PCX 125cc, 2011, won't start, battery charged... or is it?

[scratchy]

Hello all

Wondering if you more technically minded chaps possibly help me out please?

2011 pcx 125cc (UK version) has been in my workshop unused for around 8 months... I know, sorry
Periodically (every couple of months) I have it on trickle charge for a few days, battery indicator is always showing green.

Need to start it up today, and no dice. Had a strange whining sound, it felt like it was behind the dash.
Slapped it on a charger overnight, and the dash lit up but still no dice, the second time I tried the speedometer got stuck at around 60mph.

With the battery charger connected it tries to fire (just) without the charger nothing, so I'm thinking battery.

I removed the original battery charged it, checked it the day after same again. 2 hours later I put the multimeter on it, and it's reading 12.7v, if I wire up a 12v 10w halogen for 30 seconds this drops to 10.1v, when I removed the halogen, it's back up to 12.6v.

Kick stand is in, and idling off and yes I press the left brake lever in.

I'm about to buy a new battery, but not sure if thats the problem.

BTW, the headlamps don't seem to work at all, bulbs are A.O.K.


Sorry for the rambling first post.

Scratchy.

[gn2]

Voltage needs to be checked under load.
Fact that a 10w bulb dropped it to 10.1v after 30 secs would tend to suggest the battery is goosed.
If its the original one the scooter came with its done not bad at eight years.

[Mel46]

When my battery is really low, mostly when I am using it for testing new projects, it give the same indications that it does not have enough charge to start the bike.
In your case, that battery gives all the indications that it is the problem. How old is the battery? In most cases they may last 3 - 4 years, sometimes longer, but they certainly won't last for the life of the bike. There have been a few here who have bought the new lithium battery. It probably could last that long.
I would say change out the battery and try it again.

[scratchy]

Cheers fellas, I’ll order a replacement, might not be a Yuasa thought, at £70 they seem steep.

[Mel46]

Some of the offbeat brands are good and some are bad. It is a gamble. It isnt that they won't start your bike initially. It is their longevity. Just a note of caution.

[scratchy]

New Battery now installed and all seems well, cheers guys.

Do you guys have the scoot on charge when not in use? Or just periodically?

[gn2]

If you ride the scooter regularly there will be no need to charge it.
I've never had to charge a scooter battery apart from one time when it had been left for four months outdoors in winter.

[Inoplanetyanin]

I've had good experience with gel batteries. Current on the second one. First one lasted about 4-5 yrs. For the PCX, I would get the OEM Yuasa, even at a little higher price. The hassle of dealing with weak or poor battery is not worth the savings to me.