leaking/weeping battery 93 vt1100

[apbling]

Hello everyone,

I have a 93 vt1100 that I just got. Everything seems to be great with it, except for my battery. It continues to weep/leak acid. It appears from the swingarm that this is not a new occurance (corroded). However, it keeps doing it. The battery is from 2009 and I know was not taken in for the winter last year by the PO. Also, when I got there to get the bike, the battery didn't quite have the juice to turn the bike over, but since I've been using the bike, I've had no issues.

Here's the odd part. I can't find the **** leak. It's not coming out of the vent/overflow. it's not coming out of the acid fill holes (at least I can't tell). And even this morning after sitting all night, I can hear the battery bubbling...
So, my question, is the battery just on it's last leg and I need a new one, or is it possible my voltage regulator has crapped out and I'm overcharging the battery?

I'm at work right now (40 miles from home) and I can test the charging system, but I do not have my shop manual on me. Could someone give me a pointer on how to test the charging system? I have a multimeter in my hands.

Thanks!
Andy

[93gc40]

Start with getting a new battery. What kind of charger are you using and at what rate are you charging. Never charge a motorcycle battery at a rate higher than 2 amps. Hearing the bubbling is bad. Test you charging system!!!! 12v OFF, 13-15 volts with motor running.

[callmeal]

Use baking soda and water on the damaged area. Acid does more than remove paint, it embrittles the metal.

Buy a YTZ14S. It’s the same battery as the Honda ST1300. The AGM batteries usually show about 12.7 volts at rest. Charging voltage should not be more than 2 volts higher than the batteries resting voltage, so your bike’s voltage should not be more than 14.7 volts at about 3,000 rpm.

batterystuff.com advertises on hondashadow.net. Check out their ad for prices.

[apbling]

I personally use a trickle charger. I haven't used a charger, just the bike running has charged the battery.

Now, can I just put my multimeter accross the posts with the bike running to look for 13-14 volts? On my old bikes I actually was told to pull the lead coming off the regulator and test that... problem is I have no idea where that is on my new bike, and my manual is at home

[apbling]

Did some screwing aroung. Battery was at 13V with key on. While starting went to 9.5 or so and came back up. Revved the motor and got it to 13.5V. Not sure if I got to 3k RPM or not, didn't want to piss off my co-worker in his office

Anyway, it smelt like acid and instead of stranding myself I just went to the local honda shop on my break and got a new yuasa battery. Sure hope the battery was the problem...that thing wasn't cheap! Are these batteries considered top of the line?

[93gc40]

Originally Posted by apbling

Did some screwing aroung. Battery was at 13V with key on. While starting went to 9.5 or so and came back up. Revved the motor and got it to 13.5V. Not sure if I got to 3k RPM or not, didn't want to piss off my co-worker in his office

Anyway, it smelt like acid and instead of stranding myself I just went to the local honda shop on my break and got a new yuasa battery. Sure hope the battery was the problem...that thing wasn't cheap! Are these batteries considered top of the line?

Yuasa are top of the line, too bad you had to go to Honda shop, $$$$$. Your battery was leaking it needed to be replaced regardless. Hopefully you didn't get problematic T shaped battery HB16...... If you did as said in the thread you will have gotten a YTZ14S battery.

[callmeal]

Originally Posted by apbling

Are these batteries considered top of the line?

Which battery did you buy?
The Yuasa YTZ14S AGM battery is top of the line.
The Yuasa flooded cell T-battery is not.
Your bike had a flooded cell T-battery when it was new. If you bought a rectangle black battery, it is most likely an AGM. If you bought a T shaped white battery, it will not last as long and it could leak.
AGM batteries do not leak because the electrolyte is absorbed into glass mat separators.

[apbling]

SOB, I got the HYB16AAB.

Why are the T shaped ones so problematic? I've had acid filled square ones before and as long as I took them inside for the winter and didn't drain them by cranking and use jumper cables they lasted ok. The dealer didn't have a non-acid one. DK wants the same price for it, so I don't think I got nailed too hard... I hope.

Well, looks like I could have gotten the AGM battery for less than I paid for mine. I guess on the positive side I learned a lesson and I know I won't get stranded today on the way home. The one that came out was from fleet farm (kind of like a local Home Depot) and they want $50 for it... and I know they are POS's. There must have been a crack or somethign in it because the vent was dry as well as the fill holes.

[93gc40]

NEXT time you can get the AGM YTZ14 battery. It is a stronger battery in addition to being an AGM, they are less expensive. Also using the '14 battery gives you a great place to install relays and such for add-on lights and accessories. The HYB16a-ab is the stock battery, they just don't last very long and they leak and are prone to sulfication of the plates.

[apbling]

great...they leak. From where usually? Is this battery pretty much the same as any other acid battery, or is this particular one even worse?

I just charged mine all up and then hooked my multimeter up and took it for a spin. My neighbors would kill me if I revved it to 3k and held it there to see the voltage. Anyway, I rode around with it with multimeter in hand. Never got above 13.5 while riding around. Did get to 14.25 when I rolled up into the driveway and came to a stop. Thought this was weird...the only think I can think of is that the charging system wasn't being taxed by firing the coils when I came to a stop, so the battery voltage increased a bit?