K11 Owners Group

kamu · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: 93 K1100RS battery....Deceased

My battery died. Went to start it Friday and was barely turning over. It's been heading that way for a week or two. Let go of the starter button and it was still trying so I turned off the key and hit the kill switch. Went back out in the garage a little later and smelled a little sulpher. Felt the battery and it was hot so I yanked it as fast as I could. Was a BMW OEM DIN 52515 from Jan2006. I'm guessing the plates shorted. Anyway, anyone know where I could buy a no maintenance gel cell battery to replace it or should I just stick with a liquid acid battery. Would appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Phil Marvin · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject:

Hi, Kamu,
You're not going to like my comments, but you need to know the situation and how to fix it. You didn't necessarily short the battery plates. You tried to start your bike with a weak battery. The starter relay welded its points. As soon as you install a new battery and hook up the cables, the starter will begin turning the engine over. You won't be able to stop it until the battery wears down or you disconnect the cables.

Lift the fuel tank and remove the cover to the relay box. At the right rear (I think!) of the box is the starter relay. You might break the points loose by hitting the relay with a screwdriver handle or something like that. Some have removed the relay, taken it apart, separated the points and then filed the points. Others do nothing after getting the points to break loose by hitting the relay, other than making sure they have a screwdriver quickly available so they can do it again if (when) necessary. Others bite the bullet and replace the relay. Drake (Flying Duck) may have a used one available for sale. Good Luck!
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Jim · Last edited by Jim on Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:08 am; edited 1 time in total

kamu · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:12 pm Post subject:

I'm im Hawaii....so mainland US is my best bet if I order a battery. I tried around here with no luck so I'll have to have one shipped in anyway. I would think 4 years is about the nornal battery life. (comment) I'll have a chance to dig into the relay while I'm waiting. Thanks for the heads up Phil.

Sonu · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:36 pm Post subject:

kamu · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:41 am Post subject:

Will do Sonu...I think I've updated it properly. Thanks!
_________________
93 K1100RS-25,000 miles and counting...

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:09 am Post subject:

Odyssey PC680. They laugh at batteries that only last four years.

Probably not a big issue for you though. It's not like you can get stranded a long way from home. Very Happy

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

kamu · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:57 am Post subject:

Thanks FD I'll check out the Odyssey. Any recommendations for a GPS? Smile

_________________
93 K1100RS-25,000 miles and counting...

kamu · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:00 am Post subject:

FD...Found the battery, looks like the terminals where the cables bolt up are a little different...Maybe that's not an issue. The photo may be just a generic photo too. Did you run into that? Just was curious before I order one. Thanks.
_________________
93 K1100RS-25,000 miles and counting...

Ernie-NH · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:09 am Post subject:

Hey Kamu....

Ditto on the Duck's recommendation : Odessy PC680

A bit pricey ( appx $150 USD ) but Ive had mine in my R100, and another in a 1500 cruiser for 8 years now and still going strong, if you keep them on the Tender when not in use !

best regards......// Ernie-NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

ljjohns · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:09 am Post subject:

It is a small issue: just put one in my K75 and had to fabricate two connectors; some folks do provide them for $15.

But I'd also consider the Westco AGM, which seems to get a lot of praise from K12 folks and is a bit cheaper ($106 shipped from Beemerboneyard to El Paso).
_________________
1993 K1100LT (Washington)
1995 K1100LTSE
1996 K1100LTSE (parts)
2003 K1200LTC
1991 K75RT

Jim · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:22 am Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:40 am Post subject:

I've used Odysseys in my K75RT, K1100, K1100RS and the K75 I'm building and have never had terminal issues.

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Sonu · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:00 pm Post subject:

Ernie-NH · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:11 pm Post subject:

Hi again Kamu....

Here is one site you might try... they carry/ship all brands including the Westco..

<< http://ebatteriestogo.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=EBTG&Product_Code=40696 >>

Good luck......// Ernie- NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

Jim · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 2:47 pm Post subject:

Since the Odyssey PC680 is not a bike specific battery - it's used in many UPS systems and other devices, it might be pretty easy to find one on the islands somewhere.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

kamu · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks folks....Appreciate you all taking the time to respond. I'll be ordering and Odessey or a Westco today. Now to check out that starter relay. I'm glad I can get a sealed battery. Just like not having to check the fluid. One less thing to remember of in my case forget... Laughing

_________________
93 K1100RS-25,000 miles and counting...

ljjohns · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 5:56 pm Post subject:

For whatever it's worth, I'm a fan of AGM batteries. I purchased the Westco AGM to replace the OEM AGM battery in my K12; that was the original battery, installed when the bike was delivered in 2003, and the bike now has 61 K on it.
_________________
1993 K1100LT (Washington)
1995 K1100LTSE
1996 K1100LTSE (parts)
2003 K1200LTC
1991 K75RT

kamu · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 3:47 am Post subject:

Just wanted to close this thread out. I finally got a battery and replaced it. Seems there were two sizes for the 93 K1100RS. Mine was the larger one and I found one for here on the island. Shipping batteries across the pond is restrictive for FED EX and UPS. Phil you were right about the stuck relay. I hooked up the new battery and the starter started turning. I took your advice and just lifted up the back of the tank and took the cover off the the electronics box and saw the relay. I gave it a couple of taps and that solved the problem. It's been good since. Appreciate the advice. Thank you all for your help. Hope I can contribute some help to someone along the way.
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93 K1100RS-25,000 miles and counting...