 How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537 |
Just wondering if and how often you guys check your battery fluid levels?
I checked mine within a few weeks of getting my '06 America and the levels were down below the top of the lead plates. I topped all cells up and the battery is performing fine at the moment. I suppose I'm just buying time until a replacement battery is needed though? Not the easiest set-up to check the level on in-situ so maybe a few owners just ignore this task until the battery begins to fail?
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Well John, I gotta tell ya it's been a long time since I used a battery that wasn't sealed or what they call maintenance free, be it in my bike or car. But when I did run with batteries that required maintenance I would check routinely... like maybe every month or so.
Yeah, it would be hard to get in there and check a cell on the battery in one of our bike... a royal PITA I'd say. When it comes to buying your next battery, might I suggest a sealed unit... they are so much easier.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
I thought they all came with sealed batteries.
If that was the case yours has been changed.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Dec 2010
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The battery did say it was sealed with large lettering - "DO NOT OPEN" but to me that was a warning I couldn't let rest so I merely popped off the long cap on the top of the battery with a small sharp screwdriver and lo & behold there were all the cells half empty. If a dog wags it's tail I pat it. If a battery looks a bit low in the cells, I top it up. 
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Oh, okay John. Hmmm, I wonder if it was low from the get-go? 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
You top off batteries with distilled water? That was the prescription in the days of olde
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
The battery on my bike is a sealed battery. It is an AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) they have a gel in them you are not supposed to top them up. I hope you have done the right thing. 
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
AGM's are sealed for a reason.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2010
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The bike is a 2006 model that didn't have a lot of miles when I bought it back in December (6,000kms) so maybe this is its second battery as it certainly looks like a normal lead acid battery to me? Indeed I hope I have done the right thing but the battery seems to be operating OK
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
I'm glad the battery seems to be working out for you John... maybe just keep a close eye out for corrosion on everything around the battery for a while. I'm concerned caustic fumes might escape from the top of the battery, 'tis all.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
Quote:
I'm glad the battery seems to be working out for you John... maybe just keep a close eye out for corrosion on everything around the battery for a while. I'm concerned caustic fumes might escape from the top of the battery, 'tis all.
Get out of that cabin Keith. Batteries have acid not caustic. 
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Quote:
I'm glad the battery seems to be working out for you John... maybe just keep a close eye out for corrosion on everything around the battery for a while. I'm concerned caustic fumes might escape from the top of the battery, 'tis all.
Get out of that cabin Keith. Batteries have acid not caustic.
That time you lost me Frank... but it's not saying I haven't been lost before!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I'm glad the battery seems to be working out for you John... maybe just keep a close eye out for corrosion on everything around the battery for a while. I'm concerned caustic fumes might escape from the top of the battery, 'tis all.
Get out of that cabin Keith. Batteries have acid not caustic.
That time you lost me Frank... but it's not saying I haven't been lost before!
Jo says I've been lost for years, glad I'm not the only club member.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level? *DELETED*
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Post deleted by locopony
Last edited by locopony; 02/08/2011 4:46 PM.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
When will this lad learn some social grace (rhetorical question... no need to answer)?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202 |
I bought a new America in '03 and never once checked the fluid level in the battery.....in 2010 I had to replace the battery.....probably would have lasted through the summer, but my new Procom igniter turned out to be extremely "voltage sensitive".....I doubt I'll be checking the electrolyte level much in the new battery......
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Frank,watch what you say to Keith because his balcony is very high up in those hills and I don't think all the snow we've had will break his fall.Being as winter is half over and spring just around the cornor a man becomes very fragile at this time.You must have seen him lookin out his window all dressed and ready to ride.Keith hang in there buddy,get the tobogon out. 
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
Marty, Keiths OK. When I last had a word with Keith he said that their riding season generally starts about the 1st. April.  Not long now Keith.  3 good things happen on the 1st. April this year. Keith, you and your fellow Canadians can go riding. It is my birthday. (No jokes please I have heard them all). Jo & I will be on holiday in Bali. I will be in the hotel pool having a cool beer at the pool bar. 
Last edited by FrankW; 02/13/2011 12:34 AM.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
On April 1st, be sure to check into ba.com from your poolside recliner for all your birthday wishes!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: How often to check battery fluid level?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Bali...Bali he says. Why don't you and Jo come to the great white north and try some.... ice fishing. Yep doesn't that sound like fun???? Snowmobiling....downhill skiing, snowshoeing....brrrrrr  Or, given your sailing prowness, you could try some sailing on the ice. But Bali....that's no different from where you currently live. Come on Frank...expand your horizons. Freeze your butt for a while like most of your BA.com friends. What's this have to do with batteries anyway?  Oh yah...I never check mine because they are generally sealed after filling. Our bikes don't usually overcharge which is the main cause of water loss in the solution.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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