Battery failure

Anything Electrical
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Battery failure

Post by Pensioner »

I was going out on the xt today for the first time after some work turned the key ............No lights nothing voltmeter across it 4.5 V anyone know why it would loose all power like that? No short circuit or open circuit.
I have it on an Optimate to get some life in it maybe, so it looks like a new odyessy box of volts on the way.
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Re: Battery failure

Post by scottieh »

I’ve experienced my fair share of regulator/rectifier failures in my years running kickstart XT’s. Both OEM and aftermarket. Check your DC voltage output from the reg/rect while unplugged from the battery. Should be up in the 13 volt range.
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Re: Battery failure

Post by gobo »

I will not help with your particular issue but will suggest to install a simple voltmeter. It will allow you to monitor the charging voltage and identify the problem before the battery is empty.
Me too, I learned the lesson the hard way :shades:

Below is my setup with a cheap e-bay voltmeter
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Re: Battery failure

Post by Mezo »

gobo wrote: Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:42 pm I will not help with your particular issue but will suggest to install a simple voltmeter. It will allow you to monitor the charging voltage and identify the problem before the battery is empty.
Below is my setup with a cheap e-bay voltmeter
That is a cool little meter & fits on the 3AJ perfectly. :star:

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Re: Battery failure

Post by Pensioner »

I charged the battery over night Tues/Wed the bike started so i've left it overnight last night to see if it's holding a charge, in my experience once a battery dies like that time for a new one it's a Motobat i had one on my GS did exactly the same replaced with an Odyessy so a pc 310 being delivered today.
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Re: Battery failure

Post by dzl »

Yes once a lead/ acid battery has been left flat for a length of time it will be damaged/ have reduced capacity/ harder to recharge due to sulfide build up on the plates which happens when flat. I would give your voltage regulator a check over before putting in new battery may have a faulty diode causing current leakage when engine turned off. Google 3 phase voltage regulator check and of course make sure battery charge voltage at least in the high 13V range when revving engine.
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Re: Battery failure

Post by Pensioner »

Just put a volt meter across 12.6 v so i think the rectifier is ok but the odyessy battery is going on once i get the grandkids back home Saturday :wave:
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Re: Battery failure

Post by Mezo »

Pensioner wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:33 pm Just put a volt meter across 12.6 v so i think the rectifier is ok
Is this your charging voltage with the engine running/revving? with your lights on (loaded) and revving at 2000 ish RPM you should be reading high 13`s.

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BMW 1200 GS ( big comfortable mile muncher)
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Re: Battery failure

Post by Pensioner »

That was the voltage on the battery after being charged and left overnight.
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Re: Battery failure

Post by jibber »

You may want to check what it reads while engine running etc, an overcharge will kill a battery as well as under (before you stick a new one on).
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