battery discharged while riding

[dschmitta]

Took a 100 mile ride after charging battery before leaving. after about 45 miles, noticed t/signals would not work or horn wouldn't beep. tried to get back home, seemed to be running direct off of batt. shut off and had to get trailered home. Any ideas?

[XS1100 Newbie]

I believe that is how these bikes work. The charging system is there to charge the battery, not run the electrical. Check all connections and wiring, maybe rectifier.

[bikerphil]

Check/clean the plug with 3 white wires coming from the alternator. It is a common problem, the plug is located behind the fuse panel.

[dschmitta]

thanks, keep em coming

[Danny Crawdad]

I'd do some basic tests -- this definitely isn't expected behavior, these bikes have a weak charging system but it shouldn't leave you stranded.

It'd check the battery's resting voltage, the charging output at idle, and then again at about 4000rpm. I had a similar problem, and it was a bad battery.

By the way, regarding the XS' charging system -- when I ride mine, when I plug it up the Battery Tender at night, it takes about 10 minutes of charge and then goes into float mode.

[dschmitta]

seems to be battery

checked batt cells with hydro, showed discharged. put batt on slow xharge, checked every two hours, no reading. went to check after 5 hours, no difference and fluid was boiling over. think may be battery, but will also check charging items. let ya know and thank you

[crazy steve]

...and fluid was boiling over. think may be battery, but will also check charging items. let ya know and thank you

If you were charging it at a high enough rate to boil the battery, you probably do need one now....

You should charge these at 2 amps, 5 amps max and only for a short time. Higher rates will damage the battery.