[stevebutt16]

Thinking I may have a potential bad battery on my hands, but looking for input on other items to check.

last week I had issues starting my bike (wouldn't idle without holding slight throttle) ended up using a battery charger for 30 minutes and I was up and running.

everything was good for a week or so.

last night was out riding and after 40 minutes or so stopped for a break. when I got back on had trouble starting etc. managed to limp home and stalled as soon as I got in the driveway. the whole way home battery voltage was dropping down to 11v. even sometimes 9v. it did manage to climb to 13v a few times. I could not get it to start again to get it into the garage and ended up rolling it in. at the point even turning the key just resulted in the dash flickering and clicking a few times (presumable battery had gone completely toast).

To my knowledge these bikes don't have altenators so they actually don't charge the battery moreso just maintain what charge is there and maybe boost it a little but nothing close to how a car or truck works in that regard (correct me if I am wrong).

I brought my battery to two autoparts stores to have it load tested today and they said it was good. I know they didn't load test it they just told me current volt output and CCC. I know that will all show up good today because I charged it last night. may be a few days before I can get to a proper battery shop to have it truly load tested. in the meantime is there anything else I can look at on the bike in the event the battery checks out ok? I only have 500miles on my machine and the battery always seemed ok. it was never lid up without starting for more than 4 or 5 days at any given time.

is this common behavior for a battery that just isn't up to the job anymore? I know it will start fine tonight as I charged the battery but that doesn't necessarily mean its a good battery. any advice?

[doug80638]

"(correct me if I am wrong)."

You stand corrected 

There is a charging system, and there is a regulator for that system. 

Your battery being  low is most likely because it isn't getting charged.

What is the voltage with the machine running?

If the voltage while running is jumping back and forth from 13v to 11v then I would suspect a bad connection someplace.

Worse would be a failing regulator which would take a bit of electrical troubleshooting.

[stevebutt16]

"(correct me if I am wrong)."

You stand corrected 

There is a charging system, and there is a regulator for that system. 

Your battery being  low is most likely because it isn't getting charged.

What is the voltage with the machine running?

If the voltage while running is jumping back and forth from 13v to 11v then I would suspect a bad connection someplace.

Worse would be a failing regulator which would take a bit of electrical troubleshooting.

Thanks. can you provide any more info on that so I can start looking while im waiting to speak to a dealer. I wont be doing too much troubleshooting as its under warranty but ill save a trip to the dealer when possible. I thought a stator only maintained charge moreso than charge a battery like an alternator?

any tips on troubleshooting voltage regulator? I have a meter just not sure what to look for there or how to find it.

[doug80638]

You should download the service manual. It has all the information on the charging system.

The older manuals are available in the forum. I'm sure the charging system is the same between the C and Z.

Chapter 15 in particular in the Z manual.

[stevebutt16]

Thanks man ill do that. Just took the battery out and the sides are fairly bulged. Took it to a battery shop and they did a load test ... reluctantly due to the swelling. Battery is cooked. Warranty is going to replace it for me. This common for a stock battery? I had the atv for 6 months..prob sat on the dealers floor for a year...

[doug80638]

The two auto shops didn't pick up on the bulged sides?

I wonder why it passed their test, and it failed at the battery shop.

Overcharging can cause the buildup of gases that can cause the bulging, so check the voltage on the running system after you install the new battery. Should be more than 12V and less than 15V (13.8V-14.4V nominal).

[stevebutt16]

Because the autoshops had two yahoos working who didnt know wtf they were doing. They slapped a volt meter on it and called it a good battery.

Ill definetly put my own meter on it right away when i install the new one and monitor as needed. Regulator seems like an easy enough swap as well if need be.

[NL800]

i have a 2014 with 4000 klms on it with the original battery with no issues.

[stevebutt16]

yeah all this turned out to be not so much a battery issue after all (battery is bulged and will be replaced under warranty) but my 30amp main was making poor connection, it actually made such a poor connection that the resistance melted the fuse holder (fuse wasn't even blown). replaced fuse holder and all is well. I guess a bike in that price range with elka suspension etc...they had to cheap out somewhere...the fuse holders lol

[NMKawierider]

yeah all this turned out to be not so much a battery issue after all (battery is bulged and will be replaced under warranty) but my 30amp main was making poor connection, it actually made such a poor connection that the resistance melted the fuse holder (fuse wasn't even blown). replaced fuse holder and all is well. I guess a bike in that price range with elka suspension etc...they had to cheap out somewhere...the fuse holders lol

Common problem with CFM.

[Playtime]

has Anyone do the second Battery hook up yet found the hole kit for 300. Is it easy to do thinking of plowing with my trail 800 this winter

[Rudeboy]

Had the battery on my Cforce 500 go out pretty early on although I think its more due to the fact that I work away from home a lot and the bike is left sitting for many times 4 + weeks at a time without being started, when my battery guy came to the house the first thing he said was "cheap battery no good" lol (I live in Thailand), anyway it was changed out for a better battery and is now kept on a battery tender when I'm away from home for extended periods of time, had no problems since,

I would highly recommend investing in a decent battery tender for anyone that doesn't run there ATV or SxS for extended periods, especially if you live in a cold climate.

[stevebutt16]

Had the battery on my Cforce 500 go out pretty early on although I think its more due to the fact that I work away from home a lot and the bike is left sitting for many times 4 + weeks at a time without being started, when my battery guy came to the house the first thing he said was "cheap battery no good" lol (I live in Thailand), anyway it was changed out for a better battery and is now kept on a battery tender when I'm away from home for extended periods of time, had no problems since,

I would highly recommend investing in a decent battery tender for anyone that doesn't run there ATV or SxS for extended periods, especially if you live in a cold climate.

x2 on the tender recommendation. I use my atv 4 times a week or more so I can get by without the tender certainly for now haha I do have one though for when the need arises.