PC625 Battery and cold starting

[Mitchcpc]

Well, last year I installled my PC625 and have been very happy with it. For Christmas I also got an Odyssey 6amp charger that I leave on all the time.

I have found that even with the PC625 and the charger, there were a couple of very cold <30 degree F mornings where I couldn't get the beast to start and wore the battery down. After cranking for a long time. I tried a couple of differnt tactics and have found that the following combination works regardless of the temps.

1. Always start the bike in neutral. Even with the clutch pulled, I found that there is still a small amount of drag on the engine at start-up if not in neutral.
2. Don't just keep cranking if it doesn't start after about 4 turn overs. That was my mistake. Once I tried several short cranks instead of just keeping the button mashed down I find it starts every time on about the third try. I think I actually flooded it once by just keeping the button mashed down. Very heavy fuel smell. Then I had to get all my gear off and switch over to the Suburban.


Anyway, the below link will show you the charger that is designed for the PC625 as well as other Odyssey batteries.


http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-ul ... arger.html

 

[redrocket]

Mitch that is very good advice. I found that if I try to use a few short bursts 1-2 seconds on the starter button in neutral it will start on the 3rd or 4th burst. Good obvervation!!!!! Great idea!!!!!

 

[budman]

.Mitch, when I spoke with an Odyssey rep on the phone, he recommended this 3 amp charger in the link

..the one in the middle
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/accessories/aci.htm
..I too was having trouble with starting even after installing the 625..however, after using the 3 amp constant current charger on the battery, I haven't had any problems..maybe the 7 amp charger (the last one in the link) is too much for a constant charge?..

 

[DCRocket]

mitchpc - see my post in Best Replacement Battery?

No problems starting at 2° F and still running 15W50 oil

I'm wondering why I'm reading about so many cold start problems with well-charged batteries - could something else be the issue?