NC30 battery question

[aka0019]

My battery hasn't been starting very well recently and the other day it completely died. Since then I have tried charging it but still nothing. Would you say I need a new one or is there somethign I can check etc? Or should I take it along to a garage to run a test on it? Also, it says on the battery that it is standard but on it there is a strip what you lift up that has holes in. Should water be put in these or do they come on all batteries?

Thanks
Andrew

[hardnutdvd]

to check your battery you need a multimeter.. (if you own an NC30, you need one of these anyway!)
you should be getting around 12.8v when you test it without the engine running
with the bike started the voltage should be around the 13.8v rising to about 14.8v with some revs..

The strip across the top of the battery where the holes are is indeed where you top it up with DISTILLED water. but i thought most units where sealed nowadays and once the strip has been put in. it shouldn't be removed again..
an electronic multimeter is available from maplins for around £6. use youtube for tutorials on how to use it..
the following guide is helpful when checking the charging system.
http://www.electrexworld.co.uk/pdfs/Tro ... G-&-RR.pdf

[aka0019]

Thanks for that! Off to Maplins I go!

[hardnutdvd]

i got this one and it works fine..
http://www.maplin.co.uk/domestic-multim ... 9&t=module

[Neosophist]

Yep!

sounds like your battery has had it if it won't charge up again.

The NC30 has a very fragile charging system so it's wise to give this a good checking over after getting a new battery.

The reason I say this is when the NC30 charging system dies it will either.

1. stop charging your battery so it'll run flat (usually it can just be re-charged again)

2. over-charge the battery and kill it!

So get a new battery.. follow the break in procedure.. (this is usually fill it with acid and give it a full 20 hour or whatever it says charge with a proper bike trickel charger (optimate etc) this will make the battery last twice longer than if you dont do this, it's important.

Then check your voltage with the bike running.

At 5000rpm you should have 14.4 circa volts at the battery.. anything higher turn it off right away or you'll kill the battery... - Charging system fault.

Anything lower.. ie 12.x - charging system fault again.. not likely to kill the battery but needs fixing as the battery isn't charging.

14.4v - Hurrah.. nothing wrong just old dead battery.

[aka0019]

Thanks again for your replies. I got the battery tested and it's dead!

So...does anyone know a good place to buy a half decent nc30 battery?

[Neosophist]

Thanks again for your replies. I got the battery tested and it's dead!

So...does anyone know a good place to buy a half decent nc30 battery?

You need to determine whats killed the battery.

It could be just old-age.

It could be a problem with your charging system.

Get an optimate smart battery charger and keep it topped up if you don't use the bike regularly... batteries don't like being left to discharge

Gavin at Jap4 (member on here) used to sell decent batteries.. i'd give him or Rick-O a shout!

Make sure you fully test your charging system when you get the new battery.. if it's over-charging you'll kill a new battery in a couple of minutes

[aka0019]

The battery that was used previously was a sealed one that didn't require and topping up, should it not have been?

Is it an easy job checking the charging system or would it costy much at a garage?

Sorry for all the questions!

[hardnutdvd]

read the link i posted at the beginnin gof this thread... it is fairly simple..
in other words, if i can do it, most numpty's can! :)

[aka0019]

I've got an update...

I bought a new varta battery off Rick on here. I've fitted it and done a couple of journeys since. Last night I tested the voltage. The results were as follows:

Battery on it's own 12.98
Idle 12.9
5000rpm with lights 14.3
5000rpm no lights 12.9

I then took the fairing off to check the regulator and the right hand yellow wire has completely burnt and snapped. Am I right in saying that this is more than likely an alternator problem? Is it worth doing any other checks? I know there is a lot of info on this but I want to make sure I get it right.

Thanks
Andrew