battery be reading on a multimeter? - SV650.org

04-10-06, 09:05 AM

what should my battery be reading on a multimeter?

04-10-06, 09:36 AM

Depends on if you're reading Volts or Amps. Just to be pedantic.

General rule of thumb it should be around the 12v mark. My play time with a DMM in hand reveals the following:

Amp draw with ignition on, engine off: 8 amps.
Amp draw with ignition on, engine off, brakes on: 11 amps.
Amp draw with ignition on, engine off, indicators on: 8-11 amps intermittent.
Amp draw with only parking lights on(front & back): 1.1 amps.
Amp draw from stock horn: 3.3 amps.
Voltage drop at startup: @ 2 volts(from 12.2 volts to @ 10.2 volts).
Amps of charging after short term battery discharge: 11.5 amp initially at 6000RPM, and 4.8 amps of charge at idle, dropping down slowly over time. During this period the voltage rose from under 13 volts to 13.25 at a higher RPM, then back down to about 13 volts at idle with a slow rise over time.
I loaded it with up to 114 amps, which dropped the voltage of the battery to 10 volts. I've have had a load of 175 amps before the voltage dropped below the standard of 9.6 volts and I lost the dash LCD panel.
At idle, you will have net charge returned to the battery with lights on, from 0 to 11 amps or more.

Also bare in mind that at 0C you will have 15-20% drop in capacity (power available, therefore it might drop to around 130ish amps to hit the 9.6volt mark).
At -20C you'll have a 40% capacity drop, and at -30C you'll have 50%.

All the above is based on a battery less than a year old, and they all deteroriate with age.

Do I warrant the term nerd now?

EDIT: Oh yea, I almost forgot, to turn the engine over, that's 75 amps whilst your finger is on the trigger.

04-10-06, 11:58 AM

thanx, now im

04-10-06, 04:43 PM

It should read 12v. If my old Honda is anything to go by this should go up to around 14v with the engine running, as the battery is charged up.
The charge across the terminals will change depending on how many revs you are giving it

Please bear in mind I have the mechanical aptitude of a turnip, so no doubt I will be corrected soon....

04-10-06, 09:05 AM	#1
hovis Guest Posts: n/a	battery be reading on a multimeter? what should my battery be reading on a multimeter?

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04-10-06, 09:36 AM	#2
Baph Guest Posts: n/a	Depends on if you're reading Volts or Amps. Just to be pedantic. General rule of thumb it should be around the 12v mark. My play time with a DMM in hand reveals the following: Amp draw with ignition on, engine off: 8 amps. Amp draw with ignition on, engine off, brakes on: 11 amps. Amp draw with ignition on, engine off, indicators on: 8-11 amps intermittent. Amp draw with only parking lights on(front & back): 1.1 amps. Amp draw from stock horn: 3.3 amps. Voltage drop at startup: @ 2 volts(from 12.2 volts to @ 10.2 volts). Amps of charging after short term battery discharge: 11.5 amp initially at 6000RPM, and 4.8 amps of charge at idle, dropping down slowly over time. During this period the voltage rose from under 13 volts to 13.25 at a higher RPM, then back down to about 13 volts at idle with a slow rise over time. I loaded it with up to 114 amps, which dropped the voltage of the battery to 10 volts. I've have had a load of 175 amps before the voltage dropped below the standard of 9.6 volts and I lost the dash LCD panel. At idle, you will have net charge returned to the battery with lights on, from 0 to 11 amps or more. Also bare in mind that at 0C you will have 15-20% drop in capacity (power available, therefore it might drop to around 130ish amps to hit the 9.6volt mark). At -20C you'll have a 40% capacity drop, and at -30C you'll have 50%. All the above is based on a battery less than a year old, and they all deteroriate with age. Do I warrant the term nerd now? EDIT: Oh yea, I almost forgot, to turn the engine over, that's 75 amps whilst your finger is on the trigger.

04-10-06, 04:43 PM	#4
Needsy Guest Posts: n/a	It should read 12v. If my old Honda is anything to go by this should go up to around 14v with the engine running, as the battery is charged up. The charge across the terminals will change depending on how many revs you are giving it Please bear in mind I have the mechanical aptitude of a turnip, so no doubt I will be corrected soon....