[Grandy]

My new battery went dead today, just replaced in August. Dealer said it was completely shot and replaced it warranty.

When I re-installed after charging, touching the terminal I drew a small arc on the terminal. retouched again and no spark much like a capacitor charging. Waited a while and touched with a spark and retried again and no spark. Not a dead short but my question is

does the clock and some other electronics cause this small arc or should I be looking for a faulty componet???

thanks in advance

 

[BladeRunner]

spark?

Yes, the clock is always drawing a small amount of energy to maintain the memory. But, if the spark is large..something else is staying on..maybe a sticking relay. I'm no expert by any measure, someone who knows more will be along I'm sure.

 

[trike lady]

The clock and radio memory draw a little to hold the information. A small spark may be present.
A large spark like mentioned above would indicate a stuck relay, an accessory or added lights or something that would be live when the battery is connected.
I know in the service manual it lists the draw from the negative battery cable to the negative battery post with a meter in line and key off. If there is excess draw then something is active.

 

[Grandy]

Has anyone seen the spark at first, then touch again with no spark and then let sit a couple of minutes, touch it again with a spark? Like I said it seems just like a capacitor charging and dis-charging..??

Many thanks for the inputs

 

[Terryj]

There is a capacitor located on the rear of the alternator that is hot all the time, it is a filter capacitor for the electronics. If you have a CB installed there is also another filter capacitor mounted on the side of the alternator that is hot all the time. I don't recall seeing any sparking when I reconnect my battery, but then again, the spark may be so little I didn't notice it.

 

[2003 GL1800 POLICE]

Not unusual on any vehicle as the computer, radio,welcome all have memories. A small spark is normal but any digital meter should have an amp setting. Put the leads in line between the neg post and the cable. should be very small draw. If over 1 amp something is wrong!

 

[Grandy]

Thanks for all the input. Ive been on the road with it without incident, (except a flat tire), I am beginning to wonder if one of the grand kids left a trunk light on. At least that is my story..

 

[Cantankerous]

The arc was probably the typical one. You probably just got a bum battery initially.

 

[budoka]

That's why it's so important to use a battery tender regularly. Espicially one with a 'refresh' mode. Not that it doesn't mean that you can't get a bummer batery right off the shelf (it does happen) but it will give much extended service life on a good battery.

 

[Two Wheel Wing]

+1 for the battery tender. Best investment for a Wing..