did i kill my charging system letting cells get low?

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  • Mad Mark

    #1

    did i kill my charging system letting cells get low?

    a few weeks ago my my bike died out of no where after running fine. i was leaving a light and letting out the clutch the bike died instantly. then was totally dead.

    two cells on the battery where half empty, so i put a new one in and only after about two rides or a couple hours it did the same thing.

    so did i ruin my charging system with a battery with low cells?

    i looked at the stator papers and everything, just wondering if the battery was why. not looking forward to diagnosing this, i hate electrical stuff.

    thanks for any help.
  • Agemax
    Forum Guru
    • Apr 2008
    • 8371
    • plymouth uk

    #2
    it could be that the charging system killed the battery. if it is overcharging it will boil the battery dry. you need to check the charging voltage at the battery.
    1978 GS1085.

    Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

    Comment

    • Mad Mark

      #3
      the second time it happened with the new battery, i felt it and it was cold. but yeah i got to check the charging at idle and at 5000 rpm.

      oh and on the stator papers it says to check everything with the lights off. i cant turn the lights off on my bike, should i disconnect them?

      Comment

      • Agemax
        Forum Guru
        • Apr 2008
        • 8371
        • plymouth uk

        #4
        did you check the voltage in the new battery after the bike died again?
        i'm no electrical wizard but maybe the charging system did lunch itself after trying to charge the original fried battery?
        just a guess..........
        1978 GS1085.

        Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

        Comment

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

          #5
          Originally posted by Mad Mark
          ....

          oh and on the stator papers it says to check everything with the lights off. i cant turn the lights off on my bike, should i disconnect them?
          No,leave them on, just check voltage at idle and then at 5k- your R/R might have failed . Anything above 15 volts is trouble.
          1981 gs650L

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

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          • Guest

            #6
            Originally posted by Mad Mark
            the second time it happened with the new battery, i felt it and it was cold. but yeah i got to check the charging at idle and at 5000 rpm.

            oh and on the stator papers it says to check everything with the lights off. i cant turn the lights off on my bike, should i disconnect them?
            Purchase a good multi meter, sit down and go over the stator papers. Once you are familiar with them, start your tests. write everything down. Though remember you have to have a good battery at a full charge. This was one of those "whens" not "ifs" thing you were gonna have to do eventually. Might as well dive head first into it.

            Comment

            • old_skool

              #7
              Every bike should have a 12 volt meter installed, especially these old bikes with flaky charging systems. One of the best upgrades to my bike ever.

              Comment

              • barnbiketom

                #8
                EBAY 5 bucks with FREE shipping

                I found this on ebay ..less than 5 bucks including shipping.

                dunno how those little chinese guys do it but it works great!!!

                Comment

                • Guest

                  #9
                  Originally posted by barnbiketom
                  I found this on ebay ..less than 5 bucks including shipping.

                  dunno how those little chinese guys do it but it works great!!!

                  Interesting...I like that.

                  Comment

                  • koolaid_kid

                    #10
                    They are actually quite nice, accurate also.

                    Comment

                    • Redman
                      Forum LongTimer
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • Mar 2004
                      • 13717
                      • Michigan, west Michigan

                      #11
                      MM,

                      No, cells low on fliud will not damage charging system.

                      Most of what I have to say is similar to what said byy others.

                      Most likely you didn't let cell level go low, especially when it happened again in a few days. Most liklfey the charging system did that by overcharging. Yes, you need to get meter and check voltage at mid rpms.

                      Do you know if you have stock type 5 wire rectiifyer/rregulaytor? Or fdfo you have Honda type 6 wire that has a sence wire?

                      If cells
                      Low probally not need new battery if low for only a while. Just need to refill with distilled water.


                      ((This 7 inch tablet is miserable to work with)



                      .
                      Last edited by Redman; 01-03-2013, 09:46 PM.
                      http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
                      Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
                      GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


                      https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

                      Comment

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

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Redman
                        ((This 7 inch tablet is miserable to work with)
                        All the more reason to use the "Preview Post" button before using the "Submit Reply" button.

                        .
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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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                        • tkent02
                          Forum LongTimer
                          Past Site Supporter
                          • Jan 2006
                          • 35571
                          • Near South Park

                          #13
                          I found a bunch of meters for $2 each a month ago, they work fine.
                          http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                          Life is too short to ride an L.

                          Comment

                          • bbjumper

                            #14
                            Originally posted by tkent02
                            I found a bunch of meters for $2 each a month ago, they work fine.
                            I want one, where did you find yours?

                            Thanks

                            Comment

                            • 2BRacing
                              Forum Mentor
                              • Jan 2009
                              • 796
                              • Onrus, near Hermanus, South Africa

                              #15
                              Originally posted by barnbiketom
                              I found this on ebay ..less than 5 bucks including shipping.

                              dunno how those little chinese guys do it but it works great!!!

                              Would you mind posting the link please? Thanks!
                              1981 GS850G "Blue Magic" (Bike Of The Month April 2009)

                              1981 GS1000G "Leo" (Bike Of The Month August 2023)

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