Battery Doesn't Want to Hold a Charge

[Crazcnuk]

Not true. If the fuseblock is melted and the fuses don't fit tight you can get dimming, and flickering and all kinds of wierd stuff happening. The fuse doesn't have to be a go/no go item, it can be making partial contact too.

DAMHIK.

[b.walker5]

Okay, the electrician in me just has to debate this point , Flickering.. yes, definately, Dimming .... weeellll maybe. If you have a loose or dry joint on the main fuse then the arcing under load would absolutely create flickering lights, but it would/should also create momentary loss of power the to ignition which would/should, produce intermittant miss firing and rough running, and it would also create heat which would cause melting, burning, etc. In small doses this may not be noticeable until the carbon build up from arcing becomes a major problem. Dimming on the other hand is the result of reduced or reducing voltage over a period of time (seconds to years), which, I agree, can be the result of increasing resistance due to carbon buildup from arcing, but this usually occurs over an extended period where the dimming would/should have been noticeable long before the ignition failed. Dimming occuring just before engine failure

Rode for 20 miles with power, then shut down again-all lights dim then out. A bike friendly passerby gave me a quick jump and she roared back into life-then 2 miles later....goodnight sweet girl.

would tend to rule that scenario out. This is more likely to be the result of a failing power source, with no replenishmnet. I guess it all comes down to dgore's definition of dimming, and we may have to agree to disagree

[Crazcnuk]

Not a matter of disagreeing or agreeing. I had this exact thing happen to me.

I could ride for 20kms, or maybe 40kms or maybe 4kms and all of a sudden it would go dim, then die. and not start.

I would pull the sidecover off jiggle the fuses and off I go. I replaced the fuseblock and haven't had the problem since.

Derwat had the same issue with hsi special, only his would just die.

for the 5 minutes it takes to check the fuseblock, this discussion was unneeded, it was just a suggestion.

[b.walker5]

Okay, not doubting you or trying to ruffle feathers, just getting my head around the scenario.

[Crazcnuk]

heh, no problem.

I just find that the tendency on this site, for any routine question, is to head right to the worst case scenario.

I like to check ALL the easy stuff first!

[dgore]

Voltage Check

First of all let me just say thank you as I really appreciate the response I received on this issue.

I found that at 2500 + RPMs the battery voltage slowly creeps to 12.5 then drops and fluctuates between 12-12.15. It sounds like the next step is to check out ohm resistance at the fuse block and alternator.

I'll let you know how it goes,


Thanks-

[DGXSER]

Hmm...I'd still say start at the grounds make sure they are clean, and then the connectors behind the fuse box.

[dgore]

Resistance

The white wires behind the fuse box all check out at 1.8-2.0 ohms resistance, the green/brown wires check out at almost 5.0 ohms. Connectors are clean and intact.

Next step-check regualtor and rectifier? Good bye gas tank!