Huge error - I need help.

blunlimited · 04-09-2006, 01:47 PM

I am an idiot.
My battery needed a quick charge up for the spring launch. I gave it to one of the mechanics at work to put it on the charger in the machine shop. He charged it for me and I took it home. I installed it in the bike.

Nothing. No power. No lights.

OK. I think it isn't charged. I get my multimeter out and check it. Red to +, black to -.

It reads -12.8 volts.... minus twelve point eight volts!!!!

If I put the multimeter backwards on the battery, red to - and black to + it reads +12.8 volts. I check the multimeter on other batteries in the garage and it is functioning correctly.

It had been charged backwards! So, I have bought a new battery (checked it and got +12.6 volts on multumeter) and installed it.

Nothing. No power. No lights.

What damage was done by having the 'backwards' battery in there? I have checked the fuses that are in the fuse holder in front of the battery and they are all OK.

Is there another fuse somewhere that I have missed that may have blown? I am lost and looking for some help.

Any ideas?

**Black_peter** · 04-09-2006, 02:19 PM

OK first off you cant "charge" a battery backwards.

A battery creates electron flow based on the
metals used to make up the plates and the
acid they are submerged in.
The polarity is based on the plates reaction to the acid.
It is in the design.. Chargeing a battery
basiclly reverses the process using the charger
power to create a reaction returning the electrons back into the fluid (recharging the acid.)

You can test this by measureing the pH of the
fluid in the dead battery, then charging it.
(the pH will change)

Anyway, installing the battery probibly poped either a fusable link (big fuse) or a circuit breaker.
I havent dived to far into the Kat electrics to tell you for sure.

Now what happened to your old battery?
Beats me.. you may have fused a bunch of cells
that caused a "reverse" of the voltage but
there may not have been much juice there.
Just enough to pop the breaker?
Actually I'm shocked that if the battery charger was
hooked up backwards is did'nt blow up.
It will wreck the battery for sure..

blunlimited · 04-09-2006, 04:32 PM

Thank you for the info. I am not a battery technology expert by any means! All I know is that the battery was reading -12.8 volts when tested normally, and reading +12.8 volts when reversed on my multimeter.

Can someone point me to any other fuses/links/breakers that I should check. I have never been beneath any of the covers of this bike since I bought it and don't have any manuals to help out.

**ZukiFred** · 04-09-2006, 04:39 PM

There is a fuse on the left side under the fairing right near the tank. Did you check that one?

blunlimited · 04-09-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZukiFred

There is a fuse on the left side under the fairing right near the tank. Did you check that one?

Heading out right now to look...

blunlimited · 04-09-2006, 05:31 PM

That was it - the main 30 amp fuse under the left fairing was blown. The spare was there and everything is operating normally now.

Thank you for the quick help!!

04-09-2006, 01:47 PM	#1
blunlimited Skid Mark Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7 iTrader: (0) My Garage	Huge error - I need help. I am an idiot. My battery needed a quick charge up for the spring launch. I gave it to one of the mechanics at work to put it on the charger in the machine shop. He charged it for me and I took it home. I installed it in the bike. Nothing. No power. No lights. OK. I think it isn't charged. I get my multimeter out and check it. Red to +, black to -. It reads -12.8 volts.... minus twelve point eight volts!!!! If I put the multimeter backwards on the battery, red to - and black to + it reads +12.8 volts. I check the multimeter on other batteries in the garage and it is functioning correctly. It had been charged backwards! So, I have bought a new battery (checked it and got +12.6 volts on multumeter) and installed it. Nothing. No power. No lights. What damage was done by having the 'backwards' battery in there? I have checked the fuses that are in the fuse holder in front of the battery and they are all OK. Is there another fuse somewhere that I have missed that may have blown? I am lost and looking for some help. Any ideas?

04-09-2006, 02:19 PM	#2
Black_peter --Zombie-- Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: 55116 Posts: 19,547 iTrader: (0) My Garage eBay ID: caferacer1964	OK first off you cant "charge" a battery backwards. A battery creates electron flow based on the metals used to make up the plates and the acid they are submerged in. The polarity is based on the plates reaction to the acid. It is in the design.. Chargeing a battery basiclly reverses the process using the charger power to create a reaction returning the electrons back into the fluid (recharging the acid.) You can test this by measureing the pH of the fluid in the dead battery, then charging it. (the pH will change) Anyway, installing the battery probibly poped either a fusable link (big fuse) or a circuit breaker. I havent dived to far into the Kat electrics to tell you for sure. Now what happened to your old battery? Beats me.. you may have fused a bunch of cells that caused a "reverse" of the voltage but there may not have been much juice there. Just enough to pop the breaker? Actually I'm shocked that if the battery charger was hooked up backwards is did'nt blow up. It will wreck the battery for sure.. __________________ Welcome to KatRiders.com! Click here to register Help Support Katriders.com via Motorcyclegear.com

04-09-2006, 04:39 PM	#4
ZukiFred Put a stick in it. Supporting Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gray Court, South Carolina Posts: 1,420 iTrader: (0) My Garage October 05 KOTM Blackjack 4 Champion! Solitare Champion! Mine Sweeper Champion! BlackJack Champion!	There is a fuse on the left side under the fairing right near the tank. Did you check that one? __________________ You can't fix stupid with a stick. Help Support Katriders.com via Motorcyclegear.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Schoolboy error	Frenchcropper	Mechanics 101	6	09-14-2007 07:32 AM
huge oil leak	DreKat	Mechanics 101	8	07-20-2005 03:18 PM

04-09-2006, 04:32 PM	#3
blunlimited Skid Mark Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7 iTrader: (0) My Garage	Thank you for the info. I am not a battery technology expert by any means! All I know is that the battery was reading -12.8 volts when tested normally, and reading +12.8 volts when reversed on my multimeter. Can someone point me to any other fuses/links/breakers that I should check. I have never been beneath any of the covers of this bike since I bought it and don't have any manuals to help out.

04-09-2006, 05:31 PM	#6
blunlimited Skid Mark Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7 iTrader: (0) My Garage	That was it - the main 30 amp fuse under the left fairing was blown. The spare was there and everything is operating normally now. Thank you for the quick help!!