The Case Of The Missing Screws

30/03/2007 by Peter Miller.

As previously mentioned, several times I think, I have had trouble with my motorcycle battery.  The original one went flat and would not charge up.  The optimate bike battery charger I used told me it was duff or the charger was duff. So I thought to myself I had better buy a new battery then I can check both the battery and the charger.

A little while later my brother came round to borrow our optimate bike battery charger, I could not find it. I thought to myself have I chucked it thinking it was no good. I said to him I would have to buy a replacement (for the one I assumed I had lost). 

So, I buy a new replacement charger (care of the wonderful ebay) and I also purchase a new battery for myself.  When the new battery charger arrives I charge the new battery.  Bingo!!! its all going great guns.

A week goes by then my brother phones me and tells me he has found the original charger in the boot of his car.  He borrowed it a week or so earlier, due to drink no doubt,  it was forgotten that he had already borrowed it.

Then, my new bike battery keeps going flat. I re-charge it on several occasions.  In the end I decide to phone the shop where I purchased the battery from and tell them it is a duff one.  I do this and they say bring it back and we will replace it.

(Are you following this so far)

Today, I decide to take off the battery and take it back.  Once the battery is off the bike I have a quick look at the contacts.  It appears there has been some arcing on them.  I think to myself this cannot be right.

The photo below shows 2 battery contact points, into these slide 2 metal blocks and the battery terminals connect to these.  The little metal blocks are a loose fitting, they should be tight to give a good contact.  I look at my old battery and notice there are 2 spare screws attached to it.  HA HA!!! I think to myself if I take them off and screw them to the new battery, then put the battery back on the bike and re-attach the battery contacts all will be well.

Suprise suprise all is fantastic, starts first time and sounds like a lion purring, purrfect I think to myself.

I also think to myself, what an arse I am.  I am a qualified engineer and did not spot this.

So what is left to do.  I know I can try charging the old battery with the new charger and would you believe it, it worked.  Now I have a new battery, a new charger and a few quid less in the bank.

C’est La Vie  (that’s life).  Check out the urban dictionary’s take on this. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=C’est+la+vie 

What a Prat (me I mean) http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=prat  

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