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Post by stevieh on Aug 21, 2005 18:47:07 GMT
I went out on my scooter yesterday for the first time, and it wont start today! When i got the bike the electric start wouldnt work, so I had to use the kick start. Now it wont kick over and the fuel shows empty when it is full up. Im hopeing this is because the battery is totally dead. Its now on charge. Any ideas?
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Post by Gavin on Aug 21, 2005 20:38:37 GMT
As a clue, when my battery was fully charged, it gave a reading of 13.8v It only took about an hour to fully charge.
I don't know if you read my post about getting the electrolyte right when installing the battery. I made a mess of it, and the level in one cell was low, whilst another cell was high, and this seemed to cause starting problems until I equalised the levels.
The fuel guage is electrically operated, so if the battery was totally flat, it would probably show empty, so I think you're right with the flat battery assumption.
As a bit of good news, as soon as I sorted out and recharged the battery, it has started perfectly.
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Post by stevieh on Aug 22, 2005 3:04:20 GMT
Thanks for that. Im a little confused at I would have thought that riding it for 16 miles or so would have put a bit more charge in the battery not totally drain it, unless a fuse hase gone somewhere.
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Post by Gavin on Aug 22, 2005 9:43:49 GMT
Thanks for that. Im a little confused at I would have thought that riding it for 16 miles or so would have put a bit more charge in the battery not totally drain it, unless a fuse hase gone somewhere. Normally it would, but you said that it never started with the electric starter from the start, so the battery is suspect. I think you can rule out a fuse going, as there don't seem to be many fuses in the circuits, but I could be wrong. Lets go back to basics. Are you operating the L/H brake lever when trying to start the scooter? Is the side stand on the scooter in the up position? Both of these must be as above for the scooter to start. Are you turning the throttle half a turn when starting? I will assume you are doing all of these correctly as you have had the scooter running previously, but it might help others. This then leaves the battery. After you charged the battery, was the voltage about 13.8v Are the battery connections tight when the battery is in position? Was the battery installed when you got the scooter, or did it come in a box, along with a combined set of six plastic bottles filled with electrolyte, (which just looks like water), also in the box? If the battery was already fitted, someone could have made a mistake when putting in the electrolyte, but the batteries are usually shipped 'dry' so there is no chance of battery acid leaking out. If you fitted it yourself, did you make sure that all the electrolyte in each bottle went in fully. Each of the six cells of the battery is separate, so each one needs the full content of its own plastic bottle of electrolyte. It the electrolyte levels are wrong, especially low, then this has to be corrected, which again is an awkward job as there are no easily visible signs, (the electrolyte should just cover the metal plates inside the battery), and remember that you are dealing with strong acid here, so safety precautions need to be taken. If you suspect it might be the electrolyte levels, get back to me and I will tell you how I rectified mine.
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Post by stevieh on Aug 22, 2005 11:02:46 GMT
thanks for the indepth analysis I think the problem is now solved. not being mechanically methodical, i did three things. 1 charged the battery overnight. 2 changed the fuse attached to the battery. 3 tightened up the terminal bolts, one of which had a dodgy nut. It now works again, and the electric start too, so I reckon it was a dead battery and dodgy connection. Thanks again.
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Post by Gavin on Aug 22, 2005 13:33:28 GMT
Good to hear you are finally going at last Steve Out of the three options, it would have most likely been, (99.9%), the dodgy battery terminal connector that was causing the problem.
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Post by Ginger Phil on Aug 22, 2005 13:46:52 GMT
Good news Stevie, I was starting to worry especially after all the hassle you had getting it registered.
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Post by stevieh on Aug 22, 2005 15:02:36 GMT
Thanks guys, will take it out again tonight, about 20 mile round trip to drop the battery charger off. Lets hope it hold the charge, and it stops raining
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Post by southlondoner on Aug 22, 2005 18:26:14 GMT
yeah mate i think youll find it was the battery all along. the same thing happened to me - my oil and petrol lights were constantly on - the indicators or leccy start didnt work. I recharged for a few hours and its fine now! ;D
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Post by stevieh on Aug 23, 2005 18:40:47 GMT
I think my battery is knackered. I charged it for 18 hours sunday night to monday lunchtime. Took it to work this morning, statred fine on electric start, and same again coming home. But tonight the electric chugged but didnt fire up, so had to kick start, went for a 10 mile ride, got home and the electric start doesnt even make a noise. Im taking it to a local motorbike shop tomorrow.
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Post by hypojam on Aug 23, 2005 20:14:15 GMT
My battery has died aswell, stupid cheap chinese batterys
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Post by Gavin on Aug 23, 2005 21:30:55 GMT
My battery has died aswell, stupid cheap chinese batterys Mine has been standing for 2 weeks, but started first time this morning. I put it on the side stand whilst I shut the garage door, and naturally the engine cut out. I tried the electric start and the battery was flat, (signified by the fuel guage dropping when I operated the rear brake lever). It started Ok with thr kick start, and I did a few miles with no problems, so it seems like the batterys are not very good, but I don't know if a couple of charges/discharges might improve things. If someone wants reliable starting, I would suggest a decent battery, that's providing the battery is charging OK by the scooter anyway.
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Post by hypojam on Aug 23, 2005 21:55:09 GMT
Gavin, who is that pic of your using as your avatar ;D ?
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drzoom
Forum Master
Posts: 187
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Post by drzoom on Aug 23, 2005 22:05:10 GMT
if your bike is garaged why not invest in one of those trickle charge things that monitor and top up the battery as required when not in use. I think they are called Optimate, or something like that (there are probably several different makes).
I tend to agree that decent quality batteries can make all the difference. The battery in my Dylan has been there since I bought the bike new from the dealers 18 months ago. I've never had to charge it and it starts first time, every time. The only occasion it may need a bit extra persuasion is after it has sat in the shed for 3-4 weeks during the dephs of winter (Snow + Ice = Bus !!), but even then it's never failed to start eventually.
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drzoom
Forum Master
Posts: 187
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Post by drzoom on Aug 23, 2005 22:07:57 GMT
...one word of caution I forgot to mention is don't whatever you do attach the scooter battery to a car battery charger as it will fry it ! It must be a low voltage trickle charge. Sorry if that is obvious to everyone here, but there are some newbies out there who might be uncertain (I hadn't got a clue when I got my first scoot !)
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Post by stevieh on Aug 24, 2005 3:19:19 GMT
Thanks for the words of wisdom guys, I think I'll get a new battery today, they're cheaper than a charger, which I can get at a latter date.
Hypojam, that picture gavin uses looks like the girl from coronation street, cant remember her name, has a daughter called Bethany.
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Post by Gavin on Aug 24, 2005 4:43:34 GMT
...one word of caution I forgot to mention is don't whatever you do attach the scooter battery to a car battery charger as it will fry it ! It must be a low voltage trickle charge. Sorry if that is obvious to everyone here, but there are some newbies out there who might be uncertain (I hadn't got a clue when I got my first scoot !) Not necessarily so, a medium amperage, (say 5 amp) car battery charger can be used, but only for short periods, say 30 - 60 mins. On my battery, it gave charging times for various lengths of charge, something like trickle charge, 10 hours, or a 5 amp charge for 30 minutes. Some battery chargers will automatically reduce the charging current as the battery charges, to prevent damage to the battery, but they should not be left on for extended periods. Like anything else, always read the information supplied with products carefully before use, (says the person who only looks at an instruction book to see how many languages it's printed in) As a PS to this post, totally ignore my advice, and take drzooms advice, only use a trickle charger for charging these scooters (0.5 amp for about 5 hours according to the battery). I used a car charger that said it was suitable for 6v and 12v car and motorcycle batteries, and it evaporated the electrolyte. It turned out that it was only suitable for batteries over 20 amp hours, and the scooter battery is only 4 amp hours
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Post by Gavin on Aug 24, 2005 4:57:01 GMT
Hypojam, that picture gavin uses looks like the girl from coronation street, cant remember her name, has a daughter called Bethany. That's the one, real name Tina O'Brien. She plays Gail Platts daughter, Sarah, in Coronation Street. Now for the forum connection:- In Coronation Street, she has a boyfriend nicknamed 'Scooter' who likes to recycle junk into useable items.
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