Battery Drainage

[Dozer]

Ok, hooked the multimeter up between battery terminal and lead (disconnected), amps reads 48.1 or thereabouts. I took out the fuses one by one under the seat, and the amperage didn't change.

Ok, connected again, voltage across the battery is 12.36. Switch on bike, 12.14. Start engine, 14.71, and stays fairly level when revved.

What do I connect to to check between battery and engine, or to find out if there is a bad earth?
I'm disconnecting the negative terminal from now on when she's parked. pain in the hoop, but better than coming out to a dead battery!

Edited 1645, 10/10/08 - Sod it, she's under warranty, she's in a Shirlaws again. Fair do's to Craig, he's said he's not gonna let them say it's fixed again if it's not. Fingers crossed

[Dozer]

Right... Was in past today, and they think there were corroded connections at something to do with a starter relay I think (was just off night shift, nae sleep, gimme a break )

Hopefully will get her back tomorrow! They're checkin to make sure it doesn't drain again once they've fixed that, just in case


God I hope so!

[Crazy Turbo Beast]

Sounds like something is drawing major current like a load left on (sat nav/heater grips?) or an uninteruppted short circuit.
Check the ohms between positive and negative at the battery terminals. If its anything below 1ohm you probably have a fault.


Thats my gut feeling as I read this as you seem to have eliminated the charger and its been established that you're journeys are long enough to put a decent charge back into the battery.

[Crazy Turbo Beast]

Make sure there's no screws or paper clips where thought should be fuses!!

[Crazy Turbo Beast]

Ok, hooked the multimeter up between battery terminal and lead (disconnected), amps reads 48.1 or thereabouts. I took out the fuses one by one under the seat, and the amperage didn't change.

I just noticed this, 48A!! No wonder the battery gets drained.

If everything is switched off then you have a short somewhere and the fuse is not picking it up. Fire risk.

You don't have any heaters etc on the bike do you?

[Dozer]

Nup, bog standard bike min. No phone call from Shirlaws, presuming the connectors weren't it

[meepmeep]

Nup, bog standard bike min. No phone call from Shirlaws, presuming the connectors weren't it

The suspense is fckin killin me!

[al]

48Amps at 12 volts is over 550Watts !!!!

I'd be borrowing that thermal imaging camera and looking for the hot-spot!

[Dozer]

Yeah, sorry, I think that was supposed to read milliamps! :D I can only presume, coz I can't check on the bike :D

Nup, bog standard bike min. No phone call from Shirlaws, presuming the connectors weren't it

The suspense is fckin killin me!

Cheeky begger!

[meepmeep]

Yeah, sorry, I think that was supposed to read milliamps! :D I can only presume, coz I can't check on the bike :D

No phone call from Shirlaws

The suspense is fckin killin me!

Cheeky begger!

Every time i see your name on this thread i think Craig has phoned ye, sorted yer bike, not charged ye and even given ye a full tank of fuel for your troubles.
I'm dying to apologise to him for ever doubting the commitment and craftsmanship of his service department.

[al]

I'm dying to apologise to him for ever doubting the commitment and craftsmanship of his service department.

I was just hearing a story about how the workshop phoned up a customer whose bike was in for a service telling him they couldn't get it started.

I'll let you guess what the problem was.

Snoop knows

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

[meepmeep]

I was just hearing a story about how the workshop phoned up a customer whose bike was in for a service telling him they couldn't get it started.

I'll let you guess what the problem was.

Snoop knows

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

Not the kill switch pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaase god no, my ribs will never take the laughter.

[al]

I was just hearing a story about how the workshop phoned up a customer whose bike was in for a service telling him they couldn't get it started.

I'll let you guess what the problem was.

Snoop knows

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

Not the kill switch pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaase god no, my ribs will never take the laughter.

Give that man a ceeeegar!!!!!!

[meepmeep]

I was just hearing a story about how the workshop phoned up a customer whose bike was in for a service telling him they couldn't get it started.

I'll let you guess what the problem was.

Snoop knows

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

Not the kill switch pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaase god no, my ribs will never take the laughter.

Give that man a ceeeegar!!!!!!

Brill

Wee story, Mrs meeps out one sunny day. Heading east along NDR. Turned left at Bieldside lights, up the hill. As she turned she went to cancel her indicators and must have flipped the kill switch. So it's quite a steep hill and a narrow road. Cars are now backed round through the lights while mrs meeps tries in vain to drain the battery while desperately holding the bike on the hill Luckily i'm there to save the day
Anyhow, she's a wifey so we can let it go but a service engineer.....me oh my

[Dozer]

That is class! Laughed rather too loudly out loud for 6am...

Got it back today, new ignition relay fitted for free (still in warranty). Nae tank o fuel though

Yay!

Dozer's a happy bunny.

As of this morning (monday 3rd), it's still workin! yay

[Crazy Turbo Beast]

48Amps at 12 volts is over 550Watts !!!!

Aye totally, thats why I was thinking a heater etc.

big difference between that and milli-amps I can't believe it's not butter!.

[Dozer]

She's still startin! Woo!! Meep, feel free to apologise! Although if anyone mentions my bike to craig, I fear they may get set upon like a spider monkey!

[Sheep24]

I dont do a good spider monkey impresion

[meepmeep]

She's still startin! Woo!! Meep, feel free to apologise!

Credit where credit is due.

In the past, with some posts, i may have given the impression that i regard Shirlaws Service Dept about as much use as well.......any other Aberdeen based motorcycle Service Department
Horror stories aghast from all quarters of the biking community only compounded the theorems.

Then up pops the quirky case of, Dozer and the Bandit.
Lets bear in mind that poor Dozer has had numerous diagnosises which have been remedied, only for the original problem to raise its ugly head once again. Leaving Dozer scratching his newly shaven bonce in frustration.

From all walks, the Aberdeenbikers rallied round Dozer with possible fixes and fittings that may have brought to life the poor Bandits powerless innner workings but alas, their benevolent pourings of information were to fall on deaf ears as Dozer put his faith in Shirlaws for one final time.

In the days/weeks that followed, few updates were posted. Those that were only left the reader with mounting anguish and suspense at what was becoming a landmark case for Shirlaws reputation.
Then one day, it was posted, that Shirlaws had returned Dozers Bandit while successfully fixing the problem.

So to finish,
a big well done to the Service Department at Shirlaws Motorcycles
and to Craig for putting his name to this also

[Dozer]

Amen to that!

I can't believe it's not butter!, go on Craig, try!

From all walks, the Aberdeenbikers rallied round Dozer with possible fixes and fittings that may have brought to life the poor Bandits powerless innner workings but alas, their benevolent pourings of information were to fall on deaf ears as Dozer put his faith in Shirlaws for one final time.

Yeah, sorry about that, no offense intended...