Flat New Battery

[mick28799]

Hi All, would like confirmation / comments.
The new battery i have purchaced keeps going flat so i thought to look deeper:
1. Charged fully again and did current leakage test, result is 0.1mA (this is max so presume ok)
2. Started motor to do output test, warmed enging to opp temp, meter across battery terminals, raised to 5000 rpm, result not within specified range (13.5 - 15.5v) only showing 13.4v as what the battery was reading on the bench (rectifyer?) its not all that old and is NOT a honda one (R1 i beleive)
3. Alternator check, located plug under seat unit connecting the three yellow wires, my meter only goes down to 200 ohms (it a cheap one, [must invest] book says select x1 homes scale) on the 200 setting all wires give a 0.8 reading totaling 2.4. continuity check of wires failed as it showed reading between 2 of the wires and earth.

From the above would you come to the conclusion that i have that the Alternator is shafted

Mick Whitehouse
2000 standard VTR1000

[Stratman]

Possibly - I had similar after my rectifier failed and I replaced the stator with the one from my spare engine.

[Phimosis]

I can answer the first question, the output from the rectifier seems ok, mine reads 13.8 with engine running, yours is a bit low but ok, this may be due to the crappy meter your words...Id say keep an eye on it but 13.4 is enough to keep the battery charged, do you use hot grips, sat nav, back massaging pad???..these will not help a small battery keep its charge and also are you doing small trips as the battery may not recover enough from the starting effort if you arent running it for at least 5/10 miles.

[mick28799]

Dont run any hot grips, sat nav or any type back massaging pad nor anything else only thing extra fitted from standard is an indicator bleeper, thing is been ill for a bit and not been abel to ride my baby, but start every day and polish.
going to get battery fully charged and borow mates meter (he is a spark and it read everything) soi can get accurate readings

Mick28799 2000w reg standard vtr1000

[AMCQ46]

starting the bike everyday is not a good idea if you dont run it long enough to:
a) recharge the battery
b) get hot enough to dry out the condensation that occurs when cold air meets hot engine parts
c) coat the bores with oil as the full choke rich mixture will try and wash the oil off.

When I store my bike I just lift the wheels off the ground, full tank of fuel, replace the oil so there is no moisture and corrosive chemicals in it and put battery on charge...........and I dont touch it till it is time to ride. I have left it sat for a yr like that with no problems

[Stratman]

If the continuity check has failed then there is a fault in the system and whether he starts it every day or not is unlikely to make a difference (thoug I do agree that this is not a good idea for all the reasons given)

I used this FAULT FINDING CHART to diagnose mine and if he has the fault described then it is a faulty stator IMHO. This chart also shows how to check the R/R, though it appears to be putting out the right voltage. Sounds like the new battery is discharging to earth but if the new battery was required as the R/R damaged it, it could be worth checking that too.

I bought a cheap MultiMeter for £4.99 specifically to do this checking having never used one before and found the flowchart easy to use and very helpful.

[mick28799]

Thanks for the flow chart stratman , will run through as soon as battery is fully charged and i have my mates meter in hand
mick28799