Re: Tired Starter?

Posted by sgtslag on May 04, 2011; 9:28pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Tired-Starter-tp2828220p2900980.html

Chances are very good that your battery's plates are sulphated, which means its life is short.  You have a couple of options:  buy some anti-sulphating additive for your battery (chemical that removes sulphation from the plates); buy an anti-sulphating trickle charger (do NOT buy a car model, 10-amp, anti-sulphating charger!...); or wait for it to die (hopefully not in a dire situation/bad location...), and then replace it.  I cannot say which is the best option, other than the replacement choice.

Anti-sulphating trickle chargers are relatively new.  They send high frequency pulses into the battery, which electro-chemically remove the sulphate deposits on the plates.  They supposedly do the job, but they cost more than a typical smart trickle charger.  No experience with the chemical additives, but they should cost much less than a new battery.

If/when you decide to replace the battery, check into AGM batteries:  maintenance free; sealed; reported to last 5+ years; resistant to vibration; can be left in the bike over the Winter, with virtually no internal losses -- won't discharge unless the bike drains it with a clock, or a computer of some sort.  The AGM's cost more, but they pay for themselves over the long haul.  Cheers!