R3Tex
Living Legend
Ok friends, need a little help on an ongoing problem...first some background information...the bike is a 2013 Roadster with 17,000 miles on it. It hasn't been ridden much of late as I have three others that need exercise. The last time I rode it (a couple months ago) I suspected a charging issue as it nearly stranded me in downtown New Orleans...very slow turn over, but eventually started. This after about an hours ride from the north shore. Charged it overnight and took a short ride the next day but not long enough to fully discharge a hot battery if the charging system wasn't working.
I just got the chance to do some diagnostics. Battery has been on 1.25 amp Delran "Battery Tender Plus" trickle charger for a few days and is showing "green" which supposedly means fully charged. When checked with a multi meter directly across the battery terminals it reads 9.8 volts which seems exceptionally low for a "fully charged" battery. I would have expected something more in the 11 - 12 volt range. Start the bike and let it warm up for a minute...voltage never goes over 10 volts. Run it up to 2500 rpms and the voltage reads 10.2 volts across the terminals. Again...would have expected it to be higher at 2500 rpms...somewhere in the 14.5 volt range since I should be reading the charging system at this point and not the battery state.
So my question...bad battery? change the regulator out or some deeper problem? BTW...this is the bike I refer to as my Redheaded Slut...and she has to participate in a bike show and then lead a ride in a couple of weeks. Would be exceptionally embarrassing if she strands me on the side of the road since her presence was specifically requested.
I plan to change the battery anyway just to eliminate an easily replaced problem.
I just got the chance to do some diagnostics. Battery has been on 1.25 amp Delran "Battery Tender Plus" trickle charger for a few days and is showing "green" which supposedly means fully charged. When checked with a multi meter directly across the battery terminals it reads 9.8 volts which seems exceptionally low for a "fully charged" battery. I would have expected something more in the 11 - 12 volt range. Start the bike and let it warm up for a minute...voltage never goes over 10 volts. Run it up to 2500 rpms and the voltage reads 10.2 volts across the terminals. Again...would have expected it to be higher at 2500 rpms...somewhere in the 14.5 volt range since I should be reading the charging system at this point and not the battery state.
So my question...bad battery? change the regulator out or some deeper problem? BTW...this is the bike I refer to as my Redheaded Slut...and she has to participate in a bike show and then lead a ride in a couple of weeks. Would be exceptionally embarrassing if she strands me on the side of the road since her presence was specifically requested.
I plan to change the battery anyway just to eliminate an easily replaced problem.