Charging rate


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Sidcar
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Charging rate

Post by Sidcar »



Went for a ride between storms this afternoon. I'm enjoying the ride when the red LEDs on the voltmeter light up and the charge LED turns red and starts flashing indicating overcharging. Instead of a ride I head for the workshop hoping the battery doesn't boil dry and the bulbs blow before I get there.
When I get the voltmeter at work connected I have 13.8 volts at idle and 14.38 volts at 3000rpm, what's not to like about that. Blipping the throttle doesn't increase the charge but the LED's are still red and flashing. Turning on the heated grips makes no difference.
Conclusion, my just over one year old led voltmeter has gone down the pan.
I'll get a cheap digital one next it can't be worse.

Sid


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WingAdmin
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Re: Charging rate

Post by WingAdmin »

How many wires does the cheap LED voltmeter have?
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Sidcar
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Re: Charging rate

Post by Sidcar »

2 wires. Until now it's worked perfectly. As far as I can see the alternator output is well within tolerance and perfectly steady.

Sid
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WingAdmin
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Re: Charging rate

Post by WingAdmin »

Sidcar wrote:2 wires. Until now it's worked perfectly. As far as I can see the alternator output is well within tolerance and perfectly steady.

Sid
I suppose you could measure the voltage at the wire that the LED voltmeter uses and see if it is off - but I'd be inclined to just replace it as well. :)
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newday777
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Re: Charging rate

Post by newday777 »

Get a digital numerical vm like in the January contest that is up for grabs. Seeing the numbers is much better then lights only. It's small and easy to find a location to mount it in an easy to see location as you ride with minimal looking away from the road.
I have the Firecreek panel on my 99A that was on my 99 SE that was totalled, so I see easily the charge rate.

I do need to get one for my 08 1800.
Dogsled
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Re: Charging rate

Post by Dogsled »

I have a D&M volt /traveling temp/shift indicator. The volt meter has saved me twice/ nice to know why i'm freezing when it doesn't seem that cold standing still/ I never know what gear i'm in.

Scott, why the question of how many wires his present meter has?
"Fight until hell freezes over, then fight on the ice"
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WingAdmin
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Re: Charging rate

Post by WingAdmin »

Dogsled wrote:I have a D&M volt /traveling temp/shift indicator. The volt meter has saved me twice/ nice to know why i'm freezing when it doesn't seem that cold standing still/ I never know what gear i'm in.

Scott, why the question of how many wires his present meter has?
If it had more than two, and was actually measuring voltage differential, it could inaccurately show low (or high) voltage.

That said, even with just a basic two-wire setup, a bad, dirty or corroded connection could cause it to inaccurately sense and alert to low voltage.
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MikeB
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Re: Charging rate

Post by MikeB »

LED indicatopr lights are nice but there is no replacement for a good voltmeter, whether it is analog or digital.
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Sidcar
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Re: Charging rate

Post by Sidcar »

In response to Wingman's first post it's not a cheap LED voltmeter which makes it's demise even more annoying. It's replacement will definitely be a digital version. Winning the January contest is a bit of a vain hope so I shan't wait till February.

Sid


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