Car battery testing..?

[ajlelectronics]

I'm having the same issue with the bike. Heated grips and seat in use most of the time and it just isn't being replenished properly. I had to jump start it yesterday, so I think I need to be looking for a new one. Expensive business, they cost more than a diesel battery for the Transit. Last bike battery I bought about 5 years ago was £100.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Last bike battery I bought about 5 years ago was £100.

 

[Farside]

I'm having the same issue with the bike. Heated grips and seat in use most of the time and it just isn't being replenished properly. I had to jump start it yesterday, so I think I need to be looking for a new one. Expensive business, they cost more than a diesel battery for the Transit. Last bike battery I bought about 5 years ago was £100.

That's the BMW premium, innit.
Oddball sized battery, gets you going back to the dealer.
They tried that trick on the R80/7, but I found that by leaving the tool tray out I could fit a Robin battery under the seat, for about a third of the cost of the official battery.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Just looked it up, £127 now, unless I go for something lesser. I'm tempted to just keep it on the battery tender because it's only 19AH and can't be expected to cope with such a load with only a six mile journey each way. I am seeing the correct terminal Voltage so there may be nothing up with it.

There are more expensive versions too! £180.25

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/302154029029

 

[armalites]

On some cars I have found there is a noticeable difference to they way drive after a new battery is fitted. It's easy to forget that with a heavily discharged battery the alternator has to work harder and hence puts more load on the engine.

 

[ukracer]

I'm having the same issue with the bike. Heated grips and seat in use most of the time and it just isn't being replenished properly. I had to jump start it yesterday, so I think I need to be looking for a new one. Expensive business, they cost more than a diesel battery for the Transit. Last bike battery I bought about 5 years ago was £100.

Saab is the same. Everytime you use the heater the heated seats kick in..lol

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I am seeing the correct terminal Voltage so there may be nothing up with it.

Aye, it'll be taking a hammering at that typical usage, esp at this time of year.

 

[Eric the chicken]

That's the BMW premium, innit.
Oddball sized battery, gets you going back to the dealer.
They tried that trick on the R80/7, but I found that by leaving the tool tray out I could fit a Robin battery under the seat, for about a third of the cost of the official battery.

Was it R80/7 where the battery was so awkward to get in and out the they reckoned that the BMW factory began by hanging the battery in midair and assembled the 'bike round it? (just joking honest)

 

[Ton-up]

Be careful when jumping newer car, use surgeproof leads.
A guy I was working with last week had his BMW 3 series in the garage because he did a good deed and helped someone get going in a supermarket by jump starting their car. Bloke who he helped drove off and the guy tried to drive off but the car wouldn't change gear!
He had to have a new gearbox ecu.

 

[Wozzaaah]

But it does not show a europe supplier...

I bought mine 2nd hand from a chap who sells batteries so they’re definitely available here.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Be careful when jumping newer car, use surgeproof leads.
A guy I was working with last week had his BMW 3 series in the garage because he did a good deed and helped someone get going in a supermarket by jump starting their car. Bloke who he helped drove off and the guy tried to drive off but the car wouldn't change gear!
He had to have a new gearbox ecu.

I am aware that this is a popular opinion, but I can't see any way that can happen. I have also never come across "surge proof" leads. However I am happy to hear a scientific explanation for it, should there actually be one.

Just like the "remove ecu etc when welding" myth, I think it is just Chinese whispers but will keep an open mind.

 

[brightspark]

where does the surge come from??no different to putting a new battery on clipping leads across.it can only put 12 volts across

 

[Farside]

Was it R80/7 where the battery was so awkward to get in and out the they reckoned that the BMW factory began by hanging the battery in midair and assembled the 'bike round it? (just joking honest)

I think that was one of the Guzzis, and certainly several modern Jap bikes are guilty of that. The R80 was dead simple for access, just like most bikes of its era - the only gotcha was the oddball size of the battery.