Battery overheating

[DrSmith]

Hi, I got back from a bit of a thrash about today and noticed a loud constant ringing noise, it took me a couple of minutes to realise it was coming from my bike. Then I noticed the smoke.

It seemed to be coming from the battery compartment so I whipped the seat off to investigate and sure enough the battery was scolding. Too hot to even touch just briefly.

I left it about an hour to cool down before removing it to investigate. It seems intact and putting a voltmeter across it and it chucks out 13.6V. Healthy right? I put it back in the bike, wired it up and started the engine, then the volts shot up to 18.6. Not good.

So obviously the battery was smoking because it was overheating, and it was overheating because it was overcharging. What and how should I investigate first? Reg/Rec unit? Or could it be the alternator? Should the battery be considered dead? And finally what was the ringing noise?

Cheers.

[btbloke]

reg's had it, battery was being boiled,the noise probably the gases escaping,the generator will be fine.

[africajim]

Agree, sounds like the regulator / rectifier has had it. The battery is being boiled. Want to test it? Simple, voltmeter on to battery terminals, voltage with engine off 11.8 to 12.2v, engine running should be around 14v, R/R problem voltage will be higher, possibly with revving, shows regulator's toast!
Never mind, pattern one for around £80 oh and I'd change the battery!

[proxima1304]

it sure sounds like a typical narrative of an expired rectifier. Did happen to me exactly 4 months ago. I got 18,5-19 V on the meter...fried my brand new battery to the extent it actually bulged on the sides so it was quite a deal to replace with another one.

Under no condition should you get more than an ave voltage of 13,5-14,2V to prevent permanent damage to the battery.

I had to pay close to 200 EUR to have it replaced by another original part, I was concerned those recommened rectifiers Lambordini or the cheaper taiwanese and chinese rec may eventually lead to smth more significant; like for instance a fire, which happened to a friends AT all rect, brain, relays and critical electric wiring on port side of the bike were charred.

those of you who may know, what is the best choice for a rectifier other than the original...?

[GSPD750]

those of you who may know, what is the best choice for a rectifier other than the original...?

You want an RR made by Shindengen in Japan.

See following and scroll to the bottom. They recently shipped to me in Canada and they have stock. Best price for an RR on the internet including ebay and the best shipping rate I could find.


Regulator Rectifiers - T.E. Motorcycle Spares

[DrSmith]

Cheers guys, new RR it is then.

GSPD750, do you know if the batteries from te-motorcyclespares are any good? If I'm going to get the RR unit from there then I may as well get the battery as well.

[GSPD750]

Cheers guys, new RR it is then.

GSPD750, do you know if the batteries from te-motorcyclespares are any good? If I'm going to get the RR unit from there then I may as well get the battery as well.

I'm not picky about batteries. The Chinese ones work well for me. A battery can be purchased from just about anywhere providing it's 12V- 12ah. and it fits in the battery box. So yes, buy locally as opposed to having it shipped to save $. Go to any battery shop and say you want a YTX14-BS and they will cross reference and fix you up with the same....or equivalant.

[Knobblywobbly]

There´s also these:

Regulator rectifier Honda XL600V XRV750 electrical parts for motorcycles Electrex World