Battery Problem/Questions

[LAJAMA]

Hi,

1) I have a battery on my 2005 RX-1 that I have kept on a Battery Tender since last winter........but when I tried to start my RX-1, all I got was "clicking"...........the Battery Tender then indicated a red light (previously it was green) after a few minutes the Battery Tender blinked green indicating 80% charged and then after a few hours the green light came on indicated full charge.....but when I tried to start it again, the same "clicking" again even though the Battery Tender indicated that it was fully charged............my battery is only a few years old...............is there any chance that there some type of connection problem or is my battery most likely shot?

2) On my other 2005 RX-1 I replaced it with an Odyssey Battery and that started right away without even being on the Odyssey battery Maintenance Charger ...............but my question is the battery that I used is slightly bigger in size so that I had to modify the installation and I couldn't put the stock plastic battery cover back over the battery.........is there a problem with the battery cover not being on the battery (will potential snow contact cause shorting problems)? If so, do you have any suggestions as to what I can use protect the battery from water ...........like covering it with a heavy duty plastic bag or something?

Thank for any help that anyone can give me.

With the heat and humidity this summer. I am looking forward to a nice long cold and snowy snowmobile season this year!

 

[Vectornut]

I believe the problem is about "cold cranking amps" My battery after 5 years showed it was fully charged but would hardly turn over the engine. I brought the battery to my dealer and his tester showed that the "cca" was only 35% explaining why the slow turnover in my case. I was expecting to have to replace the starter which is not an easy task. Replacing the battery was easier.

 

[thor452]

just click can be caused by nasty coroded terminals.need to look at it first off and if all looks good then pull batt and have it load tested any place that sells batteries should offer this as a free service. snow/watter contact will cause problems at a minimum i would get some batt terminal sealer it comes in a spray can and coats like high tach helps keep conections from getting moist.i would not cover it with plastic it needs to be able to breath even if its sealed it could have a problem that would allow expolsive gasses to escape never keep batteries in a unvented situation.

 

[Irv]

Similar question.

How often should one charge the battery?

I put mine on my battery tender Jr and charged it fully and left it on for a day thinking it would just trickle charge the battery occassionally but when I touched the Battery Tender I couldn't believe how hot it was?

My sled had been fired up and fogged the same day so I know my battery was good, I was just surprised at the temp of the BT.

I had planned on leaving it connected but then thought it would be pricey electrically $$ so I unplugged it.

When should I re-charge my battery the next time? I have heard about once a month, is that correct?

 

[bottlerocket]

My guess would be a bad cell or 2.

 

[Dimebag]

My guess would be a bad cell or 2.

X2.

 

[09nytro]

My guess would be a bad cell or 2.

That's what I would guess too

 

[yamahas]

Similar question.

How often should one charge the battery?

I put mine on my battery tender Jr and charged it fully and left it on for a day thinking it would just trickle charge the battery occassionally but when I touched the Battery Tender I couldn't believe how hot it was?

My sled had been fired up and fogged the same day so I know my battery was good, I was just surprised at the temp of the BT.

I had planned on leaving it connected but then thought it would be pricey electrically $$ so I unplugged it.

When should I re-charge my battery the next time? I have heard about once a month, is that correct?

I try to charge them once a month during the off season.

 

[thor452]

the tender is always working so it will produce heat and cost money to run not a ton but still you also may have a bad cell with tender off and batt at full charge check voltage at batt it should be 12.6 volts when at rest 12.3 volts or less you have a bad cell and should replace the batery so you dont run into trouble in the winter. if it is 12.5 and up the batery is working on all cells and the tender is just getting hot cause it is changing ac to dc and probably is not vented enuff. if you are concerned for the light bill then yes once a month for a day or two will be fine.

 

[Irv]

Thanks guys, I am going to try it again soon and see what happens?

I had no issues firing it up as it had plenty of juice still after sitting for 5 weeks.
If a cell or 2 were bad, would it still start that easy and have plenty of juice?
My sled is an 08 with approx 3000 miles and I assume it is the original battery?

 

[bottlerocket]

My pick up battery was the same way. Autozone checked it and it was good by there equipment. Every once in a while it acted dead. Took it to the dealer and there more extensive machine showed 2 bad cells.

 

[sleddog66]

I'm not saying if it is or is not the problem. but why are you even screwing with a 6 year old battery. Replace it and go from there. There are better batteries than stock out there anyway.

 

[Irv]

I'm not saying if it is or is not the problem. but why are you even screwing with a 6 year old battery. Replace it and go from there. There are better batteries than stock out there anyway.

I just hate replacing something that doesn't need to be changed.

I will, before the season starts, have it load tested and go from there.

What do you recommend as a replacement?

 

[thor452]

Thanks guys, I am going to try it again soon and see what happens?

I had no issues firing it up as it had plenty of juice still after sitting for 5 weeks.
If a cell or 2 were bad, would it still start that easy and have plenty of juice?My sled is an 08 with approx 3000 miles and I assume it is the original battery?

yes when it is warm out it will still crank but when its -10 it will not have the power to crank. that batery is probably on its last leg and can go at any time best to replace now while you can choose what to get instead of what is in stock at the repair shop on a trip. if you choose not to replace it then I would be sure your jumper cables are in good working order before leaving on a trip.

 

[Blue Dave]

I wouldn't worry about the larger battery being uncovered if your terminals are clean, tight, and covered with dialectric grease or similar. However I do not see the need to try to fit a larger battery in the sled.

My stock '07 battery is still going strong (with regular use of my Optimate 4 charger on & off season). The stock battery has always been sufficient for me.

Even if you feel that you need an upgraded battery I am sure that there must be something that will fit in the stock enclosure.