Roketa Bali 250: Battery not charging.

[scooterg]

Hi Everyone,

I just found out that my battery in my Roketa 250 Bali isn't being charged by the charging system on the bike. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, could you offer me some advice on what I should check.
I've had the bike for about 2 month, I only have 175 miles on it, so I guess if its been running off the battery all that time. I love riding the bike,,,it's got alot of get up and go for a 250, and I'm getting around 80 mpg. This problem is really the only problem I have had. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,,,,,,Gary

[WarrenS]

How do you know its not charging? I doubt that you could go 2 months without it charging. I think the battery is dead if it is the original. The originals aren't very good. Get a new battery.

[scooterollie]

Can you tell us if or what you have done in the way of recharging the original battery? You should have a charger suited to small batteries. WalMart sells a Black & Decker model for about $18 that has three ends - one to bolt onto the battery, one with clamps, and one with a special plug on it that allows you to plug in the charger when needed. The charger has switchable 1 or 2 amp output and is the "Float" type, meaning it cuts off when the battery is fully charged. If left turned on, it will periodically come on to sense the level of charge in the battery. The float type chargers will not damage a battery by over charging.

That said, the O.E. Chinese batteries - if it is a "no name" - are of poor quality. If your scoot has a Yuasha brand battery, as some come with, it is a decent battery. Even the brand name companies produce different levels of quality. If you have only put 175 miles (kilometers?) on your scooter in 2 months, it has been standing for long periods of time. The cheap batteries will discharge very rapidly on standing, perhaps in as little as a week or two. In addition, the scoot engines don't put out a very strong charge when running. So, if you only drive it a few miles at a time and let it stand for days on end, the battery will discharge to the point where it won't start the scoot. When batteries are not kept properly charged, they will "sulphate", meaning they loose their ability to accept and keep a proper charge. They may read 12 volts when tested but the charge is very "shallow".

If the above is true in your case, you should have a type of battery called an "AGM" battery, as well as a float charger installed on your scoot. Check out this website for information on AGM batteries and prices: www.ebatteriestogo.com/Motorcycle-Batteries.htm

Just like anything else, a quality battery is more expensive but less frustrating! Hope this helps.

[Gary]

While some of us have had charging system problems, the others are right that most likely your problem is the battery. Had your charging system not been working and assuming you weren't recharging every night, then the battery would have run out in just a few days.

One way to tell for sure is to start the scoot then disconnect the battery. If it keeps running the charging system is OK.

Yuasa is a good brand. Poke around yuasabatteries.com and you'll find a table that gives the sizes and ratings for all of their batteries so you can match the one you have in your scoot.

[scooterg]

Thanks everyone for the reply and advice. I'll check the battery and charging system again. I did fully charge the battery when I recieved it, and have charged it at least one more time, when I had accidently left the key in the on position. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Again, Thanks.

[A J]

gary505 said:

One way to tell for sure is to start the scoot then disconnect the battery. If it keeps running the charging system is OK.

Gary,
Your statement may be true in most cases, but you should be aware that many scooters use a separate winding from the magneto stator to drive the CDI (Ignition) unit. It's theoretically possible for that winding to be functional and the other windings, which do the charging of the battery, Etc., not functioning. Also, the stator may be functioning OK, but the regulator, which is part of the charging system, may have problems that preclude charging the battery.
A J