Battery level and charge (at least 10 hours of controlled current charge)" has been checked
What was the status of the battery after 2 years in the crate, who knows. but it doesn't say that it was installed by the dealer so I assume it was in the crate all that time.

What do you think my chances of getting another battery under the 2 year warranty I asked them to sort out the charging under warranty and explain the flames from under the mufflers.
I assume the fire was caused by unburnt fuel in the catalytic converters but I can't figure out why 6" flames were coming out mid way along the mufflers, is there some thing flammable under the trim?
The battery has always seemed weak, I must have push started the bike at least 20 times but I put that down to running heated gear however this latest episode was without any additional load so I can't explain it away.

[greer]

I have always heard that batteries are considered consumables and never warrantied, but we can always hope.

Now this fire business, what the hell???

Sarah

[blu guzz]

I have been told, have not confirmed but it makes sense that leaving the computer chipped key in a sitting bike will help drain the battery.  Just a thought.

[ff73148]

Look at my post back in April. IMHO there is more to this than just old weak batteries.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Just reading through the thread again
So you upgraded from YTX14 BS (200 CCA) to YTX14H BS (240 CCA)
Same case size but 40 more amps 
I wonder if the same battery would fit in the V7 III
Never mind I see the Yuasa site recommends it for the V7 III

[greer]

Expect to hear from the dealer soon, Roy?

Sarah

[Kiwi_Roy]

Expect to hear from the dealer soon, Roy?

Sarah

I'm not holding my breathe Sarah, haven't heard a peep and its a week tomorrow.
I have a feeling they may have a staffing problem, I heard they lost one of their best mechanics the other day.

[greer]

I hate that you've been hung up for a week.  How concerned are you about the flames?  Just a matter of unburnt fuel?  I wish we'd heard more comment on that.  I hope I am wrong, but I don't expect the dealership to do a thing for you battery-wise.

Sarah 

[twowheeladdict]

I have always heard that batteries are considered consumables and never warrantied, but we can always hope.

Now this fire business, what the hell???

Sarah

My Royal Enfield dealer replaced my Himalayan's 2 month old battery under warranty with a better brand battery.  A two year old leftover bike should have gotten a new fresh battery when sold.  Some dealers really make me shake my head.