Battery Died

[sjcpanther]

Got a 2012 RT. Had it exactly 1 year now. Yesterday it was fine. Today, it wouldn't turn over. Jump started it and it cranked. Shut it off a few times, and it continued to crank.

Should I be concerned that the battery needs to be replaced?

Or, should I get a battery tester and check the status?

Or, would it benefit me to put it on a battery charger?

Just trying to weigh my options as I will be leaving town in a few days on the Spyder and did not want any trouble on the road.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'd try a charger on thw lowest possible charge setting...
Then I'd invest in a Battery Maintainer. :thumbup:
A battery maintainer normally won't put enough "juice" into a dead battery; that's why you should throw it on the charger first.
Give it a try; Good luck! :2thumbs:

 

[cuznjohn]

i keep my bike hooked up to a battery tender all winter and i have never had a problem with any of my bikes, but with this one who knows

 

[sjcpanther]

So a battery maintainer is the same as a battery tender, correct?

I never thought that I would need one, as I am always cranking it at least every few days.

 

[cuznjohn]

think

i am not a mechanic but i would think if you crank it over every few day is basically taking power from the battery but not recharging it enough by not riding the bike to re charge it, so during the winter i never start my bike because it never gets hot enough to not cause moisture in the oil and it really doesn't charge the battery, i just put the bike away and keep the tender hooked up for the winter

 

[rick_w]

So a battery maintainer is the same as a battery tender, correct?

I never thought that I would need one, as I am always cranking it at least every few days.

Put a battery tender on it for periods that it will not be ridden.
Just starting it and letting it idle for a few minutes is not charging the battery back up to what it was before you started it. You will eventually run the battery down enough where it is just below where it will turn the engine over.
Get the battery back up, put a tender on it and just keep an eye on it. You should be OK for a couple more years.

 

[NancysToy]

So a battery maintainer is the same as a battery tender, correct?

I never thought that I would need one, as I am always cranking it at least every few days.

Cranking it every few days is one of the worst things you can do. The engine needs to run at 4000 rpm for a significant period of time just to recharge the battery from what cranking the engine takes out of it. In addition, the oil never gets hot enough to boil off any condensed moisture, so the moisture just gets depoosited on the internal engine parts. The transmission and clutch are never used, so those parts don't get adequately relubricated or the upper surfaces covered in oil. If you are going to start the engine, ride the Spyder at road speeds for at least 15 minutes. Otherwise put it on a battery tender and leave it alone...especially in unheated storage.

 

[DrewNJ]

Cranking it every few days is one of the worst things you can do. The engine needs to run at 4000 rpm for a significant period of time just to recharge the battery from what cranking the engine takes out of it. In addition, the oil never gets hot enough to boil off any condensed moisture, so the moisture just gets depoosited on the internal engine parts. The transmission and clutch are never used, so those parts don't get adequately relubricated or the upper surfaces covered in oil. If you are going to start the engine, ride the Spyder at road speeds for at least 15 minutes. Otherwise put it on a battery tender and leave it alone...especially in unheated storage.

Agree 100%!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sjcpanther]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the feedback. I'm buying a battery tender today!

 

[Dragonfly]

2013 RT Staring problem

I have had the same issue with my 2013. Have been back to the dealer three times complaining about Spyder not starting even with the battery tender connected 100% of the time when not running. I have found though that if I put the bike in neutral before shutting off I have not had any starting problems since then. Mentioned that to the dealer and well you know

 

[Bob Ledford]

I agree with Scotty with some additional feedback. Take the battery out of the machine. Check the water levels. Fill as necessary. Get it load tested. If it pass's put it back in or replace it. When you get back and put it back up use the battery tender.

 

[Bob Denman]

So a battery maintainer is the same as a battery tender, correct?

That is correct... :thumbup:

I used the phrase "battery maintainer" only because "Battery Tender", is also a brand name for the ones sold by Deltran...
...and i didn't want to play favorites!

 

[Deanna777]

i keep my bike hooked up to a battery tender all winter and i have never had a problem with any of my bikes, but with this one who knows

I also have a 2012 RTS-SE5 and i keep mine on a battery tender( Deltran Battery Tender Junior 12Volt 750 MA 5 year warranty i bought this @ the Can-Am Dealer in Vermont) all winter also, while the spyder is in Winter Storage. I have not had any problems. Deanna777

 

[Highwayman2013]

Yes charge the battery, load test it, clean the terminals and use a maintainer.

 

[Deanna777]

Battery Question

How often should a battery be" replaced" if you have a 2012RTS-SE 5?

Deanna777

 

[Pennyrick]

How often should a battery be" replaced" if you have a 2012RTS-SE 5?

Deanna777

I think it may depend on usage and/or how many times it gets discharged and recharged.

I bought my 2012 RT in February 2012 and during the 20,000 mile service last week we checked the battery and found it was only putting out 11.85 volts after being on the trickle charger (maintainer) overnight. When we increased the engine speed to 4,000 rpm and held it there, the voltmeter still didn't move over 12. It should be running around 13 or slightly higher.

My tech told me that if a battery is taken out of stock, electrolyte put in it right away, and then put in service, the battery life will not be as long as if the electrolyte is left to soak in the plates overnight and then put into service. We did as he suggested and installed the battery the following day.

My wife's 2012 RT was bought in November, 2011 and the battery in it still checks out fine.

 

[Deanna777]

I think it may depend on usage and/or how many times it gets discharged and recharged.

I bought my 2012 RT in February 2012 and during the 20,000 mile service last week we checked the battery and found it was only putting out 11.85 volts after being on the trickle charger (maintainer) overnight. When we increased the engine speed to 4,000 rpm and held it there, the voltmeter still didn't move over 12. It should be running around 13 or slightly higher.

My tech told me that if a battery is taken out of stock, electrolyte put in it right away, and then put in service, the battery life will not be as long as if the electrolyte is left to soak in the plates overnight and then put into service. We did as he suggested and installed the battery the following day.

My wife's 2012 RT was bought in November, 2011 and the battery in it still checks out fine.

Sent PM. Deanna777

 

[bruiser]

Whenever it won't charge anymore. Some batteries last longer than others.

 

[Deanna777]

Whenever it won't charge anymore. Some batteries last longer than others.

Which batteries last longer? Is their a brand of Battery that lasts longer then others?

Deanna777

 

[NancysToy]

Whenever it won't charge anymore. Some batteries last longer than others.

:agree: I'll add when it won't start the Spyder anymore despite being fully charged. Batteries fail in several ways...failure to take a charge, failure to hold a charge, or failure to provide enough voltage/amerage under load. When they crap out or threaten to do so soon, replace them...but check the connections first for cleanliness and tightness. Depending on the charging cycles, storage conditions, how the battery was prepared initially, and the climate they can last anywhere from a year to ten. They are far from predictable.