Curvy not charging? - SV650.org

08-10-12, 07:56 PM

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?

Sid Squid · 08-10-12, 08:05 PM

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.

Biker Biggles · 08-10-12, 08:09 PM

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.

embee · 08-10-12, 08:34 PM

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

09-10-12, 09:16 AM

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

16-10-12, 12:35 PM

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

yorkie_chris · 16-10-12, 02:00 PM

Nope.

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

16-10-12, 02:03 PM

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

yorkie_chris · 16-10-12, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hongman

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

Best way to get an accurate measurement.

08-10-12, 07:56 PM	#1
hongman Guest Posts: n/a	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?

08-10-12, 08:05 PM	#2
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	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. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

08-10-12, 08:09 PM	#3
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	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. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

08-10-12, 08:34 PM	#4
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,804	Re: Curvy not charging? For the full chapter and verse, print out this pdf and away you go. __________________ "Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

09-10-12, 09:16 AM	#5
hongman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Curvy not charging? Thanks guys - will do it when I get a chance, although not likely to be this week!

16-10-12, 12:35 PM	#6
hongman Guest Posts: n/a	Does it matter if I conduct these tests with a "manually" charged battery or not?

16-10-12, 02:00 PM	#7
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Curvy not charging? Nope. But if it is at a very low state of charge the readings might be a bit low __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

16-10-12, 02:03 PM	#8
hongman Guest Posts: n/a	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

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