Topic: Battery question...

[Scout]

This is probably a very stupid question, but I have to ask anyway....

I got my bike working pretty good mechanically, but now it has developed a new problem. It does not seem to be charging the battery... Before I delve into diagnosing the problem, I was wondering if there is such a thing as an incompatible battery? I bought a Sears sealed battery for it, which is supposed to be charged at 1.2Amps. Well, my main charger only does 2Amps, and the battery tender junior does 0.75Amps... Could the charging at higher amperage have killed the battery prematurely? It's about 5 months old.  Also, is it possible that the charging system isn't designed to charge this battery?

And the last question, if I have the battery drained to a point that I have to use the kickstarter, would a 15 min highway ride charge it enough so that I could start it with the button, or is that too short?

Scout

[eldar]

Well 2 amps should not have killed it unless you left it a long time. It would be hard to say though. Put it on the tender for a few hours and then take a reading of the battery. If it is below 12 volts, it is probably a goner. If it is over 12, put it in your bike and rev to over 2000 rpm and take a voltage reading. You should be around 12.5 at least I think.

[TwoTired]

I was wondering if there is such a thing as an incompatible battery?

Of course.

I bought a Sears sealed battery for it, which is supposed to be charged at 1.2Amps. Well, my main charger only does 2Amps, and the battery tender junior does 0.75Amps... Could the charging at higher amperage have killed the battery prematurely? It's about 5 months old. 

If you've had it on a 2 amp charger(non-automatic) for 5 months, It probably overheated on day 2.

Charging at a lower rate just takes longer.  The tender shouldn't overcharge the battery.

Also, is it possible that the charging system isn't designed to charge this battery?

Post a pointer to the battery type and model number.

And the last question, if I have the battery drained to a point that I have to use the kickstarter, would a 15 min highway ride charge it enough so that I could start it with the button, or is that too short?

Most likely.  But, I can't do the calculation until I have a battery spec. and whether your bike's electrical loads are stock. (headlight?)

cheers,