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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: ChristSFP on March 11, 2016, 07:52:17 AM

Title: Battery levels?
Post by: ChristSFP on March 11, 2016, 07:52:17 AM
First off, thanks for all the help so far!

Now on to the question,

So my build is almost completed (hopefully) but since I dont have the charge light on my bike anymore.. Iīm abit afraid that the batteru isnīt charging..

To the maiden trip today.
The bike read 12,43V (with engine off) before I started it up and left for my ca 20km ride..

Got back home.
13,14V with engine off.
11,96V with engine on.


Question is.. Am I good to go? Or is there anything else I can check to see if the battery is actually charging?

Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: tsnap on March 11, 2016, 08:42:07 AM
Is the light system on at rest, and while running, or do you manually turn them on?  what about other acessories, stereo, gps, seat/grip heat?

if none of these, sounds like it might be ok if all connections and wiring are good.  I would put a little needle type ammeter/voltmeter somewhere in the circuit, at least for the next ride.

An  indication is if the headlight dims at idle and increases significantly at increased RPM.

tom

Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: ChristSFP on March 11, 2016, 08:47:19 AM
Dont understand the light question.. I usually keep the light switch in the same position even if bike is running/not running?
Nothing is kept on the bike.. LED around all turnsignals plus taillight.. no heat anywhere.. no extra weight ;)

A amp meter is a good idea =) Might be worth the extra weight it puts on ;)

No dimming on lights except some small dip when the ignition strikes but thatīs common I guess.. has the same on my Harley
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: tsnap on March 11, 2016, 09:52:46 AM
I'm thinking you are good to go. :clap:

tom
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: Laitch on March 11, 2016, 10:07:45 AM
A amp meter is a good idea =) Might be worth the extra weight it puts on ;)
Do it! Having it may prevent your letting the battery discharge to an extent that leaves you stalled along the highway during rush hour with a burned-out starter relay.
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: rbm on March 12, 2016, 01:08:30 AM
So my build is almost completed (hopefully) but since I dont have the charge light on my bike anymore.. Iīm abit afraid that the batteru isnīt charging..
Did you replace the charge light with a pair of 56 Ohm resistors attached to the blue wire leading to the alternator?  If not, your alternator is probably not operating.  Schematic of the connection:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dOir2iOqpu8/Vi7BiYRLlUI/AAAAAAAAGdA/e13xxNwJ4iMyOgwkRJ4LR3L3uxygKNDBACCo/s640-Ic42/CCI26102015.png)
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: Brad-Man on March 12, 2016, 07:40:52 AM
I believe that a voltmeter would be a better choice for everyday use.

An ammeter will show the rate the battery is charging or discharging.

A voltmeter will tell you what voltage is present.

A voltmeter will give you indication of a bad battery/dead cell -  an ammeter won't.

Note this applies to vehicles w/alternators.  I honestly don't know if an a meter is better than a voltmeter for vehicles w/generators...

No modern carmaker puts an ammeter in their cars.

Probably because of fire hazard and the weight/gauge of wire needed - the beancounters had a win-win.

JMHO..
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: ChristSFP on March 13, 2016, 07:20:03 AM

Hi, yes I have a resistor installed, not a pair though. Found one that seems to work

 
So my build is almost completed (hopefully) but since I dont have the charge light on my bike anymore.. Iīm abit afraid that the batteru isnīt charging..
Did you replace the charge light with a pair of 56 Ohm resistors attached to the blue wire leading to the alternator?  If not, your alternator is probably not operating.  Schematic of the connection:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dOir2iOqpu8/Vi7BiYRLlUI/AAAAAAAAGdA/e13xxNwJ4iMyOgwkRJ4LR3L3uxygKNDBACCo/s640-Ic42/CCI26102015.png)
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: Martin on March 13, 2016, 01:31:45 PM
If you have a multimeter you can temporarily wire it up, and tape it or cable tie it to a place where you can see it easily. You can then go for a ride and see what it is doing. I have done this numerous times with cars and bikes.
Regards Martin.
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: tsnap on March 13, 2016, 03:49:46 PM
I was going to suggest Martins tactic, but I didnt want to show how redneck shadetree I really am.  I save that stuff for when everyone has tried their methods, and then I come up with something that works.

When I was a kid, I had nearly no tools.  Used to remove vw rear axle nuts with vicegrips or a pipewrench (Stilson) (back when they could take a beating) and a 4 foot cheater bar.  Learned a lot of ways to get by without.

Built my first "motorbike" with a horizontal shaft engine and angle iron.  Had to hide the contraption, and the mower, and reverse it when Dad asked when I was going to mow the lawn.

and we lived on the last block before the bus would pick you up, so I walked over a mile to school.  Develops character, which I am!  LOL

tom

Now, with tools, I actually love to spend time wrenching.


tom :lets-eat:
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on March 13, 2016, 08:26:55 PM
WARNING!!!  Dumb question ahead...

...why didn't you walk the block to the bus stop instead of the mile to school?
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: johnny on March 13, 2016, 09:01:10 PM
me me me...

cause develops character...

j o
Title: Re: Battery levels?
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on March 13, 2016, 09:10:11 PM
Can't even spell chracketer...