CBR954 Charging Problem

[Serendipity]

Yes, it’s a Honda with a charging problem. What a surprise.

What I want to know is where the problem is most likely to be?

The Facts:

The battery predates my ownership of the bike so I suspect a minimum of four years old. It could possibly be the original battery so therefore seven years old.

I am a daily commuter; however my commute is quite short with speeds rarely exceeding 40mph. I always ride with lights on.

I have an alarm/immobiliser that adds to the drain.

In the summer months I never have a problem, but during the winter I normally leave the bike on trickle charge overnight once a fortnight to keep the battery topped up.

Yesterday the bike died in traffic (ironically on the way home from Maplin after purchasing some parts to make up a charging connector to keep under the seat). After jump starting the bike I tested the voltages. With the discharged battery and the engine running the values were only about 12.5v rising to 13.4v at 5000rpm. If I switched on the lights the voltage dropped to 11.8v even at high revs. Not good. A very nice man from the AA gave me a lift home with his (complete overkill) 10 tonne flatbed.

This morning after a night on trickle charge (12 hours at less than 300mA) and a ride to work (with the lights off) the battery tests as follows:

Ignition off: 12.67v
Ignition on: 12.50v
Engine running at 5000rpm: 14.40v
Engine running at 5000rpm with lights on: 12.50v

Still not great.

So I’m after recommendations for next step. New battery? Or will that just mask a deeper problem? New reg/rec? That could get expensive. I still need to run through the steps from the Haynes manual to test the reg/rec and alternator connections.

Cheers

Simon
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2007 CBF1000 & 2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[Cigaro]

Your charging system sounds OK. I'd be tempted to say that at that age your battery is probably due a replacement.

[Gawain]

New battery and go over the charging circuit, cleaning and looking for corrosion. Then you'll be in a good position to gauge charging system health.

[Serendipity]

OK, next question then…


…what is the practical difference between a Kyoto battery at £49.99 and a Yuasa battery at £114.99?

Both appear to be sealed gel batteries. Just build quality? Name?
____________________
2007 CBF1000 & 2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation