Charging system problem

[whynot]

I've been having an ongoing issue with the charging system on my transalp 650.
Have replaced the reg/rec and has a newish battery but doesn't seem to hold its charge very well. It will start most of the time and on long runs goes fine, but my commute is short and after a week or two it ends up draining the battery eventually.

I'm thinking dodgy alternator/generator?
is there an easy way to check this?
I'm getting 14-15 volts on the battery terminals when running.

edit: maybe the battery is discharging slowly overnight or something?
might check this later.

[T ALP]

(QUOTE)I'm thinking dodgy alternator/generator?
is there an easy way to check this?
I'm getting 14-15 volts on the battery terminals when running.

edit: maybe the battery is discharging slowly overnight or something?
might check this later.

I would'nt think the charging system is at fault here if you are getting that voltage, maybe you have something earthing out somewhere?
or just how short is your commute.

Electrics are not my best thing so hopefully someone else can provide better info. hope you can sort it ------- Chris

[whynot]

how short is your commute.

3 miles

[T ALP]

3 miles

3 miles

Save the whole bike engine oil does'nt even do its job properly untill its reached working temperature. Get some pedal power! -------- Chris

[whynot]

3 miles

Save the whole bike engine oil does'nt even do its job properly untill its reached working temperature. Get some pedal power! -------- Chris

I have been walking a lot recently ....

[T ALP]

(QUOTE)I have been walking a lot recently

GOOD MAN! don't know if you ride a cycle but if its safe enough traffic wise to do it where you are you will be amazed how much ground you can cover on one, and how much better you can feel for doing it. -- Chris

PS its just that safety factor of riding a cycle on todays roads.

[whynot]

Thanks for that

anyway i guess the point i am trying to make is ... should my commute (short as it is) be enough to be maintaining the amount of charge in the battery?

because it doesn't appear to be doing that.

or am i just being paranoid?

[StumpyFingers]

You do not mention if your lights are always on, if they are then a short commute will not replace the charge taken out starting the bike.
I had a few problems with another bike with short commutes and so has one of the officials at work.
He has to recharge his battery about once a week.
I also got very bad fuel consumption due to the engine still being relatively cold.

[whynot]

You do not mention if your lights are always on, if they are then a short commute will not replace the charge taken out starting the bike.

Yep i normally ride with lights on.

[StumpyFingers]

Yep i normally ride with lights on.

Take a longer detour to get 10 miles each way and see if it makes a difference.