What is a good charge?

[Tisunac]

-1999 2nd gen Venture with 36K miles-

 

The story is much longer but I'll try to make it shorter - I had a problem with charging system (bike stalling and eventually dying after being ridden for a while), battery checked out fine, stator output was apparently fine (around 21) so we replaced a voltage regulator/rectifier (used a new OEM part). "We" is my brother-in-law since I'm not handy at all (please go easy on me with suggestions), my job is to hand him tools and open a beer(s).

Couple of questions - now the charge is from 13.47 to 13.51 while riding, and around 13.15 while idling. Is that enough? While riding, the charge is pretty constant - low rew or high rew, it's around 13.5.... Would I benefit by upgrading to an aftermarket, stronger stator? Would that keep the charge over 14 (but of course, under 14.5) with a few additional lights?

If I take the light fuse out (kills all lights) the charge goes just over 14 immediately, and that's while idling (did not try riding without lights).

Also, do I NEED to keep the bike on a trickle charger or...? I did add some lights but they are all LED's. My running lights (had them forever) are still halogen, though...

 

Any and all opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated, guys. Thank you in advance.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Tisunac

[utadventure]

A good battery will sit with 12.6 volts. That will diminish over time but not quickly without an external drain.

 

A charge of 13.5 while driving is good and sufficient to maintain the battery charge. Looks like you're in great shape to ride!! Your numbers are consistent with my '99.

 

The Venture typically has a low voltage output at idle.

 

Dave

[Tisunac]

Thank you, that's a very good news!... What about upgrading to a stronger stator? And do I want to keep the bike on the charger nightly or not?

[MiCarl]

The voltages you describe indicate the regulator rectifier is controlling it. Upgrading the stator won't affect that.

 

Your voltages are consistent with what others see.

[Tisunac]

Good. Thank you guys. I've read everywhere that the "normal", desirable reading is 13.5-14.5 so by that I would be on a very low end of it. And that's while riding, on idling it was around 13.1-13.2. Very good.....

 

Still, any opinions about keeping the bike on a trickle charger nightly? And would I benefit at all by upgrading the stator? It is 1999 Venture with 36K miles on it. I have running lights (halogen), under-the-trunk light, Harley license plate mounted stop lights (all LED), front wheel marking orange LED lights (always on), WOLO horn, GPS with mp3 player hooked to aux, headlight modulator,...that's about it for stuff that need power.

 

Thanks again for your time.

[Flyinfool]

You should not have to keep the bike on a trickle charger.

A trickle charger will damage your battery over time.

If anything, you want to get a battery maintainer, but that is only needed for long term storage.

 

My bike can sit for 3 months at a time in sub zero temps, buried in snow, and still start fine. If yours can not, then you have something hooked up that is drawing power even when the bike is shut off, or you have a weak battery. Most battery stores will load test your battery for free.

 

As far as getting a HO stator, IF you do get a HO stator then you also need to get a HO regulator / rectifier to go with it. From what I have read, the HO parts, especially the stator, do not last as long as OEM.

 

Now if I could just find someone that would make a RR with a switching type regulator, then we would have a near bullet proof charging system. Expensive and big, but would be great.

[Tisunac]

Thank you. Yea, so far I did not use my trickle charger ever, and the bike would start every time. I have a gel battery from Battery Plus, they checked it after I was experiencing some problems and it checked out just fine. Since I know a few guys that keep their bikes on a charger ALL THE TIME I thought that I am missing on something. So thank you for pointing that out - I will still keep it in the shed with no charger on it.

 

Yea, I did replace my old rectifier with a new one and I believe that took care of the problem. I used an OEM new one after reading about problems people experiencing with some aftermarket (cheap) rectifiers. Did not know that you have to have different rectifier if you upgrade to a stronger stator. In that case, I'll stick with the OEM stuff for now.

 

I replaced the rectifier last night and rode just around the neighborhood for less than 10 miles. I will ride more and see how the bike perform and did I get read of a stalling issue.

 

I'm very glad that charging 13.5 while riding is enough. Appreciate y'all input, guys.

[syscrusher]

The battery tender is supposed to only add a topping off charge if the battery voltage drops below a threshold which is different from a trickle charger that charges constantly. Battery Tender is a brand name but there are several other "maintainer" types. I have read stories of people drastically weakening their batteries by using a tender or maintainer. It may even have happened to me since I had a battery in my DR650 dual sport that got weak much quicker than I expected. I used to leave a "Battery Tender Jr." on it for days at a time sometimes.