It is the battery - Quick advice please!!!

[TresCrows]

The BX dynamo is probably marginal. Your infrequent use in the winter coupled with the heavy load placed on the battery when starting in the cold has probably kept your battery in a state of semi charge for some time. I doubt that it will fully recover but if you continue to use the trickle charger you will probably get through the winter and maybe all the way to next winter.
I have never gotten more than 3 or 4 years from a battery but that is because I have an adversion to being left sitting in a cold parking lot or having 30,000 dollars worth of tractors that won't start when I need them and that is after all why I bought them so I figure a good battery is cheap--not expensive. That is just me though, I am different. J

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

If you would like to read the pro's and con's on battery chemistry: flooded cell, Gel cell and aborbed gas mat click here.West Advisor Also many interesting topics (primarily boat related)

 

[r0GuE]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I doubt that it will fully recover )</font>

The trickle charger I use requires the removal of the terminal nut and then the loop at the end of the charger lead goes over the bolt. It is a pain in the butt compared to allegator clips. I have to run an extention cord from my house to the shed and then I have to leave my shed door open overnight. I was in a frugal mood and was weilling to work for it, BUT, that is a one time shot for me. If it doesn't work again I am going to get a new battery for sure.

 

[Egon]

The battery could move to house and get charged inside where its warm and will take lots more charge.

Egon

 

[cpicton1]

If you are sure that the battery is the problem then break down and buy a new battery. If you need to use a charger everytime to get it started, buy the new battery. Put an end to your aggravation and replace the battery. Even a cheap one is better than what you have now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[r0GuE]

/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Well it didn't start again... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I removed the battery and went to the local battery place and bought their "house brand" which he said was made by Exide. It is a bigun! Much wider than the original unit. It has 800CCA and 90 Reserve Capacity. The manual calls for 535CCA and 80RC. It started then and I ran it and cleared some snow. I hope to have no more problems for another 3 years. I did the vasoline trick and I also bought a tool that wire brushes the posts and the clamps! Never finish a job without a new tool in the box! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

BTW - The new battery is the kind you can look down the holes and see water. This is the first one I've had that you can do that on. It has 6 or 8 holes, I forget. How full should they be? Also the pos clamp, I could'nt get the whole way down around the post. Probably 1/8 to 1/16" above fully inserted. It is mostly on theough... I'm not too concerned. What an ordeal. I should have just bought the battery. $60 got me a big battery with a 3 year warrantee. And I got it at the local "battery house" (local small bussiness) so I know I can go to them for assistance if it dies early.

 

[Inspector507]

Rogue,
Good buy.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The ones with the removable caps MAY lose some fluid now and again. Just make it a part of your maintenance checks.
Maybe you could have spread the clamp a little more to get it down further, but if it was me and I was within 1/8" of it fully seated.......I'd have done the same thing.

 

[RalphVa]

There are usually some rings or partial rings below where the cell water caps screw in (or pop off from). Only fill up to the rings/partial rings. Always use distilled water.

You're lucky that bigger battery fit. On my Gravely, it's very limited where it sits. Can't take any bigger nor any higher battery. That's why I has so much trouble finding one.

Ralph

 

[Egon]

Sometimes you can spread the clamp so it will fit over the post. The clamps are usually of lead and a pliers and screwdriver will usually work. You may also have to scrape a little off the inside of the clamp with a knife.

Just as a word of caution; don't try and pound the clamp on or you may damage battery internals.

Happy startin.

Egon