rshutchinson
XS400 Addict
Sorry for the long post in advance but want to give as much info as possible.
I've gone through 3 brand new sealed AGM batteries now and they don't last more than 40 minutes of riding. Just idling doesn't seem to have any negative impact on the battery though. It's not until I actually take the bike out for a long enough drive that it fails. They exhibit all the symptoms of a dead cell. 12.6 volts when key off, drops down to 2.4 volts with key on. Only load is the led brake light when its not running and key on.
The only thing going is the battery. It's not blowing anything else, fuses or otherwise. I thought after the second one that perhaps it was vibrations so I added rubber feet and a strap to hold the battery down.
It's a sealed battery but is supposed to have vents for overheating and whatnot. However, I don't smell any acid and there is no acid spilling out that I can see nor is the battery hot when I touch it nor any swelling or bows in the plastic.
The bike at idle charges at 13.5v with headlight on, 14.5v headlight off and never seems go above that when revving it up. I haven't left a multimeter on when riding as I don't have a good way to attach it but I'm going to order a small one to monitor it.
My wife rode the bike home today and when I was following in the car I knew it was going as when she came to a stop and the bike came to idle the rear brake light was flickering and got brighter with revs. Next stop sign the bike died when it came to a stop. I was able to kick it back over to start it and told her to keep the revs up when stopping to get home.
I'm assuming the bike is overcharging somehow after riding for a while but I'm not sure. I'll have to get yet another new battery and a new reg/rec combo.
The regulator is the only piece I can't test.
Before I fry another battery is there anything else you can think of that would be causing this? Anything I can double check? I believe I have everything wired right as it all seems to work.
This is really the last gremlin with the bike that is giving me grief.
Thanks guys!
I've gone through 3 brand new sealed AGM batteries now and they don't last more than 40 minutes of riding. Just idling doesn't seem to have any negative impact on the battery though. It's not until I actually take the bike out for a long enough drive that it fails. They exhibit all the symptoms of a dead cell. 12.6 volts when key off, drops down to 2.4 volts with key on. Only load is the led brake light when its not running and key on.
The only thing going is the battery. It's not blowing anything else, fuses or otherwise. I thought after the second one that perhaps it was vibrations so I added rubber feet and a strap to hold the battery down.
It's a sealed battery but is supposed to have vents for overheating and whatnot. However, I don't smell any acid and there is no acid spilling out that I can see nor is the battery hot when I touch it nor any swelling or bows in the plastic.
The bike at idle charges at 13.5v with headlight on, 14.5v headlight off and never seems go above that when revving it up. I haven't left a multimeter on when riding as I don't have a good way to attach it but I'm going to order a small one to monitor it.
My wife rode the bike home today and when I was following in the car I knew it was going as when she came to a stop and the bike came to idle the rear brake light was flickering and got brighter with revs. Next stop sign the bike died when it came to a stop. I was able to kick it back over to start it and told her to keep the revs up when stopping to get home.
I'm assuming the bike is overcharging somehow after riding for a while but I'm not sure. I'll have to get yet another new battery and a new reg/rec combo.
The regulator is the only piece I can't test.
Before I fry another battery is there anything else you can think of that would be causing this? Anything I can double check? I believe I have everything wired right as it all seems to work.
This is really the last gremlin with the bike that is giving me grief.
Thanks guys!