[farhadtarapore]

Originally Posted by naveenroy

OK, I am pretty much at my wit's end again! The battery is completely getting drained on my CBR 250R again. I charge it for Rs.50 and if I don't run the bike for 2 days, the battery dies! That means that the bike is not charging the battery when running. What is the exact part that needs replacement in this case? Is that the stator?

You say that the battery is dying if you DON'T run the bike for 2 days. Seems to suggest a short somewhere. Battery is getting drained/discharged even when bike is not running. Had encountered such an issue in my ZMR. Had got the wiring harness changed from a local mech because the so-called Hero honda service center chaps refused to acknowledge or diagnose the problem.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by naveenroy

OK, I am pretty much at my wit's end again! The battery is completely getting drained on my CBR 250R again. I charge it for Rs.50 and if I don't run the bike for 2 days, the battery dies! That means that the bike is not charging the battery when running. What is the exact part that needs replacement in this case? Is that the stator?

It's the alternator which charges the battery (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). I would also suggest that please check for leakage current which can discharge a battery if left idle for a few days.

The symptoms:
The bike would run fine if ridden daily or alternate days. This means the battery is getting charged since the starter works even if we use it 10 times a day. Leave it idle for a couple of days and the battery drains. This means current leaks from the battery even when the bike is not running. If such is the case then please check the wiring for cuts/rat bites, etc. I had to part with a perfectly good battery in my P180 because I couldn't diagnose the above. Later when I faced the same problem with the new battery, the wiring was checked and we found the culprit there.

[naveenroy]

Originally Posted by farhadtarapore

You say that the battery is dying if you DON'T run the bike for 2 days. Seems to suggest a short somewhere.

Thanks! Yup, I am now convinced that there is a problem/short in the wiring. That is probably the most easiest to check.

Originally Posted by ashis89

This means current leaks from the battery even when the bike is not running. If such is the case then please check the wiring for cuts/rat bites, etc. I had to part with a perfectly good battery in my P180 because I couldn't diagnose the above. Later when I faced the same problem with the new battery, the wiring was checked and we found the culprit there.

Thanks! Yes, I am gonna check the wiring first and then move on to the R/R to see if there is a problem. I am hoping that is not the case as the R/R is quite costly for the CBR! Another part that might have gone wrong is when the connector gets fried - fusing the wires and this might be causing the drain. Will get it checked soon.

[hothatchaway]

Originally Posted by naveenroy

Thanks! Yup, I am now convinced that there is a problem/short in the wiring. That is probably the most easiest to check.



Thanks! Yes, I am gonna check the wiring first and then move on to the R/R to see if there is a problem. I am hoping that is not the case as the R/R is quite costly for the CBR! Another part that might have gone wrong is when the connector gets fried - fusing the wires and this might be causing the drain. Will get it checked soon.

Hi,
Its been a while since you posted this, but was wondering if you got to the bottom of the issue. I am facing an identical problem with my wife's Activa where a new battery got discharged after just 4 months of installation and keeps failing every two weeks or so even though it is always kickstarted. I am suspecting the RR unit but the lights, horn etc work fine. Lat resort would be the wiring harness.

[farhadtarapore]

On a side note, I had been to 4 battery shops which flat out REFUSED to "top-up" water in my battery. They all just keep saying "Replace". And this was after just 1 year of buying the bike.
Then I got it fully charged at a battery shop. Since then, I've tried to analyse how I start my bike. The trick (it seems) was to turn the throttle until there was no play left in the cable and then pressing the clutch all the way in and pressing the self-start button. It starts without a problem even after being idle for 2-3 weeks. If you give more throttle, it just keeps cranking and drains out the battery (low batt icon starts flashing).

[naveenroy]

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

Hi,
Its been a while since you posted this, but was wondering if you got to the bottom of the issue. I am facing an identical problem with my wife's Activa where a new battery got discharged after just 4 months of installation and keeps failing every two weeks or so even though it is always kickstarted. I am suspecting the RR unit but the lights, horn etc work fine. Lat resort would be the wiring harness.

It did come down to the RR unit because I had tried everything else. Bike has been sold.

[ArizonaJim]

Although this is an oversimplification of what is happening when a motorcycle is started with an electric starter and then the battery is recharged while riding perhaps this will give a feeling of what is happening.

A typical motorcycle electric starter motor can produce around 1 horsepower.
1 horsepower is equal to about 746 watts of electrical power.

If the starter motor runs for 5 seconds while starting the motorcycle it can use 5 X 746 watts = 3,730 watt seconds of power will be consumed.


Although a motorcycle alternator can produce over 100 watts of power, much of this will be used by the lights and the engine so, lets say 70 watts is going to power these necessary things. That leaves about 30 watts available to recharge the battery.
On a 12 volt system, 30 watts of power would be 2.5 amperes of power available to recharge the battery.

A typical motorcycle regulator/rectifier (RR) limits the maximum voltage to around 14.5 volts.
In order for a alternator to charge a 12 volt battery, only the voltage that is higher than 12 volts can actually push power into the battery so, we can say that the voltage actually charging the battery is about 14.5 volts minus 12 volts or, 2.5 volts.

2.5 volts of power X 2.5 amps = 6.25 watts of power going into the battery.

As starting the motorcycle used up 3,730 watt seconds of power, if we divide that by 6.25 watts of recharging power we find that it will take 3,730/6.25 = 596.8 seconds or 9.95 minutes of riding at a speed fast enough to cause the alternator to put out its full power.

At idle speeds and slightly above idle speeds the alternator may only produce enough power to illuminate the headlight and run the engine so the length of time needed to recharge the battery will be far greater.

This is why short trips or riding at low speeds can cause the battery to run down so, keep this in mind when you start and ride your motorcycle.

It is also why buying a low power (less than 2 amp) trickle charger and connecting it to your battery when you are not riding is a good idea.
Just do not use a battery charger that produces over 2 amps of power and make sure it is the type of charger that monitors the battery power and reduces its output as the battery reaches a full charge.
"Battery Tender" is a good brand to buy.

[scorpion_blore]

Need advice from T-BHP battery experts. I own a TVS Wego 2013 model. The scooter is hardly used and remains unused for 1-2 weeks sometimes. It has now clocked 12k kms in 6 years. Till now it is still running with stock battery (Amco).

From last 1 year, there has been starting problem with kick start. It never works in the morning, kick start is the go-to option in the morning. After riding for 2-3 kms, the self start sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.

I was suspecting low usage to be the problem. However yesterday I took the scooter for a 140 km ride, and today morning again the scooter refuses to start. I was expecting the battery to be charged with such high usage on the previous day.

Note that 3 months back the TVS service center topped up the distilled water and charged the battery during service. That helped for a very small time.

Today I got the battery checked at a neighborhood battery shop. The owner used the multimeter and it showed 12v with horn blowing, and dropped to about 6-7v while trying to use self-start. The owner recommended to change the battery immediately.

Is the battery really dead and requires a replacement? Just trying to make sure the shop owner is not trying to take me for a ride.

[Red Liner]

If the starting voltage dropped to 6-7v and you actually saw it, the battery is dead. Swap immediately.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by scorpion_blore

Is the battery really dead and requires a replacement? Just trying to make sure the shop owner is not trying to take me for a ride.

Second Redliner, battery has run its course.

Details you can find if you follow the below link:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...g-systems.html (Understanding & troubleshooting Motorcycle Charging Systems)

Regards,
A.P.

[pcpranav]

Originally Posted by scorpion_blore

I own a TVS Wego 2013 model. The scooter is hardly used and remains unused for 1-2 weeks sometimes.

Similar story: pls ignore some OT descriptions ! :-)

my TVS Wego (2013) is almost daily used for very short commutes - wife uses it for market, school drops. I have been very particular about the services (read its Wife's scotty!), mainly oil/filter and minor things. Few months back, the ODO meter had stopped (about 8K KM), and got it repaired for 500 bucks. Overall ODO would be abt 12K till now. Tyres changed to Michelin City Pro90/90 tubeless in June-18, they are good.
Early this year, due to starting issues got the battery checked and found it was indeed weak. Changed to Amaron (1100 bucks) from my trusted dealer nearby.

[scorpion_blore]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

If the starting voltage dropped to 6-7v and you actually saw it, the battery is dead. Swap immediately.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Second Redliner, battery has run its course

Decided to get the battery changed after reading your valuable comments. The scooter is starting at the first crank itself. Thanks a ton for the quick help!

Originally Posted by pcpranav

Tyres changed to Michelin City Pro90/90 tubeless in June-18, they are good.
Changed to Amaron (1100 bucks) from my trusted dealer nearby.

Even I'm planning on changing the rear tyres for now since it is plagued with one or the other issue for a long time. Thinking of getting a Ceat tyre as recommended by the nearby puncture repair guy. How are the Michelins under gravel or wet roads?
Even I paid 1100 for Amazon Pro Rider (heavily recommended by the dealer for their quick replacements during issues compared to Exide).

[pcpranav]

Originally Posted by scorpion_blore

Even I'm planning on changing the rear tyres for now since it is plagued with one or the other issue for a long time. Thinking of getting a Ceat tyre as recommended by the nearby puncture repair guy. How are the Michelins under gravel or wet roads?

even in my short commutes, I noticed that Michelins are not very confidence inspiring on wet roads. Other dry conditions is just fine. This could be even due to tyre pressure, which is not often checked, and often the meter are shops are faulty. Many a times I have felt a "low" feel on bike, and after filling some air it was pretty fine. Since I have got Tubeless, the valve has been replaced twice at local shop.

[smileline]

Hello everyone.

I have an issue with my new activa 6g(Jan21) battery.

Just 02 days of not using of the scooter lead to total discharge of battery. Strangely on ignition the lights and horn are working fine. But the starter is not working. Tried using the scooter for some time and then checking. It works for couple of self starts but goes dead again.

Had been to the service centre. Will be claiming a new battery under warranty. Any suggestions what else needs to be checked.

Thanks

[smileline]

Originally Posted by smileline

Hello everyone.

I have an issue with my new activa 6g(Jan21) battery.

Just 02 days of not using of the scooter lead to total discharge of battery. Strangely on ignition the lights and horn are working fine. But the starter is not working. Tried using the scooter for some time and then checking. It works for couple of self starts but goes dead again.

Had been to the service centre. Will be claiming a new battery under warranty. Any suggestions what else needs to be checked.

Thanks

Update.

Claimed my battery replacement with Kothari wheels, Pune, gave it for replacement under warranty. After waiting for nearly 3 weeks I got the new battery. Changed the battery, Checked my scooter, it started in the first crank. Came home after 3 hours, tried to start. Nightmare, like before, horn and lights work, but the self start fails to start. Due to weekend lockdown, the service centre is closed for two days.

Details of Vehicle : Honda Activa 6G
Odometer reading 475 km
Accesories : Turn indicator buzzer. (Could that be an issue ?)

Had requested the service centre guys to check for wiring, alternator etc. they were sure it’s the battery which needed a change.

Please guide me, what could be the issue.

Regards.