1 Parasitic Battery Drain Fri Dec 23, 2016 8:42 am
hker
active member
Dear K100 forum,
I am new here so be kind. I will try and be clear about my K75 issue but I am no mechanic.
Problem:
Gel BMW battery. Battery is losing its charge. Bike starts fine when battery is full or has regular trickle charge (CTEK). I have a CTEK comfort adapter with indicator lights. The battery will stay "green" for about 24 hours and then go to red. Basically the battery indicator tells me that the battery needs recharging every 48 hours (whether or not I have ridden it). If I don't recharge it the battery will die.
Context:
I ride approx. 12 miles per day (6 mile commute). Bike stored in garage. Naked 1991 K75 with BMW heated grips (working). Well serviced. 40k miles on odometer.
Other issues that may be related:
The ABS works when the bike has good charge but the ABS warning lights flash. ABS stops working when the battery is low.
History of problem:
Its the second new gel battery I had put in in a few months. Same issues each time. I first was convinced that it was the battery itself and returned it to the manufacturer who replaced it. The same thing is happening on the next battery which has led me to believe that there is a parasitic drain OR I have had two bad batteries...)
How I have tried to fix it:
1) By replacing the battery - problem persists
2) By buying a CTEK charger which indicates that there is no fault with the current battery but it is being drained rather fast - problem persists
3) By making sure all the switches are OFF (e.g ABS, heated grips, engine kill, lights etc) when I leave it overnight - problem persists
4) Taking it to a qualified BMW garage. They were confident it was the battery and advised me to send the battery back to the manufacturer (which I did but problem persists with new battery). They said that my bike did not drain their test battery. - problem persists
5) I bought a multi-meter and tried to check the voltage with different fuses in and out. Apparently I have no idea how to use a multi-meter and I blew mine up about 10 minutes after buying it. - I am an idiot.
Hypothesis 1
The flashing ABS light is draining the battery. I know how to reset the ABS light (voodoo) but I have taken the battery out so many times I cant be bothered to reset it anymore.
If I disconnect the ABS the battery will stop draining.
Hypothesis 2
There is a exposed wire sometimes that is draining the battery. Its an old bike and one of the wires is bound to be worn somewhere.
If I learn to use a multi-meter I will detect a drain on one of the circuits.
Hypothesis 3
I have very bad luck and the 2nd battery was also a dud. The next battery I buy will also be a dud. Every battery I buy ever will be a dud.
Grateful for any suggestions/tips or locals who can show me how to use a multimeter (ideally where I can learn and not spend loads of money.)
Happy Christmas!!!
Henry
I am new here so be kind. I will try and be clear about my K75 issue but I am no mechanic.
Problem:
Gel BMW battery. Battery is losing its charge. Bike starts fine when battery is full or has regular trickle charge (CTEK). I have a CTEK comfort adapter with indicator lights. The battery will stay "green" for about 24 hours and then go to red. Basically the battery indicator tells me that the battery needs recharging every 48 hours (whether or not I have ridden it). If I don't recharge it the battery will die.
Context:
I ride approx. 12 miles per day (6 mile commute). Bike stored in garage. Naked 1991 K75 with BMW heated grips (working). Well serviced. 40k miles on odometer.
Other issues that may be related:
The ABS works when the bike has good charge but the ABS warning lights flash. ABS stops working when the battery is low.
History of problem:
Its the second new gel battery I had put in in a few months. Same issues each time. I first was convinced that it was the battery itself and returned it to the manufacturer who replaced it. The same thing is happening on the next battery which has led me to believe that there is a parasitic drain OR I have had two bad batteries...)
How I have tried to fix it:
1) By replacing the battery - problem persists
2) By buying a CTEK charger which indicates that there is no fault with the current battery but it is being drained rather fast - problem persists
3) By making sure all the switches are OFF (e.g ABS, heated grips, engine kill, lights etc) when I leave it overnight - problem persists
4) Taking it to a qualified BMW garage. They were confident it was the battery and advised me to send the battery back to the manufacturer (which I did but problem persists with new battery). They said that my bike did not drain their test battery. - problem persists
5) I bought a multi-meter and tried to check the voltage with different fuses in and out. Apparently I have no idea how to use a multi-meter and I blew mine up about 10 minutes after buying it. - I am an idiot.
Hypothesis 1
The flashing ABS light is draining the battery. I know how to reset the ABS light (voodoo) but I have taken the battery out so many times I cant be bothered to reset it anymore.
If I disconnect the ABS the battery will stop draining.
Hypothesis 2
There is a exposed wire sometimes that is draining the battery. Its an old bike and one of the wires is bound to be worn somewhere.
If I learn to use a multi-meter I will detect a drain on one of the circuits.
Hypothesis 3
I have very bad luck and the 2nd battery was also a dud. The next battery I buy will also be a dud. Every battery I buy ever will be a dud.
Grateful for any suggestions/tips or locals who can show me how to use a multimeter (ideally where I can learn and not spend loads of money.)
Happy Christmas!!!
Henry