Melting Positive Battery Terminal

[MarvinM]

Howdy All,

After having a battery in my '08 R3 for about a year, I had lag on trying to start (like battery was low), then no response (lights, gauges, etc). I thought I had finally realized the dreaded headlight/ignition failure. After pulling the seat and seeing burnt red plastic and a puddle of lead, I saw that, in actuality, I melted the positive terminal on the battery.

I assumed this was caused by an arc due to a loose connection, so I bought new battery, installed (making sure connection was good), hopped on bike and spent a few days enjoying the bike. Then.... it did the exact same thing again, ruining a few day old battery.

The bike has had a little trouble starting in the past, but that was due to the OE battery finally dying or the fact that it was 20-something degrees outside. The immediate symptom prior to melting the terminal is the appearance of a difficult start.

Anyone seen this? Any thoughts? All comments appreciated.

MarvinM

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Could it be due to the starter failing and drawing too many amps ?

 

[Wannbe]

In other vehicles I have seen starter problems cause symptoms like this.

 

[TRIIICK]

Make sure your battery cables are tight. I had my battery tested at Auto-Zone and they melted the treminal on me.

 

[cr0ft]

The only way to generate that much current is pretty much to short the battery somehow, possibly through a bad starter I suppose that just passes current at the maximum the cables can handle, then.

 

[TURBO200R4]

a basic rule of thumb is a starter will draw one amp for every cubic inch. like a 350 cubic inch motor will draw 350 amps. a 2300cc or 140ci will draw about 140 to 160.
you can get a starter checker that you can just lay over the positive cable and try to start.
i would put the bolt into the pos with out the cable attached and see the clearance is. they might be tightening up at the same time so as not to have pressure on the cable.
if you hold the starter button in with it barley turning it will draw max amps and then something will start smoking.

 

[Bobs05]

I had a similar experience in October, but with the negative terminal. Service manager at the local dealer reminded me that the main cables should be the first ones an top, then any additional hookups go on top of that. Otherwise, arcing could cause excessive heat/short/arcing.

I switched mine around to comply.

 

[Jeff Cameron]

What about something metal that is loose in the under seat/battery area coming in contact with the Positive terminal and shorting it to ground?

 

[Rick McC.]

What about something metal that is loose in the under seat/battery area coming in contact with the Positive terminal and shorting it to ground?

That was my initial thought; but something like that should be visible.

 

[zenbiker]

You have an arcing issue. Dielectric grease. Your cable ends may be out of round allowing insufficient contact with the posts.