M50 Dead battery - options

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Percyboy:R.I.P MJ !

New member
Hello,
After three weeks past my last ride, my battery went dead. I removed the battery and it doesnt read absolutely any voltage.
The batt says distributed by American Suzuki COrp so im guessing that batt is the OEM and is probably dead because its life time is over.

What are my options:

Can i recharge it?
Kragen said most places wont have a trickle charger, i could buy one from kragen and try recharging it myself.

Will it work if recharged, cos it doesn't read any voltage at all its probably dead.

In the worst case, i will get a new battery (options where i can buy them?)

but i plan to leave it disconn for another 30 days, cos its winter. DO i have to follow any precautions or is there a problem leaving the batt out?

Thanks
anand
 
most trickle charges are more for maintaining a charge. Just watch what you buy. I use to have one battery charger that was electronically controlled and it would not charge a battery if it didn't have a certain amount of voltage. Likewise, if it isn't showing any voltage it may be at the end of it's life cycle. Cold weather is hard on batteries
 
Extreme cold is hard on batteries. A healthy battery in the "cold" where he is would be very happy though. Heat is actually harder on batteries than a little cold. Most folks in California don't know what real cold IS.....unless they go up into the mountains to ski !! :mrgreen:

You probably should have a small charger, just on general principles but when a battery reads 0 volts it is done for; get a new one.
 
I can go to walmart and get the batt, i was wondering what kind of batt i need. Are they universal for bikes?
I have a 2006 Suzuki M50.

Thx

Anand
 
yes they are.

You only need to know the configuration of the terminals.

all things being equal, I would look around for a(n) AGM battery.

Yes, the Adsorbed glass matt battery is more expensive, but they last a very long time.

Mine will be 8 years old in June.
 
I had a similar problem and bought a trickle charger here locally for 40 bucks. It's got an automatic cycle that moves to maintenance charge once the battery is full, so it only keeps the battery at a full charge rather than overcharging it.
It's an ATV/marine/motorcycle charger that does 6 and 12 volt batteries.
 
Mmmmm.....not really. In addition to having different terminal configurations, there are at least a half dozen different overall physical sizes. You need to match that too; too small, not enough capacity; too large, won't fit.

Get the "model" number off the existing battery or consult your owner's manual. :bluethum:
 
I'm still using my stock 2002 battery here in Minnesota. Don't go wasting money and adding trash to the world for no reason. Add a small charger to your garage and go riding.
 
That IS all you need.

They should have a cross reference if they don't have that exact type.
They may also have a reference book by year and model of bike.

All the battery makers use a standard numbering system.
 
Battery sat for only 3 weeks. Now it reads ZERO volts. Do you really think a charger is going to do any good ??
Maybe but I think the odds are extremely small.
 
The key was off, what could have been left on? The engine cut of switch, even in on wouldn't cause a problem would it?

I connected to a multimeter and then when i switched it on it said check the cables. Im guessing the circuit wasnt even complete.

This is a stock battery, from 2006.

I live in an apartment, hence i cannot add a charger.

Anand
 
Whatever you do, make sure you buy a sealed battery. There's no good reason to mess around with electrolyte anymore, and I don't think vented batteries last nearly as long.
 
Won't know til you try it.
Unless it froze stiff, no volts or not, it should take a charge.
I'd think it'd be cheaper to try and charge or boost before buying a new battery
 
If you are talking about taking just the battery in to be tested, yes, that is a good plan. No need to take the whole bike.

I would recommend, however, taking it to a battery shop....like Interstate for instance or Farm and Fleet or even Sears. Many bike shops don't know squat about batteries.

P.S. When using a multi-meter, one usually turns it ON and sets the range BEFORE touching the leads to the device being measured.

As for the 0 volts being unusual.......batteries do sometimes go OPEN internally; not common but it does happen.

And for what could have discharged it: Turning the key too far and having the parking light ON.......or a pinched wire......or, in some systems, shorted diodes in the alternator/regulator.
 
Thanks all for the tips. i dropped off the batt alone at the bike store today. I enquired in kragen and they said its not possible for them to do it as they reqd a trickle charger. I didnt know where else to go, so i took it to a ducati dealer.

he also sells Honda, kawasaki etc. Anyway, he said he will run it over night and have it ready for me in the morning. About the parking light... i hope i did not leave it on. Its unlikely but i will never know.
I do know how to use a multimeter, so im sure its not that.

Ill keep you guys posted, i hope i dont have to shell out another 70$ in this horrible economy. My car is also in need of a timing belt and water pump change!

Thx
AR
 
Picked up the battery today, it is officially dead and beyond help. Time to buy a new one, ill wait a month for the weather to improve and then buy one.

Any particular brand i should look out for? Yuasa seems expensive by 50%. Also, how does one connect the trickle charger given that the batt is under the seat?
Thanks
 
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