Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.

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Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#4599

By John R - Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:24 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:24 pm #4599

All is not as it should be with my '89 350. I have fitted a 4ah gel battery not long ago. It is mounted on its side under the seat, but that should be OK. in fact, it doesn't hold a charge more than a couple of days. That should not matter too much but even though I have a Boyer power box fitted, it won't start with a flat battery. I have to connect another battery if it's flat; then it starts easily enough but won't run by itself for a minute or so if i disconnect the jump start; OK after that as the gel has taken a bit of a charge. Any thoughts, gentlemen?

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43447

By jaffa90 - Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:42 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:42 pm #43447

Something could be draining the battery with all switched off, have you a multi/meter to check the battery/ charging and drainage???

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43448

By Gwilly - Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:59 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:59 pm #43448

As per Jaffa, No shortcut, just check all wire connections are clean and sound..

Special emphasis on the alternator stator coils, one may be shorting to earth or damaged..

Also as someone mentioned the other day, the rotor may be loosing magnetism..

A multimeter on the A/C wires to the power box will be a good place to start..

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43449

By Paul M H - Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:19 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:19 pm #43449

Go to Technical Notes and follow the fault finding guide for Electrics & charging 0n 1987-1999 bullets that will give you a start.

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43451

By Beezabryan - Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:20 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:20 pm #43451

Sounds like that battery is U/S even though it is relativley new. Not unknown
Suggest get it checked

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43455

By Norm - Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:01 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:01 pm #43455

The gel batteries I have found to be not very good, they don't seem to last, not sure if they don't like the way the alternator charges them, glass matt batteries are the only way to go, also as stated battery may be draining. Disconnect the battery after using it, and check to see if it still has charge after a couple of days

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43461

By John R - Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:13 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:13 pm #43461

Thanks all. It may be a while before i get round to doing much about it as It's difficult to work on the bike outdoors this time of year and i need to do some major work on the gearbox.
Any opinions about battery-less starting with the Powerbox?

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43462

By Norm - Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:03 pm

- Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:03 pm #43462

John, never had any joy starting my Inter with a flat battery with a powerbox, will put me over the handelbars if I'm not careful or forget to turn the ignition on

Won't hold a charge - won't start with a flat battery.#43642

By John M - Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:53 pm

- Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:53 pm #43642

I have a Bullet with the Indian Eureka electronic ignition, a regulator/rectifier, no battery and a 2MC capacitor. You can get a Lucas 2MC type capacitor part number LU/54170009 from our hosts, just plumb it in with two wires, one to negative and one to positive. My bike starts without a problem despite having no battery.