Battery Health?

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  • Nessism
    Forum LongTimer
    GSResource Superstar
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Mar 2006
    • 35787
    • Torrance, CA

    #1

    Battery Health?

    So what is a good no-load battery voltage for a typical lead/acid GS battery? Mine is putting out about 12.5 volts with a fresh charge (not surface charge) and when turning on the ignition key (head lamp on, etc) the voltage drops to about 11.8 volts. Tested the battery using one of those low tech float ball battery testers and it says the battery is fine but I'm not so sure.
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

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  • chuck hahn
    Forum LongTimer
    Past Site Supporter
    • May 2009
    • 25918
    • Norman, Oklahoma

    #2
    sound like its in a normal range seeing that the headlight and all is now energised. What does it drop to while you crank it?
    MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
    1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

    NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


    I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

    Comment

    • Steve
      GS Whisperer
      • Jun 2005
      • 35924
      • southwest oHIo

      #3
      Sounds a little low when the key is on, but not that bad.

      As Chuck asked, what's the voltage while cranking? You don't want it dropping lower than 10.

      .
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      mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
      hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
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      #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
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      Comment

      • posplayr
        Forum LongTimer
        GSResource Superstar
        Past Site Supporter
        • Dec 2007
        • 23673
        • Tucson Az

        #4
        Sounds low if right off the charger

        Would not pass the Quick_Test
        Last edited by posplayr; 01-26-2011, 11:58 AM.

        Comment

        • tom203
          Forum Guru
          Past Site Supporter
          • Aug 2010
          • 8925
          • Norway,Maine

          #5
          Originally posted by Nessism
          So what is a good no-load battery voltage for a typical lead/acid GS battery? Mine is putting out about 12.5 volts with a fresh charge (not surface charge) and when turning on the ignition key (head lamp on, etc) the voltage drops to about 11.8 volts. Tested the battery using one of those low tech float ball battery testers and it says the battery is fine but I'm not so sure.
          Sounds like my dying battery! off charger maybe 12.5 in ten minutes-too low- and drops to below 12 with ignition on,even with headlight off. Time for AGM battery.
          1981 gs650L

          "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

          Comment

          • Nessism
            Forum LongTimer
            GSResource Superstar
            Past Site Supporter
            Super Site Supporter
            • Mar 2006
            • 35787
            • Torrance, CA

            #6
            Originally posted by tom203
            Sounds like my dying battery! off charger maybe 12.5 in ten minutes-too low- and drops to below 12 with ignition on,even with headlight off. Time for AGM battery.
            Yea, I ordered one from motobatt. Supposed to have good reviews and $65 shipped.
            Ed

            To measure is to know.

            Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

            Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

            Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

            KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

            Comment

            • 1948man
              Forum Sage
              Past Site Supporter
              • May 2009
              • 4660
              • Florida

              #7
              Where'd you order from? Direct from Motobatt?
              1983 GS 1100 Guided Laser
              1983 GS 1100 G
              2000 Suzuki Intruder 1500, "Piggy Sue"
              2000 GSF 1200 Bandit (totaled in deer strike)
              1986 Suzuki Cavalcade GV 1400 LX (SOLD)

              I find working on my motorcycle mildly therapeutic when I'm not cursing.

              Comment

              • Nessism
                Forum LongTimer
                GSResource Superstar
                Past Site Supporter
                Super Site Supporter
                • Mar 2006
                • 35787
                • Torrance, CA

                #8
                Originally posted by 1948man
                Where'd you order from? Direct from Motobatt?
                Got it from an ebay seller. They have more of the same model... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
                Ed

                To measure is to know.

                Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                Comment

                • salty_monk
                  Forum LongTimer
                  GSResource Superstar
                  Past Site Supporter
                  Super Site Supporter
                  • Oct 2006
                  • 14001
                  • London, UK to Redondo Beach, California

                  #9
                  I've had good results with the Scorpion batteries from Battery Stuff. About $60 shipped.

                  Ed - Can I have your old one to power my 12v impact driver in the garage? (The old one I have their struggles to hold 12v on a fresh charge so yours would be an upgrade!)

                  Dan
                  1980 GS1000G - Sold
                  1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                  1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                  1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                  2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                  1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                  2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

                  www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                  TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

                  Comment

                  • 1948man
                    Forum Sage
                    Past Site Supporter
                    • May 2009
                    • 4660
                    • Florida

                    #10
                    Thanks for the link.
                    1983 GS 1100 Guided Laser
                    1983 GS 1100 G
                    2000 Suzuki Intruder 1500, "Piggy Sue"
                    2000 GSF 1200 Bandit (totaled in deer strike)
                    1986 Suzuki Cavalcade GV 1400 LX (SOLD)

                    I find working on my motorcycle mildly therapeutic when I'm not cursing.

                    Comment

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