How long do batteries last? - update

[nakes]

The battery in my RVF was replaced March 2004. It's never shown any sign of failure... seemed strong as ever yesterday.

Then today I put the key in the ignition, turn the key, lights go on, hit start and everything goes off... dead, nothing except the alarm works(but it sounds 'wonky' like the battery is flat)

All the fuses are fine.

Do batteries just die completely?.. don't they usually show signs that they are running down?

How long do they last generally?

[CMSMJ1]

I would have said 3 years or so...

sure that your main fuse is still there? if the alarm works you should still be able to light your headlamps on it?

[nakes]

main fuse is still there and seems fine... now if only I still had a multi meter that works...

[CMSMJ1]

do you get a click when you try to turn it over? or the lights go on, turn key and nothing?

[nakes]

do you get a click when you try to turn it over? or the lights go on, turn key and nothing?

It's completely dead, when i turn the key it's as if there's no battery in.. but there's enough power for the alarm and alarm relay so the alarm disarms when I turn the ignition but everything else is completely dead even the hooter/horn is dead.

Also, I just tried to give it a boost charge with a battery charger but when i connect the battery to the charger the charger needle stays on zero... doesn't even move

Oh and the alarm gets power straight from the battery but it doesn't drain the battery because it uses an always open trigger switch.

[keithcar]

I would say wow! yeah... if that battery has been in there since 04, you got your moneys worth out of it. These batteries have hard lives.

same happened on mine, battery worked fine until one day, then it wouldnt accept a charge. Its really hard on reg/rec's.

[Morespeedvicar]

Hiya,
sounds like one of the cells has dropped (gone open circuit), they do go all of a sudden, tho i've been lucky and its always happened at home.
I usually swap my car batteries every 3 years but my last car batterty did that one morning but was still in warrenty (by 3 days) and the guy in the shop said it had done well lasting nearly 3 years.
Tho gell batteries like the nc30 has seem to last longer than the older style wet cell batteries like cars/older bikes have.

Cheers
Ian

[wullvfr]

get a battery that you know is good from a friend or get a car close enough and get the jump leads onto the bike and see what happens

if everything starts and does as it should then you know the battery is goosed

and buy yourself multimeter



william

[hunter]

the alarm may have it's own battery

[NC35!]

Tho gell batteries like the nc30 has seem to last longer than the older style wet cell batteries like cars/older bikes have.

The NC30 standard battery, Yuasa YTX7A, is not a gel battery, its an SLA (Sealed Lead-Acid) battery. There's a big difference in the two technologies.