Battery levels?

[ChristSFP]

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?

[tsnap]

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

[ChristSFP]

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

[tsnap]

I'm thinking you are good to go. :clap:

tom

[Laitch]

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.

[rbm]

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:

[Brad-Man]

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..

[ChristSFP]

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:

[Martin]

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.

[tsnap]

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

[The Mighty Gryphon]

WARNING!!!  Dumb question ahead...

...why didn't you walk the block to the bus stop instead of the mile to school?

[johnny]

me me me...

cause develops character...

j o

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Can't even spell chracketer...