On Tuesday night, I left the bike outside again. Next morning, after getting ready for work, I stepped outside to feel the air. Sure enough, it felt even colder than Monday. I walked up to the bike and I was right, it was 34 degrees on the thermometer. This is the same thermometer that I used last year, by the way.
You might recall that I attempted to start it at 34 degrees one morning, and it took me 5 tries. Copied below is that attempt from a year ago.
Posted 28 December 2012 - 09:18 AM
Finally got some decent (is there such a thing?) cold weather. It was 34 bone chilling degrees outside.
Check voltmeter: 13.2
Turn on heated grips to medium setting: voltage slowly dropped to 12.7 or so. 3 minutes later I hit the start button for 6 seconds. Cranked slowly at first, then got slower still. Voltage dropped to the 8's. No start. Clock reset to 1:00. Cranking duration: about 6 seconds
Second attempt: Left the key (and parking lights) on, waited one minute, tried again: voltage just before turning the key, 12.5 Same results as above, no apparent difference in cranking speed (that I could tell). Cranking duration: about 6 seconds.
Third attempt: Left the key on again, waited one minute, voltage just before hitting starter button: 12.6 Same results as above with the exception that engine cranked slightly faster initially, but slowed to a very slow steady crank. Cranking duration: about 6 seconds
Fourth attempt: Left the key on again, waited one minute, voltage just before hitting starter button, 12.8 Same results as above with the exception that engine cranked quite a bit faster (initially), almost fast enough to start (I'm getting good at telling by ear what cranking speed is necessary to light her off, it's pretty consistent). Clock didn't reset this time, but starter slowed to a slow steady crank... faster than earlier attempts. Cranking duration: about 4 seconds
Fifth attempt: Left the key on again, waited one minute, voltage just before hitting starter button, 12.9 Wow what a difference. The last attempt was noticeably faster, and this one was faster still. I could hear as soon as I hit the button that we were within the range where it normally starts. And of course, it did.
Total duration of all this: about 7 or 8 minutes.
What I learned today: the engine definitely cranks faster each time I make the attempt. Today I noted that the battery's voltage after waiting one minute in between starting attempts was rising slowly.
Tuesday, 1/7/14
Temp: 34 degrees
Voltage: 13.2 before turning key, 12.7 after.
Starting procedure: Turned key, engine cranked slowly for perhaps 3 1/2 seconds, and engine started. Based on the cranking speed, I'm guessing that I'm pretty close to the lowest possible temperature that the bike can start on the first try. It was definitely cranking slower than Monday when the temp was 36. Amazing that I can hear and tell the difference with just a 2 degree change. Oh well. Compare this to the regimen I had to go through last year at the same temp. (Shown above).
What I learned: This new Shorai is indeed a better battery than the one I tested a year ago. Just as we surmised at the onset of all of this over a year ago, technology is marching on. I will attempt to test the battery further if and when the temps drop to freezing or below. Stay tuned.
Gary
darksider #44
