Topic: Battery life question

[sky56]

Hey everyone my friend recently acquired a cb400 and the battery that's in it is about a season or 2 old. The bike hasn't been started in about the same time frame if I guessed. The battery reads about 9v on my multi meter and he asked me if he fills it up with acid (I have lots of extra battery acid around the garage) and puts it on a trickle charge will it work? I know a new battery isn't very expensive but he's got alot going on at the moment and saving a few bucks at the current time will help him greatly. So will it work? I had no idea which is why I'm posting this. Thanks everyone

Ps he's not planning on any long distance riding but if he can join my friends and I for some city type riding that's what he'll do for the moment once the bike is up and running

[TwoTired]

Hey everyone my friend recently acquired a cb400 and the battery that's in it is about a season or 2 old. The bike hasn't been started in about the same time frame if I guessed. The battery reads about 9v on my multi meter and he asked me if he fills it up with acid (I have lots of extra battery acid around the garage) and puts it on a trickle charge will it work?

No.  Fill it with distilled water and try to charge it.  It might recover but, it is probably sulfated.  More battery acid will make the acid strength too strong and accelerate internal corrosion.  Once the cell interlinks are corroded away, it's only good for recycling.

Ps he's not planning on any long distance riding but if he can join my friends and I for some city type riding that's what he'll do for the moment once the bike is up and running

For city riding, he's going to need a strong battery, as the charging system doesn't put out good power until the engine is revving above 3000 RPM.  Below about 2000 RPM the battery is draining, if the lights are on.

Cheers,

[Kong]

Trash it - the thing is no good.  The very best way to utterly kill a battery is to just let it discharge and then let it set.  From your description that is exactly what someone did to this one.

To answer your question though, a battery that gets any sort of decent treatment will last 3 years and if you don't over heat it, keep it charged and full of electrolyte, and don't store the bike with it partially discharged it should last five years or more.

[bollingball]

Sky you and your friend should read this.

http://www.google.com/search?q=battertstuf&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=