Voltage

[Guest]

First: 1981 GS850G, Rick's Stator, Shindegan (sp??) R/R.


OK. My forward mounted voltage meter says I usually run at 13.3-13.5 volts. That's with all my running lights & headlight on. Theae are all LEDs including a LED headlight (25 watts-ADV Monster)
Today I went out to see how the system was doing with both my heated grips(c. 24 watts) & Aerostich Kenatsu vest(c. 42 watts) running simultaneously.

With both on I was showing 12.8-12.9 volts. With just the grips I had 13.1 & with just the vest I read 13.0.

Now my Kuryakan LED charging indicator was still in the green at all times unless I hit the brakes, turn signals or air horn. So that's just a momentary drop.

Is 12.8 getting too low for any reason. Don't want to screw up anything electrically. I know testing the voltage right at the battery gets me about 0.5 volts higher readings than the fairing mouunted meter reads.

I doubt I will ride much in any weather below freezing anymore and the rides, if any, would be very short. Not the man I never was anyway at 74. I found I was very comfortable at 38 degrees by switching back and forth from grips to vest in which case I didn't drop below 13.0 volts.

Thanks for any advice & stay safe.

DH

 

[Grimly]

It's pretty marginal with the power-sappers on, just have to keep an eye on the overall state, but with just one headlight on, I'd expect a charge state of 14V+, and a minimum of 13.5V. I'm assuming the reg/rec is an SH-775?

 

[hank2]

I would also think that you are running at or below the ragged edge in available amperage. Not sure what GS850G charging system max output is with or without the Rick's stator. I've read of other GS models having from 210 to 250 watt max outputs. You sure freed up some draw with the LED lights, but I believe you are wise to only use only the grips or the vest at once and neither continually. As Grimly stated, about 13.5v is considered minimal to maintain the battery. Perhaps not even enough to actually gain much battery charge after a heavy drain like a start. It seems like you should be doing a little better with only one or the other on. Maybe an issue with the R/R or?

 

[Gorminrider]

you said the battery voltage is 0.5 higher than the voltage meter. Does that mean the charging voltage tested at the battery is 12.9+0.5 with all the heaters on?

IF so,13.4 with all the heaters is ok...but do one day check your battery BEFORE you turn the key before a ride. It should be resting at 12.5 or above. A good precaution in your situation, with accessories working the system hard , is to charge the battery at home once a month or so with a plugin battery charger for 12-24 hours. This will bring it up to 14.2 to 14.8 while charging-just to shake off any deposits on the plates that the bike's charging isn't....These batteries are small with delicate fine grids to supply starting demands., so they are very vulnerable to sulfate deposits warping them.

curious-WHAT is charging voltage at battery without the heating (grips and vest disconnected). The original headlamp drew about 55-65 watts. The leds are supposed to reduce this. Do you have an ammeter or are you reading specs off the packaging?

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for replies. I am swamped at this moment with a number of issues and cannot reply or try to verify all you have offered.

Will say I keep the battery on a Battery Tender JR. 24/7 unless out riding. I will also try to test voltage numbers directly at the battery next chance I get. I am sure the voltage numbers at that point will be a bit higher than the readings from a hot lead in my fairing that the 2 voltage meters are tied in to.

Will get back to this thread as soon as I get a chance.

Be safe out there & thanks again, Gave me good ideas.

DH

 

[Guest]

One other thing to keep in mind: Not all voltmeters read the same.

I have ordered voltmeters for various projects. Sometimes I have ordered 5 or 6 in the same batch. Tested them all against my calibrated Fluke meter. NONE of them matched the Fluke, only a couple of them agreed with each other. Yeah, the difference was only a couple of tenths, but when you are diagnosing a potential problem, those couple of tenths can be important.

 

[Guest]

Well just to make life more or less interesting depending on point of view. Several days after I got last reply, I went out & the voltage meter was reading 14.0v, I thought the Headlite bulb had burnt out or something. Nope just fine. I just haven't gotten to testing voltage at the battery but know it would be higher as the meter is hooked up into a hot lead in the fairing and usually voltage is lower there. WIll do a test as soon as I get everything I have to do done, possibly in the year 2525 as the song goes.

Letcha know,

DH

 

[Gorminrider]

but know it would be higher as the meter is hooked up into a hot lead in the fairing and usually voltage is lower there

Yes- it's commonly lower up there and 1/2 volt not crucial.
Battery is a selfish brute and only cares about itself so if worried about battery, test V at battery.