Charging Voltage

[DavidDeb]

Hi all
I changed out my rectifier and regulator for a combined unit from David Silver as my old rectifier was original and seemed to be extremely hot and would not charge the battery
After fitting the combined unit i am still only getting a reading of 11.95 volts when at idle and just over 12 when giving the bike a rev
Is there anything else i can look at

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

What type & how old is your battery?
If you disconnect & fully charge the battery what is the voltage at the terminals afterwards?

If you have a good battery I would expect the voltage to be well  over 12.6 volts.
Next I would be looking at the connections out of your alternator.

[DavidDeb]

Thanks for the swift reply. The battery was apparently new not long before i bought the bike. I have it on a trickle charge at the minute and will check it tomorrow

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

A standard lead acid type battery should read about 12.73  volts when 100%  charged, 
AGM (absorbed glass mat) type battery should read 13.00 volts when 100% charged..

If you check the battery after it has stood overnight after being charged  you should get a more realistic reading.

I checked the AGM battery for my 500 that was charged up about three weeks ago its reading 13.1 volts today.
By comparison my 400 lead acid battery still on the bike last charged about a month ago is reading 12.3 volts - I've just put it on charge.

Make some allowance for the accuracy of your volt meter.

[Bryanj]

As Ted says you will only get higher voltages when the battery is fully charged. With lights on you will be lucky to put anything into the battery till over 3000 rpm