WTF is the deal with our battery? @ ZX12R ZONE.com

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Pro
Posts: 1592

posted May 22, 2003 12:02 PM

WTF is the deal with our battery?

I've never had to take my cover off yet, but I think my battery (I hope!) is mostly dead, or else I've really screwed something up somewhere else.

I was going to put the charger on it, so, after going to buy a Looong socket for the 8mm bolts (my short/fatty one didn't get in there) I disconnect things and find a bright red plastic cap staring me in the face.
I tried charging on the post that is right there on the side, and that seemed to peg my needle on the charger, so I disconnected that and started to look deeper. (sure hope I didn't fook anything up by doing that!!!!)

I undo that red cap and see what looks like a "hot" lead and after trying to juice my battery off of that, I take the battery out and find that the damn cable doesn't connect to anything at the other end! what the heck is the thinking there?

The cable/wire goes up on top of the batter, under that plastic cover and kinda wraps around the top of the battery to wind up in a DEAD END. Not connected to anything.

Very weird. What the hell is that for anyway?

Battery is out now, on the bench, getting charged.

wannabe

Pro
Posts: 1931

posted May 22, 2003 12:09 PM

That cable was meant to connect to a jumper cable. But, because Kawasaki didn't want the liability involved with leaving a hot wire dangling around in your battery case, they decided to leave it disconnected. A lot of people connect it the first time they're in there and leave it connected. It makes charging your battery much much easier. Just make sure that you make sure that it's totally taped up when you stuff it back in the battery box. You would want to short anything out.

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"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; the rest are just games." - Ernest Hemingway

MadMike

Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579

posted May 22, 2003 12:13 PM

I would put an Interstate in there for sure!
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!

harryzx-12

Needs a job
Posts: 3643

posted May 22, 2003 12:19 PM

I put an interstate battery in my original 12 a couple months ago. It's a great battery and I would highly reccomend it. I am also going to put one in the 2000 12 I just got (and one in my zx-12 dragbike when i get it done) The battery seems to last a little over 3 years(original battery) which is damn good in my book!
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"

n da zone

Expert Class
Posts: 215

posted May 22, 2003 12:23 PM

BA, you can also look at this thread from a few months ago. I had the same questions, and they were nicely answered.

http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=1&TID=6039&set_time=

Pro
Posts: 1592

posted May 22, 2003 12:54 PM

Thanks y'all.

I'll check that thread now.....

zxlnt

Needs a job
Kawpuke Extraordinare
Posts: 2853

posted May 22, 2003 03:21 PM

The one the side I belive goes directly to the starter, so when u put ur charger on it was giving voltage to the starter trying to make it spin..

kcadby

Pro
Posts: 1733

posted May 22, 2003 03:51 PM

yup...it's the starter wire...

TedG

Moderator
Posts: 8222

posted May 22, 2003 04:23 PM

Before you claim your battery is screwed, remove it and tighten the terminals and give it a good charge. The terminals loosen all by themselves.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS

Pro
Posts: 1592

posted May 22, 2003 06:47 PM

Good ending to this problem.

she was pretty dead, I gave it a 10amp charge for 1 hr, and re-installed it, this time connecting up the Extender cable thing that KHI chose not to install.
It was enough juice to give me ALL new symptoms, good ones at that, but it could only just barely get the engine turned over.

I then used that "jumpstart cable" to good use and let'er charge another hour or two, and BAM she actually started!!! woohoooo!
It's been 4 months since she was last started. (long story about how the engine almost came out to replace the shift forks)

now she's getting the trickle charge overnight.

and thanks to you guys, I *WILL NOT* re-install that top bolt!!