STRANGE Never seen this before

[Coyote]

This is a Parts Unlimited battery. Battery is 2 years old and has never been used. This was a replacement my bike shop got on a warranty as the first one was defective. The battery was 6 months back ordered. In the interim I bought another battery because I didn't want to be without. When the replacement came, the bike shop filled it. Too late to turn back.
So it's been sitting on the shelf for 2 years and it has done something very strange. All the caps were bright yellow when new. I have batteries that lasted 5 or 6 years and the caps never discolored.
From the left the first on has turned black.. The second one is normal. The third is green. Then 2 more normal ones, and the final one is brown. WHAT GIVES ????? Anyone experience this before?

[gt-keith]

Yes...

I had the same same thing on a lead acid battery on my 380, the caps were white and one had turned a grey/black colour.

Just thought maybe all the caps weren't made from the same batch of plastic and some were being affected by the acid.

[Coyote]

Acid vapor maybe. The battery has always been stored in a totally upright position. I guess the battery is good. It was only charged once by the bike shop that filled it 2 years ago. I just checked it and it's still holding 11.75 volts.

[tricky1962]

Irrespective of the colour of your caps, I believe that 11.75V is too low. I would guess you have a knackered cell, minimum voltage should be 12.3V? Ready to be corrected on this

[Coyote]

I know what a full charge is, but after sitting for 2 years I don't think 11.75 is bad at all. I'll charge it and report what I get.

[Coyote]

Put the battery on my battery tender junior yesterday evening. This morning she is fully charged to 13.4 and the tender is maintaining it. If you don't have a battery tender, this is how it works.
There are 4 phases.
Flashing red means the battery can't be charged, indicating a bad cell.
Solid red means the battery is charging. It was solid red when I plugged it in yesterday.
Flashing green indicates the battery is 80% charged.
Solid green indicates the battery is fully charged and being maintained at that level. This morning it is solid green.

Everybody should own at least one. They are not that expensive and they work great. I own 2 -- one for each bike.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-02 ... B000CITK8S" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tricky1962]

Standing corrected. Best of luck

[gt-keith]

A battery showing 11.75 volts is only 30% charged, I think you may find once removed from the charger it will not hold it's charge for long.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/william.wh ... dition.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Coyote]

Well gt-keith, I took the battery / tender off the battery and put it back on my GS1000. I will wait a few days (even though your chart says 1 hour) and report back.