6 volt battery

[melvyndalby]

My Rocket Gold Star replica has been unused over the winter so I charged the battery which reached 6 volts (I checked it with my meter).When I fitted it to the bike it would not start.I checked the battery and it only showed 1 volt whe n the ignition was switch on,and no volts when switched off.The bike has been converted to coil ignition.If I connect my meter across the battery terminals surley it should show 6 volts on the bike or off it?

Mel

[iansoady]

Sounds like the battery's knackered. A fully charged 6v battery should show around 6.3 - 6.4 volts (and even more when just taken off the charger).

I use those little sealed units that come off burglar alarms and have had excellent results from them. But then again I have a magneto....

[bsa-bill]

I had the same thing on my Flash, two batteries in succession failed after the first charge then the charger went also ( I had tried the batteries on another charger before the charger went)
so duff batteries and/or duff charger?, one of the batteries was a Lucas fibre mat type that had stayed fully charged for a couple of years before I used it - is old Joe still having a laugh?

[KiwiGF]

BSA bill/Melvyn

Yr duff batteries were not calcium type were they? I've heard they need a special charger to bring them back to life properly if they get discharged

As calcium batteries seem to becoming the standard It looks like we all might have to buy new chargers.....

[bsa-bill]

Don't think so KiwiGF, nothing on them to say they were any different other than the Lucas glass mat

[melvyndalby]

To all the bikers who replied.Looks like Ineed a new battery.The one on the bike is an 18 amp hr.Should I get one with a lesser charge rate.
Mel

[Triton Thrasher]

There is no advantage in fitting a battery of less amp hour capacity.

[BSA_54A10]

Get a 6V Cyclon pack.
Cyclon sell individual 2V cells in a big variety of capacities.
Paul Groff sells a standard 3 cell pack which will fit into your battery box.
Cyclons are pressure valve regulated, spiral wound lead tin batteries that will go for up to 3 years without self discharging.
Failing that get a Pressure Valve Regulated, Absorbent Glass Matt, sealed 6V battery.
Similar story, totally maintaince free, can be fitted at any angle including upside down, capable of being charged at 10A or higher without damage and capable of massive discharge currents.
Avoid gel cells as a direct short or very high discharge or charge rate will stuff the battery.
Also avoid any battery with open cells they will be designed for modern sewing machines and fall apart the first time you go for a ride.