Mille battery question

[messie]

I'm a bit of a thicky when it comes to mechanical things, specially when it's electrical. So I thought I'd ask the collective wisdom of EB.

My RSVR has a tendency to drain the battery when stood still for any length of time. I've disconected the alarm but it's still a problem if I leave it for more than a week.

Now I could get a new battery but I'd rather not if I can help it. I can't leave it connected to an Optimate or similar because there's no electricity at that end of the garden.

However I've been told that Maplins are doing a solar powered trickle feed for 12 V batteries for cars and boats.

Could I use this on the bike? I think it's a 12v because I've jumped it from the car before. What are the opinions from those more knowledgable than me?

[Lateshift]

RSVR's are prone to being a bit nawty when it cames to draining the standard rated battery Sal, most people change to the uprated one (YTX-14BS) which has a higher cranking power.

If the battery drops to a certain level then you get the inevitable click click and its not going no where, the uprated battery has a higher cranking power rating and turns the engine much easier, allowing it to start first time rather than draining the battery ;)

Obviously alarms over a period of time can drain the battery but even with a Meta and more recently a Datatool i have never had to use a trickle charger or conditioner on any of them.

As far as the solar powered one goes, if its got the right charge rate or is capable of battery conditioning then it should be fine, its not new technology, its just that people find them a bit hit and miss and tend to go with what they know (i.e. if i plug it into the wall its bound to work :D ).

[messie]

Thanks for that.

I found the alarm drained the battery overnight. happened on several occasions. Maybe the battery was just knackered!

BTW I'm getting it back to pristine. Got indicator, brake pedal fixed, new brake lever on the way. Just got to decide what to do about the scatches on the decals. Take em off or wait for a guy in America to be able to replace them

[Lateshift]

If you use the voltage indicator when you first turn the key and register how much voltage the battery is holding prior to starting her, you should get an idea of how the battery is coping, ideally it needs to be around at least 12.4-12.9 volts before firing her up.

If it gets to around 11.89volts then its not going to start (or will really struggle).

Once its running if the bike is charging properly then it should be at around 13.8-14.5v at around 3000-3500rpm

Chances are the battery is on its last legs or the alarm is drawing too much for it to drain over night :)

As i said you tend to find the uprated battery works a whole load better :)