Subject: Re: weird!!
Author: Patrick Hayes
Date: Jul 15, 2001, 10:45 PM
Post ID: 1707506420
First, yes, the generator systems are much more tolerant of a marginal
battery than the alternator systems. With the generator, you only need enough
juice to get started and then the generator does everything else while you
drive. With an alternator, output is directly related to voltage input. You
have to energize or bootstrap the system. If the battery is poor, it might
start the bike, but never allow the alternator to come up to capacity.
The old tractor batteries breathe through their caps. Those are corrosive
fumes which get at all sorts of connections, especially frame grounds.
Motorcycle batteries have a venting tube to disperse the fumes elsewhere, but
it is not a great improvement. Westco and Odyssey are sealed batteries and
don't release fumes.
If it starts fine cold, but cranks slowly when hot you may have one or more
of several other problems. Perhaps the timing is too advanced and you're
trying to crank agains the explosions of the engine. Perhaps the bearings or
bushings in the starter are shot and it has to work harder when hot. Food
for thought.
Patrick