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[ultrafxr]

I normally keep my bike on a battery tender but had it out of the garage for cleaning last week and did not hook it up.  So it was off the tender for maybe a week or ten days.  When I went to ride yesterday the battery was so low it would barely turn over the motor - and this is a new battery, only four months old.  I put it back on the tender and we'll see if it comes back up - still charging after 15 hours.

So in that short a time could the security system have drained the battery that much?  Or has anyone had a new battery fail in such a short time?

[CVORick]

Could be a marginal battery.  Had a new one die after 3 weeks because I left my lights on while eating lunch.  The battery was just a bad one, it happens.  Have your charging system checked and make sure it is working properly.  Tender will take a day or two to recharge a fully discharged battery.

[grc]

I normally keep my bike on a battery tender but had it out of the garage for cleaning last week and did not hook it up.  So it was off the tender for maybe a week or ten days.  When I went to ride yesterday the battery was so low it would barely turn over the motor - and this is a new battery, only four months old.  I put it back on the tender and we'll see if it comes back up - still charging after 15 hours.

So in that short a time could the security system have drained the battery that much?  Or has anyone had a new battery fail in such a short time?

Assuming the siren battery was fully charged, the rest of the security system should only draw a few milliamps.  So I would say no, letting the bike sit for a week to ten days should not appreciably drain the battery.

If you have the manual for your model, it should list all the various milliamp current draws for the radio memory, security system, etc.  The later models will most likely be slightly different, but my '05 lists average draws of 1.0 for the ECM, 0.5 for the Speedo, 0.5 for the Tach, 3.0 for the security system, 2.0 for the voltage regulator, and 4.0 for the radio. 

What is the build date on the battery?  Should be an alpha-numeric code like "M9" or "9M" which would translate to December of 09.  The battery may only be 4 months old from the date you bought it, but it could be much older than that from the date it was manufactured.  If you bought it from a local dealer, it should be under warranty.  Have them load test it and replace it if it's a dud.  If you bought it mail order, like through Jenny, a local dealer should still handle it under the warranty but if they won't I would give her a call.


Jerry

[ultrafxr]

Thanks guys for the input.  I left it on the tender until after lunch then checked it.  It was at 12.6 volts so I pulled it out and had both Auto Zone and the dealer perform a load test on it and it tested good at both places.  So I'm wondering what could have drained it.  I looked at the electrical manual and can do the milliapmere draw test as you suggested Jerry so I'll check that out.

[skreminegul07]

Have seen a bad voltage regulator draw way too much.

[awalker14]

How do you check the draw on the voltage regulator?  My battery is kept on a tender, less than one year old, and I had to jump it after stopping for a beer the other day.  Tried restarting once I got home and the starter dragged slow, then wouldn't turn.  Checked all connections which seem fine.  Volt meter reads a little over 12v when tested, but volt meter on bike is showing about 10.5-11 when ignition switch is turned on. Ideas?