Can a battery be *that* knackered?

[BliarOut]

That it won't take a charge at all? On my bike I've attached an old eighties charger that will output *whatever*. No fancy polarity detection circuits etc. but nothing's getting through to the bike at all. When I turn the key it's dead as a dodo, not an LED in sight.

I'm assuming the battery has turned into some form of gelatinous resistor over the last few years while she's been sat. i don't particularly want to get a fresh battery on spec as it's over a ton!

What can I do to check the rest of the bike is OK before I fork out for a new battery?

[kambites]

Nick the battery from a car to start it?

[BadgerBill]

Over a ton?

or here

BB

PS A battery can be that far gone if left uncharged for a prolonged period.

[james12345]

If you're going to use a car to jump start your bike, then make sure of the following two things:

1) Make sure the bike is definitely 12 volt!

2) DO NOT have the car engine running!!! - it'll knacker the charging circuit on the bike...

[BliarOut]

BadgerBill said:

Over a ton?

or here

BB

PS A battery can be that far gone if left uncharged for a prolonged period.

Yup, mine's acting like a resistor. For £39 quit I'm willing to risk it

[Biker's Nemesis]

james12345 said:

If you're going to use a car to jump start your bike, then make sure of the following two things:

1) Make sure the bike is definitely 12 volt!

2) DO NOT have the car engine running!!! - it'll knacker the charging circuit on the bike...

Yep, it's the amps that kill it.

[sticks090460]

No electrolyte = not a battery any more.