My baby died. Actually, I killed her. I delivered a fatal 12-volt shock directly to her brain with jumper cables attached to a car battery. My god, what have I done?
First, don’t believe everything you read on the Internet (the Blue House Blog being the exception, of course). Even if you read on more than 10 websites that it’s OK to use a car battery to jump your motorcycle’s discharged battery, don’t do it. If you do, you may end up like me: a normally cautious, reasonably skilled, amateur mechanic with reduced transportation options.
When a 12-volt charge from an automobile enters a 12-volt electrical system on a motorcycle, all can be expected to go reasonably well, provided you don’t introduce a different amperage (achieved by using the battery, but not turning on the donor source’s engine). However, when you get around to using jumper wires with clips intended for a car battery on the motorcycle’s system, things have a tendency to touch where they shouldn’t. In my sceanario, my motorcycle started once and then died for good. No power anywhere even after properly recharging the battery with a trickle charger. I spent two weeks in mental anguish wondering if my motorcycle was fried for good, thus ending motorcycle ownership for the foreseeable future (upcoming wedding + existing student loan payments = no $ for new motorcycle).
Later, after spending a few hours in the garage wiping away sweat as I tested various components with a new voltmeter (I love any excuse to buy a new tool), I determined three things: 1. I’m an idiot for jumping my motorcycle with a car battery, 2. I need to find an air-conditioned garage, and 3. I blew my main fuse and starter solenoid.
Luckily, in Indianapolis, there’s a little shop called Cycle Re-Cycle II. It’s chock full of disassembled motorcycles and offers a boon of affordable new and used parts for a backyard mechanic like myself. I’ve traditionally been a little leery of shopping there, as I never thought I had enough grease underneath my fingernails to earn the respect of the shop’s gruff and usually disinterested keepers. This trip was a special surprise, however. The shop had new management. In about 10 minutes, I had special installation instructions, a brand new starter solenoid and main fuse, and a newfound optimism towards future motorcycle repairs. When I got home, I had my motorcycle running again in less than 20 minutes.
I love good service.
Now that is true recycling! Instead of ditching the bike, you brought it back to life with a new part. Sweet.
I’ll be sure not to ask you for mechanical advice about my motorcycle ever again