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Post by vincentmoy on Apr 20, 2010 3:00:16 GMT
I have a 92 S and today when I test the charging system, it's showing 13.5v at the terminal at 5000 rpm. The book is calling for 14.3 -15.3. I am wondering if it's something I need to worry about?
Thanks!
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Post by bobh on Apr 20, 2010 10:27:24 GMT
The voltage at the battery is determined as much by the condition of the battery itself as by the alternator and regulator.
The easy test is to see whether the lights dim noticeably when the revs drop, and at what rpm. Also at low rpm you will probably notice the dash lights (e.g. the neutral light) dim in time with the indicators - this effect should disappear as the revs rise - if it doesn't then the alternator may not be pushing out enough current and you need to look into it further.
At the end of the day (and other footballing clichés) all that really matters is that the battery is getting enough charge to start the engine next time you use the bike. If you're only doing long journeys on open roads this is a lot easier than short journeys in town, where you use the indicators, brake light etc. all the time and also lower revs.
I'm wondering why you needed to check the charging system in the first place?
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Post by HRHpenfold on Apr 20, 2010 12:44:53 GMT
I have a 92 S and today when I test the charging system, it's showing 13.5v at the terminal at 5000 rpm. The book is calling for 14.3 -15.3. I am wondering if it's something I need to worry about? Thanks! why did you need to test the charging system, was there some fault? |
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Post by vincentmoy on Apr 20, 2010 18:28:22 GMT
The reason I do that because my old batt was dead, which is my fault because I left that batt in the bike on an inheated garage during the Alaska winter. It was reading 12.4v when I decided to take it inside on Mar.
Couple days ago I started the bike for the first time with a jumper and drove to the gas station 2 miles down. I filled it up and when I turned ign to on it won't lit anything. So I jumped the bike again and it will die if I don't rev it to above 1500 rpm. So I just want to see if the charging sys is still good after I put the new batt in.
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Post by bobh on Apr 20, 2010 21:31:31 GMT
If the alternator will balance the load above 1500 rpm that sounds OK to me. I'd go ahead with a new battery - but charge it right up before you fit it, and watch out for any symptoms that it's not being charged properly. So long as it doesn't go completely flat you won't damage it.
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Post by vincentmoy on Apr 20, 2010 22:01:40 GMT
"watch out for any symptoms that it's not being charged properly"
Sorry to be a noob, but what are they usually? Like the lights not lit up and things like that?
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Post by CD on Apr 20, 2010 22:48:18 GMT
An Optimate charger is good for gently topping up batteries and recovering them if they get over discharged. They can also be left connected continuously avoiding the battery going flat with disuse.
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