Help please, I seem to have an electrical problem.

Hi guys,

I think my bike may have a short (or bad battery), saturday I went out to start my bike, I got a couple clicks and then nothing.

I put it on a trickle charge for about 2 hours, got it started and let it run for about 20 minutes.

(tuesday) I went out to go for a ride, and it was dead. I put the charger on it, got it started and then it died (still cold),

I hooked it up again, got it running, it warmed up then it all of a sudden died, with no change in rpm or anything.

While it was running I used a meter to check the alternator, and it was putting out 12-13 volts (pretty sure volts not amps).

I tried to start again (no charger) and it only gave me clicks.

Do you guys think you can help me out?

Thank you,

 

Make sure the battery is full of water. Trickle charge several hours and check voltage again . Should be at least 12.65 volts. Put the battery back in. Start the bike and hold the RPMs at 2K or above. Check voltage at those conditions and let us know.

MN

 

Thanks you,

I will do as instructed and try to post results tomorrow.

Will any water be fine?

 

Your voltage should be at arond 14 volts while reving the engine when checking the charging system

 

if you are really low on acid , water really isnt going to make a difference, your battery would be pretty much toast if the cells are really low of acid but you should use distilled water

 

...and don't fill it to the level line when charging, just below as charging could cause it to "boil" over. Once charged, then top up with more distilled water.

 

I got it topped off, they were all just above the electrodes(?)

Its on a trickle charge for the night, I should have results for guys tomorrow.

 

ok, so here is the results:

(Bike on center stand and in neutral)
Started right up with no problems

RPMs at 3250 = 14.3 volts

I jumped the gun and ran the bike before testing the battery level, but the voltage was 12.65 after being run for a few minutes.

 

I just got done running it for about 12 minutes with no problems.

Could the problems have been caused by low battery acid?