Did I ruin my new battery?

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Coyote
Moto GP
Posts: 3404
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Did I ruin my new battery?

Post by Coyote »

Got a new battery for the GS1000 this morning. Added the electrolyte, waited 1.5 hrs. and topped it up. On the charger it went. I checked it at 12.54 volts. Went back 2 hours later - still at 12.54. Waited another hour and checked again. 12.54. Then I noticed (like an idiot) I had the leads reversed. Corrected that and waited another hour. Still at 12.54. Nothing got hot, the charger and battery remained cool. Low amp charger, about 1/2 amp. Did I toast my $40.09 brand new battery?
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
User avatar
Coyote
Moto GP
Posts: 3404
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Re: Did I ruin my new battery?

Post by Coyote »

Good news. it's at 12.94 byy one meter and 13.07 on my newer meter.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
gyrocfi
On the main road
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:50 pm
Location: Pensacola, FL USA

Re: Did I ruin my new battery?

Post by gyrocfi »

Most chargers have a safety circuit that will open if polarity is reversed. got lucky!
77' RD400 Stock
77' RD400 work in progess
76' Suzuki GT500A Titan 2 of 'em
76' RD400 frame, 79' rd400 Daytona bottom 77' top, 75' rd350 wire wheels, Factory products pipes
96' Honda PC800 for towing my RDs
User avatar
Coyote
Moto GP
Posts: 3404
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:41 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT550x2, GT750, GS1000
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Re: Did I ruin my new battery?

Post by Coyote »

Battery is in and working great. I checked the charging system - also working good. About 12.6 volts at idle up to 14.1 at higher rpms. It's a smooth curve as the rpms rise.
When I bought the bike in 95, it had a fried voltage regulator. The PO had wired around it and the bike was running on a constant loss. Not a good idea as these things MUST have a hot battery to run. I guess that's why they didn't put any provision for a kicker. If the battery is dead or near dead, you ain't going nowhere pal, and all the kicking in the world won't start it.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.

.
1978 GS1000C
1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
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