Carging system check?

[Nick dj]

I replaced the battery a few months ago but the new battery is also going flat!!!

I think the charging system maybe at fault, anyone have any advice on how to check it?

Nick

 

[Greenman14]

Simple check is battery volts, you should have about 14v with the engine running, about 12v without. If you don't have a voltmeter the headlights should be a bit brighter with the engine running.

 

[Delboy777]

Using a volt meter take a reading of the battery without engine running. Then do it again with it running just above tickover that should give you an indication of how good the alternator is. Look for more than 14v when engine running.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine shows 14.1 to 14.2 with engine running. Anything more will cook the battery to death. Voltmeters are so cheap they are almost disposable. Stick one somewhere visible and wire to an ignition switched live lead. Even better wire it to the battery but that's only for testing as it wont switch off when the bike is parked.

 

[TLSgazza]

Simple check is battery volts, you should have about 14v with the engine running, about 12v without. If you don't have a voltmeter the headlights should be a bit brighter with the engine running.

Much brighter with the engine running on mine, considering the lights don't come on until I start the bike.

 

[Nick dj]

Thanks all

Thank all and Bendy again (he often responds when I ask)

It does seem that power is going into the battery when the engine is running. I have a power lead connected for a heated jacket than I am going to disconnect to see if that could be the problem.

My bike is over 6 years old and the starter is showing its age at times could the starter be draining it?

 

[Santa-2512]

How old is the battery... they dont last forever

just seen, sould like somthing else is drawing current

 

[Nick dj]

Lead

The jacket lead was not working so I figured that couldn`t be the problem!!!

Whist taking it apart I noticed a tiny lump of dirt in the bottom of one of the plug connections, when I poked it out, it sparked, but the lead now works.
The push together connections don`t allow anything in and the whole joint was encased in a cycle inner tube, so the dirt mush have been in there for two years and changed position.

To test it , I have disconnected it and charged the battery and hope to use it tomorrow and see if the problem is solved.

I agree with the last comment batteries don`t last forever so I just changed the 6 year old battery thinking that had to be the problem.

I will let you know how I get on,

 

[Santa-2512]

The jacket lead was not working so I figured that couldn`t be the problem!!!

Whist taking it apart I noticed a tiny lump of dirt in the bottom of one of the plug connections, when I poked it out, it sparked, but the lead now works.
The push together connections don`t allow anything in and the whole joint was encased in a cycle inner tube, so the dirt mush have been in there for two years and changed position.

To test it , I have disconnected it and charged the battery and hope to use it tomorrow and see if the problem is solved.

I agree with the last comment batteries don`t last forever so I just changed the 6 year old battery thinking that had to be the problem.

I will let you know how I get on,

I had a similar problem,

With the assistance of a felow tosser, & a battery (lol) of tests, we confirmed that

the battery was sound, and that the issue lay with the starter motor

it cost about £140 for a reman Valeo unit.

It still doent stop me running the battery down / flat by being a pillock though

 

[Bendy toy]

My starter failed initially being weak when hot. TBH the new one is a bit lazy though.

A battery with one cell going weak "can" make the lights brighten more when engine is revved, because they are dim when the battery is delivering power. But losing one cell would usually prevent the bike starting - volts are too low to drive the ECU.

My Diversion 900 turned over nicely but refused to start. Jump leads used and it fired up fine. Checking voltages I had only 10.5V at battery terminals though 14.1V with engine running. I've not repeated the "trick" with BMW but its likely to be the same and maybe refuse to turn the engine.

 

[oblertone]

Try looking at this fault finding chart; it'll giving you a more systematic method of checking.

 

[Santa-2512]

Try looking at this fault finding chart; it'll giving you a more systematic method of checking.

Good Call Oblertone, :

I'd forgotten about that one