Voltage test on my bike

[jo]

I took my bike out for a run on Saturday and when I got home it wouldnt start because the battery was flat. I immediately thought it was the reg/rec so after an overnight charge I tested the voltage. On both tickover and at 5,000 rpm it was 14.3v. Is this normal or is it high?
I've read Rick O's write up and people have mentioned that if it rises to over 15v then the reg/rec is knackered. I've had 5 or 6 fail on me over the years and in my experience I've never seen voltages that high!
Also, I stuck it on charge, then took it out on Monday and it was fine afterwards, and even last night without being on trickle charge it was fine.
So, am i panicking for no reason? Or is the reg/rec on its way to failing on me again?

[Morespeedvicar]

Hi, are all the connections clean? Maybe worth checking them out see if there a bit corroded, 14.3v is spot on really.
How olds the battery?
Cheers
Ian

[jo]

It's a year old and been on trickle charge all year. The connections are fine.

[Morespeedvicar]

Was it deffo the battery been dead, ie was the lights working? Are all the starter, ground and soleniod connections good aswell? Dont know what else to sujest sorry!?
I not a believer in just one a them things, theres usually and problem in there somewere!!!
Cheers
Ian

[jo]

Thanks for your help. I'm just gonna have to keep an eye on it.

[dgunthor]

leave the battery overnight then check the voltage with the bike off - battery should be between 12.3V -> 13V if it's good and holding charge. Mine's about 12.6V at the moment when I take a peek

[Cammo]

Jo, based on the occasional electrical issues you've posted on the forums it sounds like you've possibly had a long term, intermittent issue. I had the same (occasional flat battery after a long ride), and everything electrical always used to check out fine, but something was certainly up.

Intermittent problems are hard to identify (I never did solve mine) but you can certainly rule most things out and assist the electrical system. Rick's earthing kit may help, and so also could running the reg/rec straight to the battery (as Magg outlined in a post, will dig it up of you're interested).

The other thing to note is that you've gone through 5-6 reg/recs - if you fit an updated unit it should never let you down. I've never had an R6 unit fail on me (a few other types certainly have). Something to consider perhaps.

[jo]

I dont know about the earthing kit or wiring it straight to the battery.
Next time it fails I'll see about asking Rick Oliver to upgrade it all, I'm so fed up with it failing all the time!

[CMSMJ1]

I'd get the earthing kit - a few wires - so easy to do.

The reg rec to battery thng - I must have missed that or got scared, but I like the sound of it!

MIght need some pics though eh?

[dgunthor]

+1 for yamaha reg/rec, replaced the burnt out one on my NC30 and ran it for 80,000 miles plus with no problems

my NC35 honda one is fine at the moment (touch wood) but would do the same if/when it goes