Voltage Gauge
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
Voltage Gauge
How many of you have voltage gauges that read over 15 volts when running? My gauge always has shown approx 15-15 1/2 volts while the bike is running. No big deal, just annoying.
Took the bike to the dealership to get it replaced and troubleshoot some new engine noises while it was under warranty. Now I'm being told the gauge is normal. One guy says the noises are normal, another says they can't hear any. A whole day shot getting the trailer out, loading the bike, and then going to Florida to get these things taken care of. Not to mention I will have to do it all over again to get the bike back.
All they want to do is sell me things. Very frustrating.
Took the bike to the dealership to get it replaced and troubleshoot some new engine noises while it was under warranty. Now I'm being told the gauge is normal. One guy says the noises are normal, another says they can't hear any. A whole day shot getting the trailer out, loading the bike, and then going to Florida to get these things taken care of. Not to mention I will have to do it all over again to get the bike back.
All they want to do is sell me things. Very frustrating.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: san diego
This is not abnormal. Your charging system is designed to put out more than 12 volts. A battery holds about 12.6 volts. if you put a voltmeter on it while it is running you will see about what your gauge is reading. This is to provide ample voltage to charge the battery while it is running acessories,lights,etc. most charging systems put out anywhere from 14.4-18 volts. that is just how they work
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
This is my 4th batwing bike. This is the 2nd one that stayed over 14 volts. This one is almost 16 volts. All my friend's bikes read at about 14 volts and so did my other 2 bikes.
2 volts is the difference between riding and being broken down on the side of the road.
2 volts is the difference between riding and being broken down on the side of the road.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
if you have a tender cable already attached to the battery, it is easy to check with a "real" voltmeter what is happening at the battery, otherwise take the time to pull the seat
the in dash voltmeter is notoriously inaccurate, and depending on model year may be subject to voltage drop by the loading on the wiring system.
Many of us use as a coarse indicator of what is happening, taking notice if the needle points where we have not seen it before...
The voltage regulator should keep the current supplied to the battery below 14.8 Volts.
Higher that that can damage the battery- essentially boil out the electrolyte.
Confirm readings with a real voltmeter at the battery- some current models have had voltage regulators bad from new.
ALL charging system checks give accurate readings only with a good, fully charged battery- a failing battery can skew the results and lead to misdiagnosis.
Mike
the in dash voltmeter is notoriously inaccurate, and depending on model year may be subject to voltage drop by the loading on the wiring system.
Many of us use as a coarse indicator of what is happening, taking notice if the needle points where we have not seen it before...
The voltage regulator should keep the current supplied to the battery below 14.8 Volts.
Higher that that can damage the battery- essentially boil out the electrolyte.
Confirm readings with a real voltmeter at the battery- some current models have had voltage regulators bad from new.
ALL charging system checks give accurate readings only with a good, fully charged battery- a failing battery can skew the results and lead to misdiagnosis.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jul 31, 2013 at 10:20 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
Finally after 2 days of bad news, dealership calls with some good news. They finally heard the noise from the primary side. It is a bad compensator. They're replacing it and throwing in a new voltage gauge.
It pays to be persistent but sure wore me out.
It pays to be persistent but sure wore me out.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
That's GOOD news, right there.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 515
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
My PV shows my bike at 14.2 volts when my gauge shows around 15. I noticed that the angle I am looking at the gauge makes it look higher than it is (looking down at it), but think it is normal for it to appear high. I would be more worried if I was running high rpm and it showed low voltage.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,092
Likes: 2
From: Wenatchee, WA
Just ensure once you've confirmed the voltage across the battery @ 14.5 vdc that you use the higher gauge indication as a reference.
In other words if the gauge begins indicating 14.5 vdc then you have a problem with the charging system.
In other words if the gauge begins indicating 14.5 vdc then you have a problem with the charging system.
