Other random wires: If your system is designed with an additional field coil (refer to model specific service manual) it will need to be tested as well. While technically you could use the automotive charger, if you don’t keep an eye on it or leave it unattended … The regulator’s job is to make sure that the charging voltage that meets the battery, stays within certain limits to create a optimum battery charging condition. Checked the voltage at the battery while bike running, it reads whatever the battery charge is. 4. In order to test all of them, you need a small multimeter, you can get on for ten bucks. Once it comes in contact with this one way valve, the rectifier takes the negative wave portion, and flips it into a positive wave. The mechanism of a motorcycle does charge it’s own battery while the motorcycle is running. Motorcycle battery was not charging while riding, bike died out? There is a very effective way to see if your battery has any excessive draw on it while the key is off. At idle, your bike will not produce enough voltage to recharge a battery, so even running the bike for a long time will not charge it reliably. Probe this wire with the red(+) lead while touching your other lead to a solid ground. Motorcycle battery was not charging while riding, bike died out? Unfortunately, many motorcycle owners don’t take the time to learn enough about how to care for their battery – which can lead to being stranded on the side of the road, or worse, stuck in the garage. I will replace this one soon with a better shot! Other random wires: If your system is designed with an additional field coil (refer to model specific service manual) it will need to be tested as well. • Set your meter to read DC voltage. Found my battery not charging. Battery issues are completely frustrating. Here’s how to diagnose, jump-start, and charge your motorcycle battery so you can get on your way. It will seem that the voltage available in the battery is not enough to start the motorcycle. To check the battery is charging put your multimeter, on a range suitable for reading 10 to 20 volts dc, across the battery. alternator not charging battery - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum. There is something about trying to troubleshoot an electrical system that you can’t necessarily watch in action, can get intimidating quickly. Battery – Stores regulated DC current. A healthy motorcycle charging system puts out about 14 volts at 2,000 rpm, and a lithium battery needs between 13 and 14 volts to charge. In which case the stator has begun to break down or is bad. IGNITION OFF. • Set your multi-meter to read resistance(Ω). Or you may find it's not the battery at all and a charging system problem instead. Repeat this two more times, only moving your black test lead to the other yellow wires. You may also get a very high resistance reading. Anything under and the charging system is not able to keep up. When a motorcycle has a bad terminal connection, that means the battery cable either has a poor connection or isn’t connected at all. A low or failing battery can cause crazy readings during your testing. Video-Is your Harley-Davidson or other brand motorcycle seem to be cranking over slowly when starting? • Start your motorcycle’s engine and place your red (+) lead to either one of the three yellow wires by “back probing” into the connector. Activating the motorcycle but not fully starting it places strain on the battery. The specific value of this number differentiates from bike to bike. I wound up push starting the bike and i got it running. It’s possible for the wiring to have been done wrong when these types of add-ons where installed on a motorcycle. What... Can You Ride A Motorcycle With A Blown Head Gasket? At idle, your bike will not produce enough voltage to recharge a battery, so even running the bike for a long time will not charge it reliably. If you get a resistance reading through both ways on the diode. It is not easy to explain the whole process of troubleshooting in a single video. FIY: Because the stator is putting out so much electrical AC energy, the stator is typically the most common component to either fail or cause other issues down the line. You may get 0.2volts (+ or -) during any one of these checks and that is OK! The reading should be between 14 and15 Volts on most cars. • With the stator harness connector still unplugged and your multi-meter still in the resistance (Ω) setting, place your red (+) lead to each of the yellow wires while grounding the black (-) lead to a solid ground. Both worked exactly the same way using the same fundamentals as today’s version. See my other article here to learn more about how a motorcycle stator works. 18 Views Add Answer 1 Answer Zigwheels | 2 weeks ago. This NEEDS to be correctly charged and tested before you start and troubleshooting. Q. I have all sorts of electrical problems with my bike. When the regulator/rectifier isn’t doing it’s job, that could mean it’s not converting the power into voltage the motorcycle can store which leads to the battery not really getting any power at all. Removing the battery is a tricky operation. If it has not improved, your bike may have problems with its charging system, and/or the battery may be past its prime and need replacement. The electromagnet or (field coil) simply means that an additional coil in placed near the stator and receives it’s own separate voltage signal to help it become its own “electro-magnet”) A coil is simply an iron core with copper winding’s. Take it to a battery shop to check it. My motorcycle is not charging the battery. To push start a motorcycle, you need to get it rolling fast enough that the compression of the engine will start the combustion cycle. Batteries were not made to power the bike while it’s running, only mainly to get it started. Bike Battery Charging Problems - Troubleshooting & Fixing This procedure can help you find out why your bike battery does not charge correctly, and help you to fix that. Hello, I have been restoring my dad's 1969 charger and have come across a big problem which is the battery is not charging when it is running. Motorcycle battery charging questions..... Do I have to charge a motorcycle battery? You may also get a very high resistance reading. If the battery voltage increased to above 14.8 Volts, the charging circuit is likely overcharging the battery. While maintaining a battery at its full state-of charge will ensure optimum life, overcharging may significantly reduce it. Checked for shorts or opens … Having dealt with every battery problem imaginable through the dozen or so motorcycles I’ve owned in the last few years, I’ve been able to get a good idea of exactly how motorcycle batteries work and why it would drain while riding. Let’s get to work! In which case the stator has begun to break down or is bad. Do not turn the car on. External charging – “How long does a motorcycle battery last?” has a lot to do with ensuring that you never let the battery run low. enough is enough!”. Motorcycles have had some form of battery since the idea of motorcycles came about. Home Posts filed under Search results for Motorcycle The charging system of the motorcycle should bring the voltage of the battery up to about 14.2 to 14.8 volts. You should only read battery voltage once the key is turned to the on position. Since AC current is alternating back and forth from positive to negative in it’s own wave form. A dead motorcycle battery is a drag, but it won’t ruin your day. → → →, Pre 1980, some bikes used these two systems as separated units. • Place your meter’s black (-) lead to a solid ground. This model of the 12-Volt motorcycle battery charger offers multiple benefits for a motorcycle owner. Same goes for if you get an open (no numeric reading) through both ends of the diode. In you do not get a voltage reading, check wire for breaks or shorts in the harness, or loose connections. Step 10: You're All Done! • Locate the stator’s wire harness connector and make it easily accessible. The average motorcycle battery will die after 2 – 4 months without running. A typical motorcycle battery should last up to 48 months, or 4 years. Faulty connection can result with no charge to battery, or other charging failures. This is a defense mechanism engineered in order to prevent the cable from hitting a ground and causing a spark. This changes the AC wave to a direct (more controlled) voltage signal. 2. Car Recovery, Car Modify, Car Insurance. The terminals on a battery are the two small metal rods that stick out on either side on the top. Motorcycle batteries are much smaller, and a powerful charging current will damage them and can produce flammable gases. It’s possible for battery acid to develop on these terminals which means there’s a barrier between them and the cable that connects to the stator. Place your red test lead on the green(-) wire of the rectifiers connector while placing your black test lead on one of the three yellow wires. If I'm reading this correctly then the bike would never be running off a battery alone and one of the batteries would always be working with the charging system while riding the bike. You jump-start your motorcycle battery in almost the same way you charge a car battery, but you won't start the car, so the process will take 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll likely see a small dip in voltage running across the battery when the motorcycle is on it not running. Rchab Member. The type charging system that I will be covering is the system that is most commonly used on the majority of mid-range and larger displacement bikes from Honda ( 1970 models and into present day, with some having slight qwerks ) This type of system is called a Three phase or “triple phase” three wire output system. Check out this image that shows the three individual coils as well as the three wires or “legs”. Your local automotive shop is more than able to load test your battery for … Since the regulator is a sealed unit and uses complex internal components that are just too difficult to read with a simple meter, There are really only two variations of testing to ensure a proper diagnosis. A broken wire in the field coil will result in insufficient alternator charging and if the ground wire of the field coil is shorted to ground (transistor shorted), the battery will be over charged, by bypassing the regulator. If your bike produces less than that because of a tired charging system, the lithium battery will not charge, and it … The last reasons a battery drains while riding a motorcycle applies mostly to newer motorcycles. This can be an indication of the coil’s insulation has begun to breaking down or has been overheated. Checked the voltage at the battery while bike running, it reads whatever the battery charge is. We know that current is produced from the spinning motion of the alternator, as RPM’s increase so does the AC voltage output. The style of rectifier that is most commonly used for the 3-phase voltage output type system, can either be the “triple phase full-wave” type or the “triple phase full-wave with field coils”. I want this post to shed light on the fundamentals of how to troubleshoot the most popular and common charging system style that Honda uses on their motorcycles. The battery’s main role on a motorcycle is to get it started. There could be multiple reasons for something like this, but the likely reason it’s happening is due to the battery. When a motorcycle has a bad terminal connection, that means the battery cable either has a poor connection or isn’t connected at all. Charging Motorcycle Batteries A fully-charged 12-volt motorcycle battery should measure about 12.6 - 13.5 volts between terminals depending upon its chemistry. Rectifier – Converts/rectifies alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Unless you have additional electrical ad-ons, that’s basically all the battery does. The car or truck, if it is not running, is only going to send 12V. Note the reading at 1500rpm. The whole unit must be replaced as one. If the terminals seem to have a good connection, your next (and probably likely) reason your motorcycle battery drains while riding is because of a faulty stator. Load Test the Battery. Many of these motorcycle batteries will not take a charge after they have sat completely dead for a while. Be in the know on whether you actually need a new motorcycle battery or not. Connect the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal on the motorcycle battery and connect the negative (black) cable to the metal frame of the bike. While the engine is running, connect the voltmeter as before. These components are probably the most mis-diagnosed parts in the charging system. It just destroys them. The motorcycle battery charging system has multiple components. test your battery in the bike with it running with your meter, should be between 13.2 and 14.5 volts. Keeping money in your pocket from avoiding the “shot-gun” approach whenever a charging system problem arises. Now switch your meter leads and retest. Do this with all three of the yellow wires. The battery should be charging through the stator while it’s running, but if there’s a bad connection, your battery won’t be getting much of a charge. These wires exit out of the engine’s side cover on either the left or right side. • Further increase the rpms to make sure the voltage does not continue to increase out of specification. Thought stator was bad. If it drops below 12.4 volts DC or so, it’s shot. You may not notice your motorcycle battery is draining while you’re riding it until you go to start it up again for the next ride. Take a look at the expiration date of your battery; if it’s close, it may be time to get a new one. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, link to 3 Reasons A Motorcycle Battery Will Not Jump Start. With the battery located, you have two choices: i) attach the charger with the battery in the bike, or ii) remove the battery and charge it elsewhere. The relationship between your motorcycle battery and engine functions much in the same way as a car battery. Install a well charged battery and check your voltage at the battery terminals while the bike is running. If you are slow trickle-charging your motorcycle, then normally you can leave the battery hooked up while charging. To accomplish this switch, the rectifier is made up of diodes. The first and most obvious symptom is your motorcycle losing power and acting more sluggish as time goes on. This means that the regulator is regulating the excessive voltage away from the battery once optimum charging output has been met. No need to go running to a dealership to spend money. a good new battery properly maintained will last at least a few years. It’s a pain to pull a battery out of a bike. Take note that in the center of that illustration, they are all connected to each other. Battery not charging while running. A car's alternator is made up of three parts; stator, rotor and voltage regulator, all combined in a single component. Thought stator was bad. Keep in mind that this process is happening faster then you can see. If you own a motorcycle, chances are that you will eventually encounter a time when it will not start. Other features to look for. • Now rev the motorcycle’s rpms up to around 3,000rpms and hold. But as we’ve previously discussed, other underlying problems will manifest itself through the battery noticeably draining while riding the motorcycle. Good idea about having an extra battery for use around camp. The first reason a motorcycle battery may drain while riding could be due to a bad terminal connection. Why does a motorcycle battery drain while riding? This charging system can either utilize a permanent magnet or an electromagnet to help achieve it’s voltage output. Here’s how to diagnose, jump-start, and charge your motorcycle battery so you can get on your way. *Results: Since this wire needs a external signal. link to Can You Ride A Motorcycle With A Blown Head Gasket. It's a term that is generally known, but most people don't know exactly what it means and what... My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. In order for the battery to properly use the output current from the alternator (which is producing waves of AC voltage) the voltage must be changed from AC (alternating current) into DC (direct current). So if he were to just sit at a light at idle technically until his battery was low it could die and not start. Charging a motorcycle battery is not hard, but there are some things you can do to make sure you are successful. It’s even more frustrating when you’re out for a ride and notice you’re losing power and/or the battery is completely drained when you get home. Keep in mind that not all charging systems react in the same exact parameters that I’ve described. TESTING REGULATOR FUNCTION AT THE BATTERY. Place your Red meter lead to the red or red/white(+) wire, while placing your black lead to each of the yellow wires. But because your car battery is more powerful that your motorcycle battery, it's important to be careful when charging latter with the former. Avoid leaving the battery inside the bike while charging it, as this could damage to other components. If your battery is charging perfectly but your motorcycle still seems to keep killing the battery. The rectifier is bad and will need to be replaced. It powers up all kinds of lead-acid batteries, integrates an automatic mechanism for charging, and is safe to leave connected for a long time.Besides, it’s quite versatile feeding the steady current at 12V resulting in the 1.25Ah flow.. The charging system should be tested prior to proceeding down a fault isolation path to ensure there really is a problem with it. Either way, testing is pretty much the same. One other a major change to the early style regulators is that they where able to be serviced and fully adjustable. The bike dies while running. You’ll need to proceed with caution if you get a jump start from a car since there’s a risk of ruining the motorcycle battery. Change the regulator if this test fails. When you’re motorcycle is acting up, there are a few conclusions most motorcycle riders have. • Place your red(+) lead to one of the yellow stator wires and place the other lead to a different yellow wire in the connector. I’m currently working as a mechanical engineer and I’ve been able to restore over a dozen rides. If you have between 13.4-14.5 volts you are good to go. Electrical & Ignition. Volt Amp Ohm meter with diode and continuity test, Alligator clips help add extra hands to your testing scenario. If you want a fast charge with high current, then its best to remove the battery first. The car had the later 70 and up electronic ignition … Being a motorcycle owner, you should understand these types so that you’ll be able to maintain the battery in accordance with the manufacturer’s instr… If the voltage shown on the multimeter is less than 11 volts, your battery should be charged (13 to 13.6 volts is ideal). Ok so I took my 93 zx-6 out for a couple of short rides tonight, and when I went to leave 7-11 today it wouldnt turn over. Your battery may even be holding a charge, but it's the cold cranking amps that may determine if your battery needs replacement. Batteries can not store AC voltage. A 12 volt battery typically should rest at 12.7 volts DC or so. What is the problem with my new battery of 350cc bike which is not charging while running and often being dead? 3 Reasons A Motorcycle Battery Will Not Jump Start. • Set your multi-meter to the resistance (ohms Ω) setting. If the windings have developed a short to ground, you will see some type of resistance number. Aftermarket modifications or additional electrical add-ons could also cause a motorcycle battery to drain. This could be one of several things. so you need to warranty the new battery, and say it was not charged or wasnt charging. Almost all reg/rec’s now-a-days are combined into one sealed unit. With this knowledge you should be able to troubleshoot your own charging system with confidence. Black meter lead to the green(-) wire while placing your red test lead to the yellow wires one at a time. Be unplugged with no voltage running through it pull a battery are the two small rods. 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