Battery charging question

I've been having to recharge the battery after every few rides so I figured it was time for some research as to why. I checked the battery voltage after charging and it was 12 volts give or take. I checked it while running and would stay about 12 while idling but increase slightly (12.5 volts or so) when run up to 4000 RPM. Which is the likely culprit on a 83 kz550 - the rectifier or would that go back to the alternator. I didn't have a chance to check any wiring but just wondering which on average is usually the cause.

Thanks

got water in battery,how old is battery ...... ?

I do have water in the battery (although they aren't completely full) and the battery is less that 2 years old.

stallau wrote:

I've been having to recharge the battery after every few rides so I figured it was time for some research as to why. I checked the battery voltage after charging and it was 12 volts give or take. I checked it while running and would stay about 12 while idling but increase slightly (12.5 volts or so) when run up to 4000 RPM. Which is the likely culprit on a 83 kz550 - the rectifier or would that go back to the alternator. I didn't have a chance to check any wiring but just wondering which on average is usually the cause.

Thanks

With a known good properly filled fully charged battery and good connections to all components involved, the alternator or rectifier could be responsible for less than desireable voltage at 4000 rpm.

Whereas a faulty regulator could allow too much charging voltage.

When checking the wiring, besides connectors to stator and reg/rec, would also include connections at battery terminals and negative cable to engine/frame.

Good Luck!

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.

charge up your battery fully then take it to auto zone or a nice place like that and they can load test it for you to see if it is still good. a fully charged battery should have between 12.8 volts to 13.2, how did you maintain it over the winter did you take it out and charge it occasionally over the winter[about once a month in the house would be best where it is warm] or did you let it sit over the winter. just because the battery has been in your possesion for two years does not mean it is two years old and even if it is it still could be bad.start with a good known fully charged battery before you start checking the charging system then at least you will have eliminated that as a problem.