| Author |
Message |
    
Wyobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 02:21 pm: | 
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Hi everyone, I am a new Bueller, and love the Bike. Also, BadWeb is amazing. I have tried to find my problem on here without success, so please give me your thoughts.
Here is my situation.
First, a little background-
I bought an 05 XB12S about a month ago. The seller hadn't riden it in a year, and let me know the battery was discharged, but that he thought the battery was still good, just needed to be charged.
After a full night of charging I rode it to work the next day. No problems on the way to work.After work it would click, but not enough power to turn over.
Thinking it was the battery I bought a new one. Gave it a complete charge before initial use.
I had no problems with the bike for 2.5 weeks. Then, one day on my way to work, I started to experience power cutting out. It felt almost like I was running out of gas, and the engine was getting intermittent spurts of fuel. I got to work with the engine going fine for a second, and then loosing power for a second. This happened over and over in a cyclical fashion. It didn't seem to be an issue at idle, or while accelerating, only when at speed.
I got a ride home that day, and charged the battery again that night. The next day the same thing happened.
I got on Badweb and found all the issues that people have had with stators and the dreaded 77 connection.
I checked the 77 connection(and all other connections under the primary cover). I could see no signs of problems with the connection.
Using a post on badweb I followed the diagnosing chart to ensure that the stator and volt regular are still good.
I determined that the Stator is fine(the voltage outputs were as they should be). I do not yet have a load tester, so I couldn't verify that the voltage regulator is working correctly. I used dielectric grease and put the connections back together.
I gave the battery a good charge, and haven't had any issues for almost a week now.
At the same time I changed the oil(which needed to be done) and used full synthetic. Since then I have noticed the fan comes on far less frequently.
Here is my question-
When I was first riding the bike I tried to keep the RPMs very low on my way to work to maximize gas mileage. I was usually below 2K. I have subsequently manned up and been riding where the bike likes it in the 3500 range.
Is it possible that my low RPM's were not generating enough voltage to run the bike, and the fan(which was almost always on), and tend the battery?
Or, does someone have a thought on what might be wrong?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. |
Rsh
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 07:20 pm: |
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If you have a multimeter you can check what the charging system voltage is at the battery terminals with the bike running at idle speed.
It should read from approximately 13.8 to 14.0 VDC, also the voltage should be fairly consistent from idle to redline (no need to check it there) if the charging system is functioning correctly.
It is possible for the battery not to charge properly if your riding is limited to 5 minute stop and restart the bike rides.
Be careful using dielectric grease, it does just what it's description says, it is an insulator and does not promote good electrical contact. |
Wyobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 07:40 pm: |
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Sorry for not mentioning this in my initial post. When I did the diagnostic on the stator i followed the full electrical system diagnostic starting with checking for current while turned off. As a part of the diagnostic I checked voltage to battery at idle. I believe it was around 13.6
I am trying to remember back to my college physics class. Even though the voltage is sufficient, could I be short on Amps?
Also, on my ride there is about 15 minutes of 75 on highway, with very few stops. The issue started while I was on highway portion of the trip.
(Message edited by wyobuell on June 17, 2009)
(Message edited by wyobuell on June 17, 2009) |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 06:15 pm: |
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Probably a bad battery... they don't like being left uncharged for a long period of time.
Charge it up again, and take it to an auto parts store and have them load test it.
And yes, volts = amps * resistance. So just knowing volts doesn't really tell you much besides "the stator and voltage regulator are at least trying". It does not tell you if the battery is actually absorbing and storing power. |
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Can low RPM's cause batery discharge during riding