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What voltage should my battery be?

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GREENI3
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Joined: 26 Nov 2010
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PostPosted: 19:00 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: What voltage should my battery be? Reply with quote
When the engines idling the horn sounds really weak but works perfectly on full throttle when the alternator kicks in, so I thought the battery might need a charge.

Also the brake light doesn't get brighter when I pull in the brake leaver and the brake light blinks in sync with the indicators when they're on.

So I've taken the battery out and tested the voltage which is 6.99v.
My question is should the voltage of the battery be 12v when it's disconnected? or does it mean when the throttle is fully open that the batterys voltage should then read 12v?

And how long can I leave the battery out for before it discharges and how long should I charge it for?
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0l0dom0l0
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Joined: 21 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: 19:28 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Should be around 13.4V when fully charge IIRC. At around 14V when the revs are held at 4k or so.

Will take forever to completely discharge but to get to the state its in now from 13v a fair few months if its a good battery. Dads bike started after 3 months no issues.

Charge it over night. Measure the voltage across it after you take the charger off.

do you do loads of short journeys? Im surprised the bike even starts with 7v across it!
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.
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GREENI3
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PostPosted: 19:46 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Can I use a trickle charger to get it back up to 12v?
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Shreddie
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Joined: 20 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: 19:49 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
0l0dom0l0 wrote:
Should be around 13.4V when fully charge IIRC.

With a brand new battery at least... Anything around 12.8V is fine for an older battery.
Quote:
Im surprised the bike even starts with 7v across it!

You and me both!
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice
Formerly known as
Howling Terror



Joined: 05 Dec 2008
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PostPosted: 19:55 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
This link has some good battery information.

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maintenance/battery.htm
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Last edited by Howling TerrorOutOfOffice on 20:04 - 27 Mar 2011; edited 1 time in total
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GREENI3
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PostPosted: 20:02 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
0l0dom0l0 wrote:
Im surprised the bike even starts with 7v across it!
Btw thats starting it on the kick start. I'd be lucky to even get a noise from the electric start. Laughing

So would I be able to use a trickle charger to get it back up to 12v?
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0l0dom0l0
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Joined: 21 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: 21:24 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah as long as its a 12v charger a trickle charger is good!
____________________
CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.
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McJamweasel
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Joined: 22 Mar 2002
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PostPosted: 21:32 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
0l0dom0l0 wrote:
Yeah as long as its a 12v charger a trickle charger is good!


As long as the battery isn't bollocksed, which I suspect it will be if it's only holding 7v.
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0l0dom0l0
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Joined: 21 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: 21:37 - 27 Mar 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
McJamweasel wrote:
As long as the battery isn't bollocksed, which I suspect it will be if it's only holding 7v.


Possibly, but it is still worth a shot!
____________________
CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.
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