Electrical Dunce

[brucewayne]

After a few electrical problems on my 1100 I've ordered a new gel battery.
In the meantime I wanted to check my alternator is sticking out the correct charge.

I've got the multimeter featured here but am a complete electrical novice and would just like some advice on using it.

Which dial setting should I use and where exactly am I putting the contacts? Also, which of the 3 holes in the unit do I use for the 2 cables? The instructions that came with it expect quite a bit of amateur electric knowledge.

I think I got some sparks last time I fumbled around with this...

 

[D6]

id read it two or 3 times if i was you
dial on dcv, 20v, red lead to live terminal, black to negative,(on the battery) should show around 13.5 to 14.5 v approx when bikes revved

black lead goes to "com",,,,,,,red led to the one above the black(on the meter)

 

[D6]

ps , better checking with the new battery on , not the old one

 

[brucewayne]

Cheers, just tried it...engine going and main beam on 2000revs and I'm getting 13.80 volts....so quite happy with that I guess, considering the current battery won't hold charge for more than a day or two.