RantMachine Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) Me again! Although it's for the other GS sat in the driveway this time, not mine Crystal bought a new battery for hers in anticipation of us getting it up and running for when she does her UK licence. However, after her somewhat crappy CBT experience the schedule has slipped somewhat. I'm trying to do the bike up as a surprise, but I've encountered a problem very very early on In short, we filled the battery ready to stick it in the bike and then it sat on a shelf for a few weeks. I've gone to stick it on the maintenance charger while she's away, but it looks like we overfilled it a little - there's about 10mm between the minimum and maximum level markers, and it's 5mm above the max marker. Nowt went wrong with the initial charge, but I know better than to ignore the markings and charge it then shove it in the bike.So what to do about it? As it was a new battery rather than topping up an old one, I'm guessing that I don't have to worry about the acid being too diluted, so it should just be a case of taking some out? And if this is the cases, how best to do it? I've got some spare large syringes that I didn't end up needing when I did my forks a couple of months ago, will they work or will they melt? And how to properly dispose of the acid that comes out? I was going to just feed it to the neighbour's cat before sticking it in the tumble drier, but I hear that sort of thing is frowned upon... Edited August 18, 2015 by RantMachine Quote
Mr Fro Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Try giving the battery a few taps (don't be too gentle) - it could well be gas bubbles stuck on the plates. Failing that, nipping it out with a syringe would be fine and rinse it down the sink with a good bit of water. Let me know if you need some syringes that definitely won't melt and I'll fetch them along on Tuesday. Quote
Chrissb6 Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Hi, if your new battery came with a new length of overflow pipe connect this to your syringe and draw out the excess fluid until the correct level is reached. Rather than tip the excess fluid down the drain why not empty it into the old battery which l assume your going to dispose of correctly Quote
RantMachine Posted August 15, 2015 Author Posted August 15, 2015 Great suggestions all round, particularly sticking the acid into the old battery! I would say "dunno why I didn't think of that" but I'd be giving myself too much credit Fingers crossed my syringe won't melt, but will let you know if it needs replacing... Quote
RantMachine Posted August 15, 2015 Author Posted August 15, 2015 And yes, I fully intend to dispose of the old one responsibly - will bring it to Halfords with me when I go to get the oil filter, I checked on their website and they drain & recycle them. Quote
Chrissb6 Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Great suggestions all round, particularly sticking the acid into the old battery! I would say "dunno why I didn't think of that" but I'd be giving myself too much credit Fingers crossed my syringe won't melt, but will let you know if it needs replacing...Syringe will be fine mate, marigolds might be in order to protect your pinkies, and by the way go to the loo before you start safety first. Quote
Stu Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 and by the way go to the loo before you start safety first. best tip so far this applies to eating chilly crisps too!!! Quote
onesea Posted August 15, 2015 Posted August 15, 2015 Battery acid is not that harmful. Not good for eyes on skin it gently dissolves finger prints (some professions find this useful I am told).Eats clothes so wear old stuff as one drop a couple of washes later creates a nice hole . Quote
RantMachine Posted August 15, 2015 Author Posted August 15, 2015 All useful stuff, cheers everyone Quote
RantMachine Posted August 16, 2015 Author Posted August 16, 2015 All done, cheers again.And god dammit, Chris! Thanks to that comment, all I could think about the whole time I was doing it was needing a piss I went a bit before I started and haven't drunk much today, too... Must be like the whole thing with getting an itchy nose as soon as you get oil on your hands Quote
dave_d Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 My local Euro car parts gave me a few quid for an old battery. I guess from them recycling the metals. Worth dropping off there if you have one local or are planning on visiting in the future. Only £3... but better than nowt!http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/free-ca ... ts-2002345 Quote
Glorian Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 I was gonna advise some petrol as a solution...Followed by a healthy dose of matches Quote
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