Winter Battery Woes...

[tdragger]

The temps have dropped around here to lows in the 20's and highs in the low 40's. I've
gone out to start up E-III several times to be welcomed with the dreaded
"wump...wump...wump..........wump.......". Each time I'd roll E-III up to my truck and
attach the jumper cables (without the truck running of course!). A quick start and off I'd
go.

Thinking that the Yuasa was on it's last legs, I went to WallyWorld and supported the
Chinese economy and go a replacement battery. After charging it all night, I installed it
this afternoon. Now the test, "wump...wump...wump..........wump.......".

Is it really that the Roc just doesn't like cold weather (yeah, cold for us)? I checked the
WallyWorld batt and it's got the same rating as the Yausa I pulled out. Am I going to
have to splurge and get the 310 cca Yuasa instead of the 270?

 

[Sidecar Flip]

You are pushing big pistons in big bores with stiff oil and low compression. Get yourself a Hawker Oddesy and forget the Chinese economy util you get your gummit rebate check in June. Then go to WallyWorld and support the Chinese trade deficit. Make sure all your connections are clean and free from corrosion and the terminals on the starter are tight, especially the top, booted one. Take the boot off and check it closely.

I have a feeling your Yuhasa's just fine. You need to load test it with a carbon pile tester. Check the drawdown amps. Just because a battery is slow to crank don't mean the battery is shot. Idle batteries will discharge over time.

 

[bkrbil]

Mine does the same thing, I replaced the battery, and still have problems. I just keep it hooked up to a Battery Tender now.

 

[HeR3tic]

Cold hearted beast or cold soaked battery

After only a year, I was of the wrong impression that the original battery was going down the tube. I bought a new 310 CCA model, which does an excellent job when it's got a hot charge even with 20 degree overnight cold soaking, but let the beast sit 48 hours in such weather and once again the cranking power is reduced to wump...wump...wump...no joy.

I believe Yuasa is one of very few remaining US manufacturers??

 

[hombre]

I second Flip's suggestion... Odessey PC625.

See: http://www.r3owners.net/showthread.php?t=2768&highlight=battery+upgrade

 

[Molinoman]

I mentioned to my dealer today that my battery was doing the same thing. He said there was a service bulletin out about some "step up" to the starter doohickey and something else. He said this should help and next Thursday I'm going to ride it down to the dealer and let him do it. He also said he would load test my battery to make sure that it was up to speed.
A question...if the battery is bad is that replaceable under the warranty (I know on the Gold Wings they are) or is this something I'm going to have to "eat"?
Dennis

 

[HeR3tic]

I mentioned to my dealer today that my battery was doing the same thing. He said there was a service bulletin out about some "step up" to the starter doohickey and something else. He said this should help and next Thursday I'm going to ride it down to the dealer and let him do it. He also said he would load test my battery to make sure that it was up to speed.
A question...if the battery is bad is that replaceable under the warranty (I know on the Gold Wings they are) or is this something I'm going to have to "eat"?
Dennis

I'll check on that service bulletin issue first thing Tuesday. The local dealer, which is closed on Mondays, has my beast AGAIN for the same paint-can rattle issue. And now that you mention it: It sure seems that the battery should fall under warranty??

What's the part number on that doohickey

 

[Sidecar Flip]

I believe if you check your owners' manual, tires and batteries are warranted by their respective manufacturers, not Triumph LTD.

 

[bkrbil]

Since my bike is already in the shop, I called my dealer and asked them to see what they can do. They were unaware of a service bulletin pertaining to this problem, but will look into it.

 

[Freightbusters]

Paying a price

You are pushing big pistons in big bores with stiff oil and low compression. Get yourself a Hawker Oddesy and forget the Chinese economy util you get your gummit rebate check in June. Then go to WallyWorld and support the Chinese trade deficit. Make sure all your connections are clean and free from corrosion and the terminals on the starter are tight, especially the top, booted one. Take the boot off and check it closely.

I have a feeling your Yuhasa's just fine. You need to load test it with a carbon pile tester. Check the drawdown amps. Just because a battery is slow to crank don't mean the battery is shot. Idle batteries will discharge over time.

You are all paying a price to live up North.