Battery dripping

621 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Slimpickins, Jun 18, 2009

Slimpickins

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2009

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Went to jump on the bike last night to go for a short cruise and noticed some clear fluid on the ground under the three vent lines dropping out below the bike on the right hand side. Upon inspection I found that the dripping vent hose led to the vent on the battery.

I pulled the battery and found that the two center cells were a little low so I topped them up. I checked the voltage on the battery (which I should have done prior to topping it up) and found it at 12.6 volts. I installed it again and checked the charge voltage which was about 13.2 volts at an idle and about 13. 9 volts at about 2000 rpm.

I checked the floor again this morning and found nothing. I stopped by a honda mechanic shop today and discussed it with the mechanic and he said the battery was probably getting a little old & weak and not to worry about itbut tonight when I got home again I found the vent line had been dripping again.

I pulled the battery again & took it toa local auto electric shop where they tested it and said it was in poor shape and might be sulphating which would cause it to drip. so I bought a new battery took it home and charged it right up. Checked it with the volt meter and found it to be sitting at 13 volts. After installing it I checked it while running and found it to be charging at a hair over 14 volts.

I would think if it was over charging and boiling the battery that it would drip shortly after parking the bike which is not the case.

The former owner had health issues and the bike has been sitting pretty much since 2005 and only ridden by his son once in the summer for about three years. I'm thinking the battery was probably never pulled or charged during storage

Thoughts on this any one?

Happy Trails

Slim

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exavid

· #2 · Jun 18, 2009

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If you find some cells low in a battery generally it does mean there's a problem with the cell. It could be a crack that allows a leak, sulphating causes crud on the bottom of the cell which can conduct current, that can cause the cell to overheat and boil off fluid. It may take a while for the condensing electrolyte to show up dripping out of the vent tube, when the bike is hot from use the air in the cell and tube can hold more water vapor than it can when it cools so it might take a bit of time for the vent to drip.

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Broke Winger

· #3 · Jun 18, 2009

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exavid wrote:

If you find some cells low in a battery generally it does mean there's a problem with the cell. It could be a crack that allows a leak, sulphating causes crud on the bottom of the cell which can conduct current, that can cause the cell to overheat and boil off fluid. It may take a while for the condensing electrolyte to show up dripping out of the vent tube, when the bike is hot from use the air in the cell and tube can hold more water vapor than it can when it cools so it might take a bit of time for the vent to drip.

Is there any question you can't answer Paul?

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Mohawk

· #4 · Jun 18, 2009

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I too was impressed Paul. Grin

I knew about sulfating but never thought that the crud would conduct enough current to heat up the cells, but it is logical.

Thanks for the heads up.

Mohawk

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jpooch00

· #5 · Jun 18, 2009

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You might consider installing a new gell cell battery. They're great, never leak and last almost forever.

Ride safe,

John

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Slimpickins

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 18, 2009

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exavid wrote:

If you find some cells low in a battery generally it does mean there's a problem with the cell. It could be a crack that allows a leak, sulphating causes crud on the bottom of the cell which can conduct current, that can cause the cell to overheat and boil off fluid. It may take a while for the condensing electrolyte to show up dripping out of the vent tube, when the bike is hot from use the air in the cell and tube can hold more water vapor than it can when it cools so it might take a bit of time for the vent to drip.

Thanks Paul that makes sense. It deffinatly had me wondering. I've never came across any thing like that before.

John mentioned the gel cell. I actually considered that as well but at twice the price of a regular battery it soon changed my mind. I did however do a little homework on them before making my decision and found that gel cells have a couple issues of their own.

Happy Trails

Slim

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