2011 EGC with 9k. I garaged it with a Battery Tender over the winter, but now that I have started riding it, the volt gauge is showing a charge rate almost at 16 volts. I multimetered the battery at idle and got 14.2 and 12 when off. I wasn't too concerned at first, thinking that the best charge is while riding, but the gauge is always showing a higher rate. Thoughts? Thanks.

 

Your Multimeter read 16volts? or your Bike gauge read 16volts? if the bike gauge, maybe check the connections at the bike gauge and maybe its time for a new gauge?

 

the voltage regulator does 2 things:converts the AC current from the stator to DC

and regulates that voltage to below 14.8 MAX.

higher voltage will burn up lightbulbs, radio, ecm etc etc etc and boil out your battery.

you should never have voltage above 14.8 volts ever. if so, you gots a problem


Diagnostic voltage readings MUST be taken AT the battery with a real voltmeter- if you have a tender pigtail, you can meter there, that saves pulling the seat.

the in-dash voltmeter is notoriously inaccurate. partly because on some models it is measuring the voltage drop in the wiring harness as various accessories or lights are used.
( handy riders will get a better reading wiring to the battery via a relay, use the stock wiring to trigger the relay)

mike

 

14.4 is optimum, did you double check with a fluke to verify its not a scaling/calibration issue with the in dash voltmeter?

 

what does the volt gauge read at idle? does it go up and down with RPM? when is it reading 16v? When I test my charging system, i test at idle and at 3,000 rpm with a volt meter at the battery. I was riding with a buddy in WV last year and at a light he said "look at my volt gauge, is that high?" I said "yup" (it was at 16). we pulled into a dealership about 10 miles away, purchased a regulator, swapped it in the parking lot, and his gauge was back to normal.