Fluctuating voltage
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
Fluctuating voltage
Not sure if this is a problem or not. But I have never noticed this before. When running down the highway, 75MPH, steady 3,000 RPM I can see my volt meter moving from about 14.2 to 14.7 or higher volts. I have never noticed the gauge needle moving like that before. The voltage regulator is new. But the one that just recently failed did the same thing. Maybe it's nothing to worry about but I hate electrical issues.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 157
From: Banning, CA
Unstable voltage ...........
My godson had the same problem, replaced the voltage regulator and no change. Connected a hand held voltmeter to his battery and
went for a ride - stable voltage. Turns out the wire to his voltmeter on his EGC had a loose connection.
went for a ride - stable voltage. Turns out the wire to his voltmeter on his EGC had a loose connection.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
I wouldn't worry about that ... that volt meter in the dash is a POS anyway. If you're really worried about, take off your seat and connect a DMM to your battery. Set the DMM to record high and low extremes. Ignition off and you should get something around 12.7 to 13.1. Now start your bike and your voltage should peak somewhere around 14.5 or so. If it reads more than 15.5, your getting too much voltage returning to your battery ... if you're getting less than your initial reading when your key was off, your voltage is too low. Too much voltage, your reg/rec is probably bad. Not enough, you have more digging to do, it's either your reg/rec or rotor or stator or bad connections somewhere. If your DMM recorded the lowest Voltage when you cranked your bike, ensure it didn't go below 10 volts. If it's less than 10 volts, get ready to buy a new battery soon.
Last edited by CSMHOG; Jun 20, 2017 at 07:39 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
I'll check connections in the fairing and get some voltage readings as suggested by CSMHOG. Thanks guys. I really HATE electrical issues. Maybe I should take the time to learn more because it seems to be the only problems I ever have with my bikes!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 130
Likes: 15
From: Florida
I don't know if this is what is going on in your situation, but mine was doing the same thing, maybe even a little more drastic. It was time for a new battery, so I replaced it. Now the volt meter doesn't move. Just a thought.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 198
From: Ill Annoy
Battery was my first thought too. Bad battery can kill a voltage regulator
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
Yeah, it's looking like that to me also. Sucks, bike/battery is only 2 1/2 years old. I remember when batteries lasted 4 or more years.
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