Curvy not charging?
 

Got the bike out the garage Friday, click
Click. Dead battery, only been sitting for a month or so.

Was already late for Wales so after spending ages trying to bump it unsuccessfully I jumped it from the car.

Rode 25 miles, filled up. Started first time as I expected.

Rode another 60 miles or so and stopped at services for food. Come out and battery was dead.

Called RAC, waited ages, and he jumped it for me.

Rode another 140 miles, stopped for
Fuel. Won't start.

This carries on throughout the weekend. (still did sat/sun rideouts) and this theme continues.

So it seems battery is not being charged. If I switch lights on when it's idling it sometimes cuts out too. Even with nothing on, in neutral, the neutral light flickers as if not getting enough juice - it stays solid if revs are applied.

I'm armed with a multimeter and a battery charger - where do I start and what am I looking for?

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

Put the meter across the battery terminals on a setting of about 20V DC, start the engine, put the lights on high beam, rev the engine to about 5000rpm, read the voltage, what does it say? Ideally it will say exactly 14.7V.

The battery being unable start your engine after a month suggests it's not in the best of health and brand spanking new, but may well still be serviceable.

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

You need a trickle charger to charge it up first.Then you need to get it running and check the dc current across the battery terminals at 5000 rpm with the lights on.You can check it at lower revs and with the lights off too,but the main result you are looking for is 13.5 -15.5 volts at 5000rpm.

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

For the full chapter and verse, print out this pdf and away you go.

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

Thanks guys - will do it when I get a chance, although not likely to be this week!

Does it matter if I conduct these tests with a "manually" charged battery or not?

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

Nope.

But if it is at a very low state of charge the readings might be a bit low

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

Cool, in that case I will just rip the battery out and charge it overnight before doing these tests, so I can start the bike normally as opposed to the hassle of using oversized jump leads :)

Re: Curvy not charging?
 

Best way to get an accurate measurement.