Re: Battery not charging

Posted by sgtslag on May 10, 2013; 7:18pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/UPDATE-2-Battery-not-charging-tp4039420p4040617.html

With 11.3 Volts, at 5k RPM, your charging system is not functioning, and you are running off of the battery -- it likely won't start the bike at that voltage level.  Yes, it should read ~14 Volts at anything above 3k RPM.

Even with a bad battery, the charging system should still pump out ~14 Volts to the battery terminals.  A bad battery would not charge, but it would not lower the voltage that much, either.  Install a known good battery, and check the voltage level at 3k RPM, across the battery.  If the charging system is not working, it will read less than 12.7 Volts.

An AGM battery is the best, if you can afford it:  won't discharge during winter storage, no need to remove it; sealed, no maintenance required; can last 2+ times as long as a flooded cell (standard) battery; usually has more CCA for starting; less damaged by deep cycling, but don't try it...

Also, a volt-meter installed on the bike, is a very good idea.  Here is a very affordable unit type (can be purchased anywhere, this is just an example):  Amazon voltage monitor.  A fuse-protected, accessory outlet/cigarette lighter plug is a very nice accessory on any bike, useful for charging your cell phone, or powering a GPS, when riding.  It will also serve to power this charging system monitor (glance at it, occasionally, when riding, to make certain the charging system is working properly, and you most likely won't get stranded again).  Cheers!