how do I see if my battery is OK?

[mikeyjudkins]

I have this battery tester. Bike is an R6. I forget what setting I turn it to and what the healthy range should read.

See pic:

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/104/543/1516899-tester.jpg

[elskipador]

20 DCv and it should read between 12.5 and 13.5 when charged

[bsd43]

So you have a multimeter.

Simple test (but not comprehensive):
Turn it to 20 DC V on the left side.
Stick red to positive, black to negative.
At rest after being fully charged, the battery should read somewhere around 12.6 volts.

Turn the bike on (neutral!), while revving to 4000 rpm-ish, it should read somewhere around 14 volts. Any higher, and you might have a fubar'ed rectifier/regulator. Any lower, and your battery isn't charging.

Not comprehensive, cuz some batteries won't hold a charge but still read 12.6-ish.

[mikeyjudkins]

thanks for the quick responses!

[bsd43]

No problem... Cures the boredom during NFL commercials... :teeth

[mikeyjudkins]

just checked it. I guess 3.60 would mean, its a dead battery? I think I accidentally left the start switch to on (it has an ignition bypass since its a race setup)

Should I buy a new batt, or get one of those battery tenders and try to recharge the one in there now?

[bsd43]

Yeah, recharge it soon -- batteries don't like being dead for too long. If it still doesn't charge, yeah, new battery time.

[fawndog]

Charge it, see if it holds 12.0+, then load test.

[afm199]

All the above and remember it almost certainly fukd. Once they go that low they usually , in my experience, won't last long. Plus, if you are running total loss, the electronic ignitions don't like low voltage. I had a race bike quit running, total loss, at just under 12 volts.

Dont be a cheapskate, get a new one.

[VTRweasel]

I just got a charger at CG for 32 bux, you can borrow it this weekend if your in the area.

Speaking of RR's how do you test those?

I bought a new battery 2-months ago and it got so low after sitting for just a week that my bike wouldn't start.

but i'm thinking that's strange for a 2-month old battery :confused

[assnelbo]

Originally posted by VTRweasel
I just got a charger at CG for 32 bux, you can borrow it this weekend if your in the area.

Speaking of RR's how do you test those?

I bought a new battery 2-months ago and it got so low after sitting for just a week that my bike wouldn't start.

but i'm thinking that's strange for a 2-month old battery :confused

Rev the engine to about 2-3K with a voltmeter on the battery terminals. You should see ~13.5-~15.5V. If you see something like 17 or 18, then you are probably frying your battery (RR is no good). If you see something really low, test the resistance of your stator. If the battery requires water, be sure to only use distilled water...

Also, you might check for a short that may be slowly draining your battery while the bike is sitting.

[VTRweasel]

thanks ass :thumbup

ok, I just wasted 15 minutes looking for a voltmeter,

any recomendations?
I distribute for Fluke but the stuff I found is pretty highend

[nathan]

VTRweasel, here is a good test for your regulator.

http://www.cbrworld.net/articles/Articles_detail.asp?IDArticle=104&ArticleType=2

[assnelbo]

Originally posted by VTRweasel
thanks ass :thumbup

ok, I just wasted 15 minutes looking for a voltmeter,

any recomendations?
I distribute for Fluke but the stuff I found is pretty highend

If you don't need it for anything except this, go scrounge a $5-$10 digital meter. I don't know where you might find this deal for sure, but check places like Kragen, WalMart, etc... My dad just scored me one for like $5, I can ask where he got it, but he's not local, so any money you saved on the meter you would most likely make up in gas.

[VTRweasel]

kewl, thx