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Post by SylvreKat on Apr 18, 2016 6:23:36 GMT -5
Advice time for me again.
Sometime mid-winter, my Battery Tender Jr started going rrreeddddd--GREEN!--rreeeedddddd.... Which means something's gone hinky with the battery. I called ScooterWorld who said no problem they'll put in a new battery when I do the spring tuneup. BUT--to not drive the 15ish miles to the store. Said even if it starts up fine and idles fine, without knowing what's wrong with the battery it could still die en route.
Sat, I stopped at their new shop (I hadn't been in since they moved). I asked if now was the right time to get the spring tuneup, considering I'm not a very experienced rider. They said now's perfect, weather's fine etc etc. I mentioned the battery issue and that one of their guys told me I needed to have them tow Peej. They wondered who that was, said that if Peej idles fine for a bit then he'll be fine driving on the roads, and I really should NOT need the tow.
So here's the request for advice--which of their guys is right? Is there a potential to die on the roads, even if he starts up and idles fine? Or is it once I'm going, I'm good as long as I don't turn off the engine? And another, I'll need to get gas beforehand, so there'll be one stop on the way.
>'Kat
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Post by flyangler on Apr 18, 2016 7:24:04 GMT -5
Kat, you don't have fuel injection, so if you can get it started and let it idle for a while you should have no problem with riding it to the shop, if it were injected you would need it towed.
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Post by JR on Apr 18, 2016 13:28:21 GMT -5
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Post by ricardoguitars on Apr 18, 2016 14:21:54 GMT -5
Does Peej has a kickstarter? If so, you shouldn't worry, it can run without a battery to the shop, just don't drive in the dark, the head and rear lights usually don't work without battery.
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Post by rockynv on Apr 18, 2016 22:18:29 GMT -5
The Piaggio has a high output charging system so if the battery dead shorts on the ride in you could be in for an expensive repair. Can you at least check the water level and ensure that is not so low that the plates are exposed and could short out on the ride in?
If you are able to hook up a charger you should be able to change the battery since you appear to be a level headed sort that can follow directions. Even a Caveman can do it so why not a more evolved Cavegirl? Just remember disconnect Neg(-) first and Positive(+) last and when putting the new one in connect Positive(+) first and Neg(-) last. Don't drop the little nuts and bolts like a Caveman does with his sausage fingers.
Be sure that the battery is charged correctly beforehand. I have seen a number of fresh motorcycle and power equipment batteries reverse phased when first purchased so that they require a hookup to a battery charger to orient them correctly to match the positive and negative terminals. This is more prevalent on batteries that need to be filled with acid at the time of sale.
Note: Proboards appears to be deleting the abbreviation for Positive. Maybe it thinks its a profanity.
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Post by Paladin on Apr 18, 2016 23:24:50 GMT -5
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Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Riding something with two wheels and an engine for 40 some years.
Posts: 81 
Likes: 4
Joined: Apr 2, 2016 7:11:13 GMT -5
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Post by powerzombie on Apr 19, 2016 3:39:06 GMT -5
Does Peej has a kickstarter? If so, you shouldn't worry, it can run without a battery to the shop, just don't drive in the dark, the head and rear lights usually don't work without battery. If the charging system is working, so too should the lights... |
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Post by SylvreKat on Apr 19, 2016 8:02:10 GMT -5
Oh JR, that is about the cutest vid I've seen. And that includes kittens and puppies vids! fly, thanks. ricardo, no kickstarter. And dark wouldn't be an issue for this anyways considering shop hours  rocky--oh hon, you give me so much credit. I didn't hook up the charger, I had the Piggy dealer do it. I just plug in the charger's...uh...charger-tip thing to the tail thing that leads to the battery. And occasionally into the cover-cap of the tail thing instead.  But I'll try to find the battery and check the water level. I suppose I just follow the tail. (btb, thanks for the "level headed" compliment--I'll be sure to tell my friend who nicknamed me "flakey" back in hs) >'Kat |
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Post by shalomdawg on Apr 19, 2016 12:24:32 GMT -5
howdy kat and you really give me a smile when you try to illustrate just how out of tune with the mechanical stuff. some of the people here will have no refference to appreciate that but i may have in this story of my sister. after she got married they bought a new house and it had a fireplace. her husband did the firewood but after he left she was lamenting that she couldn't split the wood so it would burn cause the axe was a dangerous weapon in her hand. i finally got fed up with the complaints and showed her how to use a wedge and hammer to split the wood. she was like dancing on air happy to be shown how to do that one project all by herself. i did give her a generator for when the ellectricity goes out and showed her how to start it but still she has to go get her neighbor to start it cause it never starts for her. anyhoo , keep on keepin on and if you can get someone to help put the battery in and test the voltage after the scoot is running---do it, you'll be happy you did.
ken
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Post by SylvreKat on Apr 21, 2016 6:21:16 GMT -5
So, uhm, I followed the tender's tail on Peej. It goes somewhere underneath. And under the seat is, well, the under-the-seat storage. I'm guessing the battery is somewhere under there? I need tools. Any other thoughts now, what with my inability to check the battery's water level? >'Kat  |
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Post by SylvreKat on Apr 21, 2016 6:25:26 GMT -5
ken, I'm totally with your sister. Axes are dangerous. I've never even used our little one to smack closed our Dixie Belle's clamps. That was always Dad's or brother 2's job. I'd probably chop off my fingers, despite edge up and in its leather case. As for your sis' generator, how often does she need to turn it on? If you only do something once every few months, you don't remember how to do it. Besides, that's why God gave us nice neighbors!  >'Kat |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Apr 22, 2016 21:25:46 GMT -5
Kat,
Paladin had a good idea! If your battery IS over the hill, you can just replace it yourself with a new, ready-to-go one. I did that with "Lil Bubba" my old Chinese 150.
It should take few tools, and only minutes to install. Just hook up as Rockynv said and you're ready to go!
Best wishes, and RIDE SAFE!
Leo
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