15.2 volts @2500rpm: bad regulator/rectifier?

I noticed my 8 months old battery was showing 12.6 volts after sitting in the parking lot all day at work.
I thought the battery was not keeping its charge. Could the 15.2 volts charge rate have damaged the battery?
Should I get a new R/R?
Juniorglide

 

you should test the regulator

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-ultimate-relay-switch-sensor-and-diodes-guide.27543/

from link above
If your charging voltages are too low, suspect the alternator brushes first, then perform the alternator stator and rotor checks as described in the Alternator Section.

If your charging voltages are too high, suspect your Regulator - Rectifier unit first, and perhaps dirty or corroded electrical terminals. The procedure for checking these is too detailed to describe here, and you should consult your service manual for additional details.

5) Check the condition of your main circuit terminals.....they should be zestfully clean and uncorroded, or you're primed for a variety of problems......not only will your circuits not be getting full power out of your battery, but to add insult to injury, your charging system may think that the battery needs more juice, and so it starts cranking out amps like there's no tomorrow. It's pretty safe to say that neither of those two occurrences qualify as a Good Thing (tm), so...........start at the beginning, and inspect and clean (and then protect, like with di-electric grease or equivalent) all the [/b] terminal connection points[/b]:

* the positive battery post connection to the positive battery cable.
* the positive battery cable connection to the starter relay (or "solenoid").
* the main harness terminal connector from the starter relay.
* the main lead from the starter relay to the starter motor (both ends).
* the "main fuse" contacts inside the fusebox.
* the battery ground cable contacts at both the engine case and at the negative battery post (poor ground are just as bad as poor positive feeds; after all, it takes two to tango, or to complete a circuit, and electricity doesn't care where the restriction occurs).

 

Thanks. I'll check these first. A new R/R is pretty expensive!

 

cleaning only costs you time

 

Does it continue to increase when the rpms go up?

 

No it stays at 15,2 ( brought it up to 4000 rpms) . I tried my battery meter on my Harley and it registers 14.4 at idle and higher RPMs as well. I'm going to clean the ground connection on the case. Do you guys think it's about to fail or is it within specs?