Battery questions

awfulshot · Post by **awfulshot** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:42 am

Recently, my buddy has been unable to start without me kick starting it.

I was messing around with the voltmeter to see what was up, and I'm not sure if I need to buy a new battery or possibly just a battery tender

when the voltage is measured while off its about 12 volts.
when I try to do the electric start it half turns over, goes silent, and drops down to 2 volts.
after I kick start, it goes up to about 13, and if I rev it goes up a tiny bit.

Will a battery tender fix the battery or do I need a new one?

Leeroy Jenkins · Post by **Leeroy Jenkins** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:08 pm

advanced auto parts will test/charge batts for free.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:10 am

It sounds like you have a bad battery. The static voltage (engine not running) of the battery should be between 12.5 and 13.5 volts. Since you say that the voltage goes up to 13+ volts once the engine is running, the charging circuit is probably OK. How old is the battery?

awfulshot · Post by **awfulshot** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:50 am

I just bought the buddy in October, sadly there is a '30 day warranty' on the battery..

It doesn't look like there is any advanced auto parts in the western US, so do you think there is a similar place I could have them test?

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:55 am

awfulshot wrote:I just bought the buddy in October, sadly there is a '30 day warranty' on the battery.. :(

It doesn't look like there is any advanced auto parts in the western US, so do you think there is a similar place I could have them test?

I think most auto parts superstore chains will do it, Pep Boys, Murray's, Autozone, NTB, Sears Auto, etc.

I *know* Autozone does, I've had them test my car battery a few times.

It shouldn't go bad that quickly, are you sure you charged it properly?

Bb.