Is My Battery dead!

[teejay]

I have not used my K1200LT since it was serviced last June? Changed jobs and I don't seem to get the time. I noticed that the clock was very faint and so I connected my Optimate charger. It came on with the green light and the yellow light showing. Although I did not leave it on until the battery was completely charged the clock stayed on for several weeks until I noticed it had died again. On connecting my Optimate again the green light came on but not the yellow one. This light shows that the unit is checking the battery. I checked the output by putting a new 12v bulb across the terminals but it didn't light up. I bought a new Optimate, thinking that the old one was kaput, but on connecting it the same problem arose. No yellow light. My neighbour, who is an auto electrician, checked the output with a voltmeter but could not get a reading? If my battery is dead will this affect the Optimate. Thanks guys.

[messenger13]

I can't tell you if your Optimate is dead or not, or if the battery is doing it any harm. I do know that most trickle type chargers are more for maintaining a battery, and usually can't bring one back to life. I recommend that you connect a 2-Amp charger up to the battery for a full 12 hours and check it then. A few short bursts (15-30 mins) at 10-Amps doesn't hurt either.

[Nebish]

I have the same charger.

If your battery has sulfated, i.e., deeply discharged with a build-up of sulphur crystals on the plates, the Optimate has the ability to potentially recover the battery. But, because the output voltage of the charger could potentially damage sensitive electronic circuity on your bike, the charger will sense if the battery is installed in the bike, or otherwise. The high voltage recovery process will only proceed if the battery is not connected to the electrical circuit of the the vehicle.

Pull the battery and let the Optimate work its potential magic.

[teejay]

Thanks guys, you were absolutely right. I took the battery off the bike and it showed that it was desulphated. However, the Optimate tells me that the battery is dead. Thanks again.
Teejay