Bad case of dumb-rear, left my key on all day at work and killed the battery...

[Spyder Monkey]

Doh! Nothing like being in a hurry to get home (had to get the boy to a Boy Scout thing) only to find your Spyder's battery is dead because you left the key on all day...

And it was the original battery on an 08 so that sucker is probably toast. Even if it starts after spending the night on the charger I won't trust it for my big road trip this summer.

Time to go research batteries... Not looking for a deal, looking for the best money can buy because I am planning on some electrical farkles. (Yeah I know, it is the alternator that determines power budget, not battery but some of my farkles will be powered when the bike is off).

David

 

[SpyderDen]

Not good but, could have been worse if someone rode off with the key turned on. Good luck.

 

[Bob Denman]

You can look at it this way: :shocked:
A five year-old battery has probably already given the best years' of it's life in service to you.
Replacing it would have had to be showing up on your, "To-Do" list pretty soon anyway...
Happy Shopping! :thumbup:

 

[MouthPiece]

Good luck on your battery search.
Someone gave me a Shorai battery.

While I'm not one to look a gift battery in the plates, I would not really recommend this type of battery for the Spyder.

The specs look great but I suspect some creative Specmanship going on.

My Spyder is equipped with an ammeter and while I haven't had any trouble with the battery the wild swings on the ammeter are very unnerving. I carry a small battery pack charger in anticipation of battery failure.

Good to see you're back and posting, Roger. I was becoming a bit concerned.

Chris

 

[SpyderWolf]

I am running Interstate batteries in our Spyders. My stock battery crapped out on me during the 2011 Owners Event and luckily there was an Interstate distributor in the next town over. I have had great service from them so far. I also have a secondary battery, same Interstate model, in my trunk to power my auxiliary LEDs. I have the 2 batteries connected to a battery isolator that is attached to the frame underneath the seat pan. This allows me to run those LEDs as long as I want without ever running down my starter battery again. Of course, all bets are off if I leave the key on like you did this time.

 

[mxz600]

Battery. These things have a battery?

 

[Bob Ledford]

Battery

While you discharged the battery to the totally discharged state it should recover with the aid of a good trickle charger in 24 hours.

Before you do anything make sure the top of your battery is clean and dry. A lot of folks fail to keep the top between the positive and negative terminal clean thereby eliminating a potentially hidden short. Don't believe that? Put a voltmeter on very low VDC and put it on the negative terminal and somewhere on the top between the positive terminal. Surprised you didn't it? This won't work unless the top is grungier then clean.

If your battery has filler caps on its top? Try this trick. If you have a hydrometer check the specific gravity of each cell they should be in the white or green on the bulb. Any in the RED indicates a bad cell.

IF YOU GET LIQUID ON YOUR FINGERS DO NOT RUB OR TOUCH ANYTHING BUT SOAP AND WATER ASAP. BATTERY ACID WILL RUIN ANYTHING IT TOUCHS PANTS, SHIRTS, SKIN, EYES, even doorknobs.

If you cannot do the above but have a DC voltmeter then try this trick. Take one lead and attach it to one external battery post. Then take a small gage solid wire and strip ALL the insulation off it and wrap about half of it around the remaining probes tip. Then dip ONLY the wire into the first cell on either end of the battery. You want a reading that goes up not negative volts. It should read better then a volt and less then 3VDC. As you progress across all the cells the voltage should increase. If it drops you have a bad cell. Get a new battery. This is one of the tricks Dad passed on to me years ago and it works in a pinch.

If you suspect that your battery is suspected to have the signs of leaking or overcharging because it has a moist coating on it. Lightly touch it with a finger tip then touch the spot with your tongue. If you taste nothing it's just grunge. However, if it tastes sour or bitter it has a coating of battery acid on it. You can neutralize it by mixing a paste up of baking soda and water. It may fizz on a really grungy battery. Apply with an old brush of some sort and rinse thoroughly with plain water. Dry and drive on with your testing..

 

[Blue Star]

Some good advise

While you discharged the battery to the totally discharged state it should recover with the aid of a good trickle charger in 24 hours.

Before you do anything make sure the top of your battery is clean and dry. A lot of folks fail to keep the top between the positive and negative terminal clean thereby eliminating a potentially hidden short. Don't believe that? Put a voltmeter on very low VDC and put it on the negative terminal and somewhere on the top between the positive terminal. Surprised you didn't it? This won't work unless the top is grungier then clean.

If your battery has filler caps on its top? Try this trick. If you have a hydrometer check the specific gravity of each cell they should be in the white or green on the bulb. Any in the RED indicates a bad cell.

IF YOU GET LIQUID ON YOUR FINGERS DO NOT RUB OR TOUCH ANYTHING BUT SOAP AND WATER ASAP. BATTERY ACID WILL RUIN ANYTHING IT TOUCHS PANTS, SHIRTS, SKIN, EYES, even doorknobs.

If you cannot do the above but have a DC voltmeter then try this trick. Take one lead and attach it to one external battery post. Then take a small gage solid wire and strip ALL the insulation off it and wrap about half of it around the remaining probes tip. Then dip ONLY the wire into the first cell on either end of the battery. You want a reading that goes up not negative volts. It should read better then a volt and less then 3VDC. As you progress across all the cells the voltage should increase. If it drops you have a bad cell. Get a new battery. This is one of the tricks Dad passed on to me years ago and it works in a pinch.

If you suspect that your battery is suspected to have the signs of leaking or overcharging because it has a moist coating on it. Lightly touch it with a finger tip then touch the spot with your tongue. If you taste nothing it's just grunge. However, if it tastes sour or bitter it has a coating of battery acid on it. You can neutralize it by mixing a paste up of baking soda and water. It may fizz on a really grungy battery. Apply with an old brush of some sort and rinse thoroughly with plain water. Dry and drive on with your testing..

but the battery on the Spyder sits on it's side, and is a sealed type. At least for my old 2010 RS it was.

 

[mclaw44]

Battery. These things have a battery?

He He!! this reminds me of the old post about silly things people said or asked about the Spyder. Such as "does that thing you gas".....as you are at the pump filling up:roflblack::roflblack:..

I loved that thread!!! read it for hours laughing. Sorry for the off topic comment just made me giggle when I read mxz600 comment!

 

[Sarge707]

Whats wrong with the stock Battery as a replacement????

 

[SpyderWolf]

Whats wrong with the stock Battery as a replacement????

Nothing really, and I know plenty of people who have used them. In my case there was no stock battery available at the time, the dealer at the owners event wasn't able to get one quickly so I did what I had to. Since it has provided me with great service I decided to keep using them. I also know a lot of people highly recommend the Odyssey battery as a replacement.

 

[vampyregirl]

I finally had time to get my Spyder out today!!! And the battery is dead..... It was on a trickle charger for the winter. 2 years old, and I needs a new one...... POOPY!!!!! Now if I can figure out how to get it out from under the seat.... I know 3 panels have to be removed, but I don't think the battery is laying on it's side on a 2011.... We shall see..... :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

I finally had time to get my Spyder out today!!! And the battery is dead..... It was on a trickle charger for the winter. 2 years old, and I needs a new one...... POOPY!!!!! Now if I can figure out how to get it out from under the seat.... I know 3 panels have to be removed, but I don't think the battery is laying on it's side on a 2011.... We shall see..... :thumbup:

It laid on its side from 2008 through 2012.

 

[vampyregirl]

It laid on its side from 2008 through 2012.

Thank you for the info, and I found that out earlier! :thumbup: Now it's nekkid on the left side until tomorrow afternoon when I can get to a battery place after work..... I had the exact same stock battery on my Honda Shadow. It only lasted 2 years as well. Not a fan of them....

 

[NancysToy]

Thank you for the info, and I found that out earlier! :thumbup: Now it's nekkid on the left side until tomorrow afternoon when I can get to a battery place after work..... I had the exact same stock battery on my Honda Shadow. It only lasted 2 years as well. Not a fan of them....

Nancy has had hers for over five years, with no issues. What kind of charger are you using?

 

[Spyder Monkey]

Sigh, I hope I am done with stupid for a while... I was in such a rush to get home in time to pick up my kid I managed to lose my Spyder key somewhere between my failed jump start attempt and bedtime last night.

After much searching and swearing I found it in the street out in front of my house. Apparently I dropped it when my coworker gave me a ride home.

Did you know your key can be run over in the street without damaging the radio chip inside? Neither did I until today.

New battery on order but the trickle charger got the spyder home tonight. Here's hoping I got all the stupid out for a while...


David

 

[Blue Star]

Sigh, I hope I am done with stupid for a while... I was in such a rush to get home in time to pick up my kid I managed to lose my Spyder key somewhere between my failed jump start attempt and bedtime last night.

After much searching and swearing I found it in the street out in front of my house. Apparently I dropped it when my coworker gave me a ride home.

Did you know your key can be run over in the street without damaging the radio chip inside? Neither did I until today.

New battery on order but the trickle charger got the spyder home tonight. Here's hoping I got all the stupid out for a while...


David

Don't feel bad, as once I got out of my car and the key came out of the holder. It was laying right next to the car on the ground. I won't talk about how I went to Polo Loco to have lunch with my wife, and left the key in the ignition. I do not have an IPS.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Sigh, I hope I am done with stupid for a while... I was in such a rush to get home in time to pick up my kid I managed to lose my Spyder key somewhere between my failed jump start attempt and bedtime last night.

After much searching and swearing I found it in the street out in front of my house. Apparently I dropped it when my coworker gave me a ride home.

Did you know your key can be run over in the street without damaging the radio chip inside? Neither did I until today.

New battery on order but the trickle charger got the spyder home tonight. Here's hoping I got all the stupid out for a while...


David

These things can happen to anybody, but I also hope your turn with them is finally over.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Let's get this "Bad Luck Streak" behind you! :shocked: :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: Let's get this "Bad Luck Streak" behind you! :shocked: :thumbup:

I second the motion. :thumbup::thumbup: