Battery draining

bap · Post by **bap** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:35 am

My 85 spree goes through batteries much faster than expected. If it isn't driven for more than two days, the battery has to be recharged to engage starter. Battery isn't completely dead as there's always enough power to light the tail light but not enough to start the engine. I've tried tracing the wiring harness for any obvious shorts but can't find any problem. Thanks.

Farfignugin · Post by **Farfignugin** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:53 am

Check the electrolite levels in the battery (they arn't sealed, that's what those red caps are on the battery). Usually low electrolite will cause this to happen (mine did this as well, but it was mostly because I overcharged the battery causing it to boil off). If the electrolite is low, fill CAREFULLY with distilled water (you can get it at a supermarket or somewhere that sells water) DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN DISTILLED WATER.

If it's not that, then check your charging cercuit. Otherwise I wouldn't know what to do.

Gamemedic · Post by **Gamemedic** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:58 am

I have the same issue. I have checked everything and put an amp meter on it to look for a draw. Nothing!!!

darat · Post by **darat** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:29 am

well y dont you see if your putting any amps out to the batt from the spree.

twsnagel · Post by **twsnagel** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:00 pm

Shouldn't you fill it up with battery acid?

Farfignugin · Post by **Farfignugin** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:27 pm

If the battery is completely empty or close to, then yes you would fill it with acid. Otherwise if it's just below the metal plates, just fill it w/ distilled water.

Gamemedic · Post by **Gamemedic** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:44 am

Yes the spree is charging, Im getting good voltage to the batt. It charges well, when the batt is dead I can kick start it, drive it for a while and then it has enough juice for the elect. start. The batt is new and holds a charge for weeks if I take it out of the scoot. When I leave it in its dead in 2 days.

Farfignugin · Post by **Farfignugin** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:44 pm

then you got a short somewhere that doesn't disengage when you turn off your scoot.

Gamemedic · Post by **Gamemedic** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:20 am

But then I would have a draw showing up on my meter. With the key off It shows 0.0012 Amps. the .oo12 is normal batt discharge.

mopedman · Post by **mopedman** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:43 am

or you could just put a kick start on it and be done with the problem.

vonchuk · Post by **vonchuk** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:40 pm

To test for battery drain it is best to use a volt meter as there may
not be enough amperage to register on an amp meter. Place the
volt meter between the positive battery post and the positive cable.
If there is any reading you have a drain. A source of drain on old
cars and bikes is dirt on switches. Add a little moisture in the air
and electricity can flow through the dirt around an open switch.
This can also happen at light sockets. Dirt on top of a battery can
also drain a battery as moisture in the air allows electicity to flow
though the dirt from post to post. New batteries should be clean
and not the problem here. Chuck

Gamemedic · Post by **Gamemedic** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:17 pm

If I put the meter on volts, would'nt that just complete the circut and not give me a reading? An Amp meter between the pos. post and pos. cable measures the flow of electrons. But I will give it a try, cant hurt.

Also I do have a kick start, its an 87' but I want it to work 100%.

Post by **noiseguy** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:32 am

It only completes the circuit if there's a closed circuit there.

If the bike's off, it should be an open circuit.

You're right though. Voltmeter will only tell you if there's a leak. Ammeter will tell you how much is leaking...

Gamemedic · Post by **Gamemedic** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:55 pm

noiseguy was right....I put the meter between the -bat and the -cable had 14.23vdc on the meter. Pulled the connector to the regulater, down to .12vdc. So I installed a different regulater, it is still at .12vdc. So im charging the batt. now, will drive tommarrow. Will keep posted. NOW my wifes spree has a locked up clutch I think, this is an '86 with 327 orig. miles on it. It ran great until late last season, it started to jitter at take off and now when I try to kick it, the kick will lock up. If I roll it 1 foot it will let me kick it a few more times, any thoughts before I tear into a virgin scoot?

Post by **noiseguy** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:10 pm

Tear away, only way to fix it is to open it up. Now if you wanted to paint it camo, I might try to talk you out of it...