In order to answer your initial query before the thread becomes a discussion on battery maintainers: Buy a new battery of any type and fit an earthing cable - this can be just a wire of reasonable gauge, mine looks to be about 4mm wide including the plastic insulation. This should solve your starting problems and get your bike sorted for work. Expect to buy a new battery if it goes pop again, and consider a battery maintainer if it's going to be unused for a week or so. Mine will struggle after 8 or 9 days with no optimate top-up. Then sit back and wait for the next problem
I got a motobat, for 999 from Busters, nx day delivery. good reviews and 2yr g'tee (I think), but mines struggling a bit 1 year old and I've looked after it. A thing that kills batteries is leaving them in the cold. If the temps +5 or lower I take mine off and bring indoors.
Have a look at my thread. http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f41/new-battery-blooming-bike-still-wont-start-9297/ I had the same issues and it was the battery and I put on some hicap leads. They made a big difference and bike starts within a second now. I
I've used Motobatts and have no problem recommending them. The one time I had an issue was from a brand new Motobatt - it was replaced FoC by the very nice dealer
Thank you guys. I ended up getting the bosch on lunch from halfords as it was a fiver cheaper and I can return it within 28 days. Ima go home tonight and see how the bike does with current battery and earth lead. If no luck ill try the new battery with the lead.
Vitally important to get the correct battery as the 749/999 battery lives on it's side! Also helps to use the correct starting technique as it's easy to flood the engine if you don't know how! Basically, don't touch the throttle when starting. Experiment with 'cold start lever' to get it just right for your bike. I suspect they all start differently, mine seems to work best with the cold start lever in its fully on position. As soon as it's fired and running I gradually close the lever.
Salmore, I know what you mean about your 999 being a reluctant starter, my 999S is as well, even with a full charge new'ish battery. It has restricted me using the bike in case my non-sympathetic mates laugh their heads off when it won't start. HOWEVER, I've just rec'd a set of higher spec starter cables from one of our forum buddies who has them for sale on ebay. I've only fitted the extra earth cable at the moment and Jeez it starts so quickly now I can hardly believe it. It's never started as quickly, EVER. It's so good I'm wondering now whether it's a fluke due to the warmer weather, things don't normally do what it says on the tin for me. Do the cable mod but use a high spec cable.
What's this earthing cable jobby then? Edit: never mind. Did this hobby a few weeks ago. I can confirm that it starts quicker...but it could be due to the warmer weather......
It isn't just the warmer weather. The trick worked for me in cold, cold February, when I had no right to expect my 999 to start.
Got home. Tried starting it as is.. very heavy to turn over but started. I shut it back off.. again really heavy and would not start anymore. Tried attaching a wire from -ve to engine and starting nothing changed just as heavy and didnt start... gatta be the battery seems the grounding made no dofference... maybe its grounded well already. Just waiting for the acid to get ibto the new battery once there we will see hoq the new one does. Maybe will replace the ecu to the dp one while im at it and the battery is out
Don't use the Halfrauds Bosch battery - the 999 battery lives on its side and the Bosch one they sell is NOT made for such use. It will leak.
Alright so installed the bosch battery. Made sure to tape it up and close it up well to hopefully not have it leak. Also connected a wire from negative to random bolt on engine. Started right away. Seemed to display 12.6 charge which is quite a bit more than ive ever seen with the old battery. Hopefully no more issues thanks for all your help and advise
Tape won't stop the battery from leaking if its the wrong type of battery to go on its side. Check the Bosch website to see if it's recommended for 999. If not return it before it damages your bike and the battery.
I have a car battery charger and a timer plug. I have set it to trickle and the timer for 30mins a day. Seems to work. I put a quick release connector just inside the faring to my battery. If you don't have electric in the garage, you can get a solar panel cheaply now and connect that to the bike whilst garaged.
Salmore, I'm speaking from experience! I bought one of the Bosch batteries from Halfrauds, listed for a 999. I had my doubts about it being installed in the bike on its side,so I layed it on a bench for just a few minutes and a significant amount of acid leaked out. I returned it to Halfrauds and explained that their book is wrong. They refunded the cost and said they would report the error. Your tape might prevent it from leaking at the moment, but how long will it resist the acid?
If its a wet battery then the plates have to be covered fully which won't happen on its side. It won't even work for long. The Motobatt I have in my 999 is a matt fibre type.
