« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Rain = dead battery?  (Read 3716 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 4n2twstr

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 33
Rain = dead battery?
« on: May 23, 2012, 10:02:21 AM »
So I didn't have my bike cover w/ me and left my bike out in the rain during this past Monday's downpour.  Now bike won't start, very faint lights, won't even kick-start.  My question is- could rain kill a battery?  I am pretty sure my battery was on its way out and it was just coincidental but I was just curious.  I got my seat re-upholstered and water seems to seep through easier as there was water on top of battery.  Pulled out battery from bike and it seems that I may have a dead cell since multimeter readings drop after trickle charging.  My second question- if I ride the bike w/ this dead battery, am I just asking to get stranded? (pretty sure I it's a yes).  My bike's charging system is OK.  Thx, btw already ordered new battery (Scorpion AGM).  Googled current battery and it's for freakin lawn mowers that got awful Lowes reviews, thx PO!
Logged

bollingball

  • Guest
Re: Rain = dead battery?
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2012, 11:16:52 AM »
Must have left the wipers on ;D

am I just asking to get stranded?  YES

Ken
Logged

Offline 4n2twstr

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 33
Re: Rain = dead battery?
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2012, 12:10:35 PM »
Not the wipers but the heated seats!

Ha, yeah def the battery after further testing.  Was all just coincidental w/ the downpour I guess...
Logged

Offline stereosilence

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 544
  • 1975 CB550K
Re: Rain = dead battery?
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2012, 12:24:06 PM »
Most car/bike batteries are not deep cycle, meaning they are not meant to be run all the way out. It is possible that the water acted as a conductor from some exposed hot wire to the frame and drained the battery. I would eyeball it and try to cover up any exposed wires. Hopefully a new battery is the answer and you won't have any trouble in the future...
Logged

Offline 4n2twstr

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 33
Re: Rain = dead battery?
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2012, 01:48:51 PM »
^ That makes perfect sense specially cuz I left the connector for my trickle charger exposed and was soaked.  Never leaving the bike outside w/out a cover anymore, that's for sure.  Thx.
Logged

Offline LesterPiglet

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,046
  • 1977 CB550F2
Re: Rain = dead battery?
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2012, 01:50:45 PM »
I would guess water got into your wiring and made a few connections. Lots of WD40 required.
Logged
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Rigid

  • She likes a
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 821
  • Speak from personal experience, or don't
    • KingCustomCycles
Re: Rain = dead battery?
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2012, 02:09:37 PM »
Yes, water and even dirt and humidity between the terminals can drain a marginal battery.  This can actually be measured with one probe of a multimeter on a terminal and the other on the top case of a dirty battery.  I washed my truck once, rinsed under the hood, killed the battery dead.
Logged
36 years of this stuff, here to help.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »