I posted a few months ago about the dead battery:
"I know this is yet ANOTHER dead battery question, but this is more of me confirming that what I've read is correct and that the steps I plan on taking are what you guys would recommend.
So I ride my Rebel mostly on short trips, 5 miles max, but I do use it daily. I also ride with the high beams on all the time (good for safety, bad for battery).
I understand that the battery only charges at higher revs and really needs longer trips to keep it juiced. So when it didn't start this morning, I was frustrated, but alas, not surprised.
Now, the bike only has 1,300 miles on it. I really don't think I should have to buy a new battery (I suppose I could be wrong). The lights still turned on with the key in, high beam light, kickstand light, etc. So I'm assuming there's at least SOME juice still in it, enough to get it started, and enough that its not completely dead. I mean, I didn't leave the keys in it, so I hope its not completely dead lol.
Here are the steps I'm planning on taking:
1. Go get a battery tender. 1/2 amp to 2 amps is what I read.
2. Jump the battery I have now with a car. Am I correct in that I can use my normal jumper cables, and all I have to do is connect them to the Rebel and my car and turn the car on, NOT start it, and it should jump? (If anyone has more detail about this procedure, or a link, that would be AWESOME)
3. Once the battery is jumped, I'll take it around the block, rev it high, and bring it home and plug it in overnight to the tender."
This worked...at the time. Now, I find that I'm having to tend it at least once a week or it literally won't start. Is this normal? Draining the Rebel's battery about once a week?
Some stats:
I ride about 40-50 miles a week or so, but the majority of that is 2 miles or less trips (to work, friend's house, etc).
I try to rev it higher to hopefully charge the battery while I ride...I don't think I'm doing much.
Anyway, if you guys tell me this is normal for someone who does such short trips as mine...so be it, I'll be more diligent about tending it. If not, I suppose I'll get a new battery.
If I need a new battery, how much should one cost and is it an pretty easy do-it-yourself instillation? Thanks for the info.
"I know this is yet ANOTHER dead battery question, but this is more of me confirming that what I've read is correct and that the steps I plan on taking are what you guys would recommend.
So I ride my Rebel mostly on short trips, 5 miles max, but I do use it daily. I also ride with the high beams on all the time (good for safety, bad for battery).
I understand that the battery only charges at higher revs and really needs longer trips to keep it juiced. So when it didn't start this morning, I was frustrated, but alas, not surprised.
Now, the bike only has 1,300 miles on it. I really don't think I should have to buy a new battery (I suppose I could be wrong). The lights still turned on with the key in, high beam light, kickstand light, etc. So I'm assuming there's at least SOME juice still in it, enough to get it started, and enough that its not completely dead. I mean, I didn't leave the keys in it, so I hope its not completely dead lol.
Here are the steps I'm planning on taking:
1. Go get a battery tender. 1/2 amp to 2 amps is what I read.
2. Jump the battery I have now with a car. Am I correct in that I can use my normal jumper cables, and all I have to do is connect them to the Rebel and my car and turn the car on, NOT start it, and it should jump? (If anyone has more detail about this procedure, or a link, that would be AWESOME)
3. Once the battery is jumped, I'll take it around the block, rev it high, and bring it home and plug it in overnight to the tender."
This worked...at the time. Now, I find that I'm having to tend it at least once a week or it literally won't start. Is this normal? Draining the Rebel's battery about once a week?
Some stats:
I ride about 40-50 miles a week or so, but the majority of that is 2 miles or less trips (to work, friend's house, etc).
I try to rev it higher to hopefully charge the battery while I ride...I don't think I'm doing much.
Anyway, if you guys tell me this is normal for someone who does such short trips as mine...so be it, I'll be more diligent about tending it. If not, I suppose I'll get a new battery.
If I need a new battery, how much should one cost and is it an pretty easy do-it-yourself instillation? Thanks for the info.
