Topic: Is 10 amps enough ????

[aussie]

Howdy,
 I have limited room(cafe racer conversion) and brought a cheap 12v 10a/h battery , part number ytx12a-bs. Fits great in the space i have, bike fires up and runs all lights work ,except the starter wont turn. Does the starter need more juice than 10 amps?
When you hit the start button theres a clicking sound from the solenoid, as if it has a flat battery.
Would it be the lower capacity battery, or maybe a crook starter solenoid?

[ev0lution7]

um... i hate to break it to you...

but cafe's are usually KICK ONLY for that very same reason... i think you need more than 10A battery to turn over the starter...

its not like a well tuned SOHC is hard to start on the first kick 

[aussie]

um... i hate to break it to you...

but cafe's are usually KICK ONLY for that very same reason... i think you need more than 10A battery to turn over the starter...

its not like a well tuned SOHC is hard to start on the first kick 

The standard battery is only 12amps and theres not that huge a difference, im aware of the kick only part.But was curious as to how much it takes to turn over the starter.

[TwoTired]

Starter motors draw about 120 amps.

Application:   Motorcycle/Scooter
Manufacturer:    Koyo, PowerSonic
Model Number:    YTX12A-BS
Dimensions (in):    6 x 3 7/16 x 5 1/8
Post Type:    
Bolt On
Description:    Sealed 12V Maintenance Free
CCA @0°F:    140  <-----Cold cranking amps
CA @32°F:    210  <-----Cranking amps at normal temps

The battery should spin the starter if it is properly charged up.

If not, bad solenoid, bad starter, bad connections

What gauge wiring for the starter motor do you have?

[aussie]

Starter motors draw about 120 amps.

Application:   Motorcycle/Scooter
Manufacturer:    Koyo, PowerSonic
Model Number:    YTX12A-BS
Dimensions (in):    6 x 3 7/16 x 5 1/8
Post Type:    
Bolt On
Description:    Sealed 12V Maintenance Free
CCA @0°F:    140  <-----Cold cranking amps
CA @32°F:    210  <-----Cranking amps at normal temps

The battery should spin the starter if it is properly charged up.

If not, bad solenoid, bad starter, bad connections

What gauge wiring for the starter motor do you have?

Thanks two tired,i sort of thought it should have too. As for gauge im not sure its heavier than the standard wire

[Bodi]

This battery may be fine, the 10 amps is the amp-hour rating not the current capability - it should supply one amp for ten hours or 100 amps for 6 minutes.
You absolutely need a heavy gauge wire from battery "+" to the solenoid and another from the solenoid to the starter motor plus a heavy gauge ground wire from battery "-" to the frame and engine.
Smaller batteries, although still able to supply over 100 amps, are weaker than the stock size. This one might crank the engine over but it might not. It's almost certain to be insufficient if you've installed a big-bore and/or high compression piston kit. Even the original battery has some trouble with such mods.

[johnny_from_bel]

at 120 amps you loose a lot in the transfert. Voltage may drop to as low as 8V.
Car shops sell that very thick wire 25mm2 or so. That is what you need on the starter engine.
Else it is like say above. solenoid etc....

[TwoTired]

Thanks two tired,i sort of thought it should have too. As for gauge im not sure its heavier than the standard wire

No such thing as standard wire.  They all have gauge ratings.  Stock was about 8 gauge, I estimate.  This was fine for the length used in the stock bike.  If you have increased the distance or length of the wire then you may have to go to 6 GA.

Don't neglect the starter motor return path.  The motor needs two high current paths connecting to the battery posts.  Both the POS path and the NEG path are equally important.

Anyway, to isolate the solenoid, just lay something thick and metallic across the big posts of the solenoid.  If the motor spins, the solenoid isn't making a good connection between those posts when activated.

According to the battery specifications, the battery you chose should have enough juice to turn the motor.  Not as long as the proper battery, and don't expect it to last as long as the stock one.  But, it should spin it over for a short while if it has sufficient charge.

Cheers,

[malcolmgb]

um... i hate to break it to you...

but cafe's are usually KICK ONLY for that very same reason...  

No no! a 'Cafe' should be bump started, much more impressive 

[ev0lution7]

No such thing as standard wire.  They all have gauge ratings.  Stock was about 8 gauge, I estimate.

that reminds me of a plack that i have "nailed" to the wall.....

i inheareted it from my grandmother...

one day my grandmother went to her dad (this was when she bought her first house in 67') and asked for some nails... he said sure what size? she said... you know those universal nails...he chuckled and said were there are different sizes... 1 penny 2 penny 3 penny ect... so he took a look at what she was trying to fix (some door trim) and gave her the right size nail....

a few months later... it was her birthday and she got a box that rattled... inside was a plauqe.... that had a 10 penny nail glued to it... on the top it said "the universal nail"

it has always been a family joke about sizes of nails... i always think of that story when i hear people say throw some extra wire in there just it doesnt matter...