Help a stranded Platypus

Platypus is stuck with a broken vehicle, and doesn't have access to
the phone number for Carol Nash's breakdown service. Can someone
please post it here (or text it to me if they have my number) ASAP,
please.

 

Many thanks. I'd actually intended to post this to ukrm, so I'm
impressed with the quick response here.

I've just spoken to the monotreme, and recovery is on its way,
apparently.

 

I should have had it in my jacket pocket, and in at least one of the phones,
but like the battery, I seem to have failed.

Jumpstart duly provided by what appeared to be an untidy clump of long black
hair in a pair of leather jeans.

 

now, that's pretty good stuff. Champ's post is timed here at 22:49 and
yours at 00:27. Just under 2 hours. Usenet at its best, innit.

 

Yep. I got the text from Champ at 2256, phoned them at 2257, got a text
from the recovery operator at 2307 predicting 55 minutes. By midnight,
Porco Rosso was doing a fast idle while I signed the chitty, and I was home
no more than 15 minutes later.

 

Thus spake Jim ([email protected]) unto the assembled multitudes:

AOL. The battery I reported a couple of weeks ago that I had shamefully
allowed to almost dry out, is - as predicted by the wise sages of this
group - showing signs of approaching death already: nearly failed to turn
the motor over in the Lidl car park last weekend. Time to get a new one, I
guess.

Are maintenance-free, sealed batteries available for bikes? It would be
nice to fit one and almost forget it (no change there, then ;-)

 

Yes - Westco & Hawker (both AGM) to name but two.

--
Krusty

'03 Tiger 955i
'02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
'79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)

 

writes

Yes.

Er, Odyssey from someone such as Tayna or Motobins

http://www.tayna.co.uk/catalog/295/0/Odyssey-Batteries-Odyssey-Drycell-
Batteries-page1.html

works a treat in my Laverda.

Even got it to start one March after the bike was put in shed in October
without having been taken off bike or even charged - that battery is
still going strong[1] after >5 years.

Bob

[1] although it's now in someone else's Laverda 750, don't ask.

 

I'm reserving judgement on Tayna for now. Got a battery for the
Corvette from them a couple of years ago (a Varta with a 5 year
guarantee), & it died completely last month. They had it collected just
over two weeks ago (which cost me 17 quid), & I've heard nothing since.
I emailed them this morning, but no reply yet.


--
Krusty

'03 Tiger 955i
'02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
'79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)

 

In that case, I'd say use motobins or Knights. I only mentioned Tayna
because that was what google found first

The first odyssey I bought came from knights (http://www.knightbatteries
..com/) & second from motobins. Both still working fine, both in
laverdas.

 

Yes.

 

Yes, but if you're only going 6 miles each way, they eventually need a few
more electrons poured into them.

 

Thus spake platypus () unto the assembled multitudes:

I'm sure my trusty Optimate will do what's necessary.

 

Thus spake Bob Scott () unto the assembled multitudes:

Thanks, I'll give 'em a look.

 

The problem with an Optimate and many modern chargers is that they will not
start charging if the battery is below a certain voltage, usually around
9 volts. Obviously this means the battery is badly discharged but a good
old fashioned charger will whack some electrons in and get the voltage
back up to something that the newfangled chargers such as Optimate can
understand.

So ...... If the Optimate will not charge a battery just give it an hour
or so on an old charger or jumpleaded to a good battery and try again.
This does not, of course, guarantee that the battery has not been fucked
by being left discharged but in many cases a rescue is possible.

 

My scruffy Halfords device appears to have things under control.

 

Thus spake () unto the assembled multitudes:

I do also have a conventional charger, so will keep both to hand.

Thanks for the tip.

 

Bad form, but in case anyone's interested, an update. It's a bit, err,
surreal.

Yesterday I went round to the house where I lived when I originally
bought the battery, & there was a 'missed delivery' card there from
Business Post, dated 12th March. I rang them when I got home, & they
said it was from a company called Tayna. OK, that'll be a replacement
battery then, & the stupid muppets lost the new address details (even
though they picked the old battery up from said new address a few weeks
ago).

I then check emails, & there's one from Tayna as follows:

"We have charged the battery and tested it and it is performing to its
original capacity. The only issue with the battery was it needed an
overnight charge as it had been drained down during use. We can return
this battery to you for a cost of ?7.98. Please confirm that we can
take this money and we will contact the bank. Please do not be
surprised at this outcome as over 60% of batteries returned simply need
a good charge to return them to their normal working capacity. Your
battery still has a capacity of 650cca!"

Riiiiiiight. So the thing Business Post tried to deliver more than 10
days ago must be the original battery, which has miraculously recovered
after an overnight charge (even though I left it on charge for several
days before returning it), & they've forgotten they sent it to me. So I
email them again, saying I've called Business Post, who confirmed it
was from Tayna but couldn't say what it was, & ask Tayna to confirm it
is the battery that Business Post are holding & not just a catalogue or
something, as collecting will be a bit of hassle. They reply, saying
"sorry for the confusion. Call Business Post." Great. Seriously, really
fucking useful.

Anyway I went to collect the mystery parcel this morning, & it's a
brand new battery. WFT? I suppose I shouldn't complain as I got the
right outcome, but I'll be avoiding them in future I think. Their
internal comms are seriously fucked up, which could cause major hassle
methinks.

--
Krusty

'03 Tiger 955i
'02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
'79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)

 

Think that qualifies as a result, although I would avoid Tayna on the
strength of that saga.

Wonder if there's some poor sucker somewhere thinking that their new
battery doesn't look that new...

 

Thus spake Bob Scott () unto the assembled multitudes:

Hmmm... I ordered a new battery from Tayna for my Trident late on Monday.
Should be getting delivered today...