My battery and the weekend ride

My friend and I decided to ride up to the N.Ga. mountains Sunday.

Two days earlier I had connected my tomtom GPS to the left glove compartment socket (I did Not turn it on, just connected it to the power source).

On Saturday afternoon, I went for a short ride around the neighborhood and my bike cranked right up.

On Sunday morning of my mountain ride, I was to meet my friend at a restaurant for breakfast. I got on the bike, turned the key on (dim lights on dash) and it would not start......so I open the seat, use jumper cables attached to my car, start the bike and am soon on my way.
Arriving at the restaurant (5 min. away) I parked and went inside to meet my friend.
When we were ready to leave, my bike would not start. I had my jumper cable but my friend's bike's battery was difficult to access so someone offered to "jump me off" with his car.
I connected to the car with my cables, raised my sidestand and the bike started right up with it leaning against me. I then realized I could not put the side stand down or it would stop the bike. So I did just that, and then put the bike on the center stand and re started it, undid the cables , put the seat down, and away I went. It started each time I stopped for fuel, food, etc. no problem after that.
My difficulty in accessing the battery with the seat up meant I could not start the bike with jumper cables attached to the battery while straddling the bike as it will not start with the sidestand down....so I saw one of those jumper devices that plugs into a cigarette lighter socket and then into a similar socket in the vehicle needing a start, and I thought I could use the socket in the left hand glove compartment and that is what I am going to do. That way I can sit on the bike with the stand up and connect to a remote power source.
This would seem easier than having to remove the battery cover, raise the seat, and connect in that way.
I notice Walmart sells this type jumber cable for under $20, and I think I will get one, but I thought someone here may have tried this and have some input on such a device. Thanks much....billc.

Sorry, I had to move this post. You posted it in our Pictorials section.

This is also a nice but not inexpensive product:
https://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=5
ChargeGuard display is a digital multi-meter with 4 modes of display: a voltmeter, ammeter, ambient temperature and ICE ALERT warning. There are a number of voltmeter device displays, but few display both volts and amps.
With the ChargeX onboard charger, I can leave the connection outside the seat, with the seat down and charge at home.

Note that one reason you may have had a problem is the seat may not have been closed all the way, which means the inside light stays on even though you don't see it, and that drains your battery. There is also a replacement fixture available for the inside light that has a built in switch which will solve that problem.

Dan

Dan , Thanks for your thoughts on that...I have already installled the "switchable" trunk light....a while back thanks to your input.

I do not know why the GPS would run the battery down when in the OFF position but still attached to the live outlet in the glove box....but maybe someone can answer...billc.

Hi Bill,

Because, even when your GPS is turned off, it still will draw current to charge if it's pluged into a power source.

Dennis, That is exactly what I thought was happening, I just didn't realize it was that MUCH current to discharge the battery. Do you suppose my 2+ year old battery may be needing replacing and would that solve the problem. My gps in the car never runs that batter down at night...billc.

Your car has a bigger battery.

I can't see the Swing battery being discharged by charging the puny little battery in a GPS, especially if the GPS is turned off while charging.

Well bigbird, What do think the problem is. Go ahead take a guess!

DennisB wrote:

Well bigbird, What do think the problem is. Go ahead take a guess!

With his Swing being 2k miles from me I have no idea how he has wired his switch for the trunk or his power point. Using logic, I would measure what kind of parasitic draw is on his battery. By pulling fuses one at a time, it would be easy to narrow down which circuit is the culprit. If none show any more than 1.5 mA parasitic draw, I would conclude he has either a faulty battery or charging system. By checking the alternator's voltage output to the battery with the engine at 4k rpm, I would then see if it's the charging system.

That's the best I can do remotely Dennis.

Hi Bill, Since the battery on you scooter is 2 years old and you have your GPS plugged into your bikes 12volt system, I would advise you to unplug your GPS at night and here in the near future, take your scooter back to the Honda dealer and have them install a relay. You see it is not just your GPS that's drawing voltage from your battery over night. It's your scooters clock and a few other voltage eating systems that will drain a 2 year old battery. Your scooters battery charging system is probably in good shape. I would get a new battery and have the relay installed when you get a chance.

Battery 2 years old plus, sounds sus.

BTW those "jumper leads" for the power outlets only pass charge from one battery to another over a period of about 20 minutes.
YOU CANNOT START the motor with it like conventional jump leads or you will cook something.
I have a set and have used them once to plug into my AUX socket under the rear panel and the battery charger to charge the battery overnight without having to disconnect or leave the seat up.

I'm with Dennis... get a new battery

No sir,
Not to soon.

First to do...detection of the problem.

Tips.

Measure the leak current.
Measure the Voltage of the system when running.
Observe battery voltage, 2 houers and further after no use.
Let check battery condition under load.
(special meter ...dealer )

Thanks for all the good information guys....I will have the dealer check for power drainage, perhaps install the relay, and then a new battery if needed.
I have never noticed any other problems, i.e. headlight dimming at night, or any other electrical issues with my bike....
billc.

I don't know if all TomTom GPS units have the same power cord set-up, but the one I have has a pilot light on the plug end that stays lit whenever it is plugged in. If your's is the same, that's probably what drained your battery.

That pilot light is an LED. It draws less current than the Swings electronics do when you turn the Swing off. I don't think that's your culprit.

"That pilot light is an LED. It draws less current than the Swings electronics do when you turn the Swing off. I don't think that's your culprit."

Maybe not, but I had the same problem on my bike after I installed the gps. Unplugging the TomTom's cord solved the problem.

My SW draws a current = 1 mA, when ignition key is off.

A normal LED takes 10 ...20 mA , i think.

So the best way is unplug the convertor out of the power outlet, when it's not needed.


Eddy.