Volt meter warning light

[cmar157]

I just installed a volt meter on my 2012 RT and I tied in the positive and negative to the wires I pulled off of the temperature gauge. I am only getting about 11.9 volts when not running and 13.8 when running. I know my battery is going bad and I am going to replace it but my question is the warning light on the gauge is lit. I didn't hook up the yellow and was wondering if that is why it is lit or is it because of the charging amps not where they should be or the confirming a bad battery. It is the original battery.

Thanks

 

[jtoro1]

I just installed a volt meter on my 2012 RT and I tied in the positive and negative to the wires I pulled off of the temperature gauge. I am only getting about 11.9 volts when not running and 13.8 when running. I know my battery is going bad and I am going to replace it but my question is the warning light on the gauge is lit. I didn't hook up the yellow and was wondering if that is why it is lit or is it because of the charging amps not where they should be or the confirming a bad battery. It is the original battery.

Thanks

My voltage meter does the same thing the my voltage meter is defective but I use it anyway and ignore the warning light your battery is charging so you should be fine at 13.8 but when it's in not running you should have at least 12 the yellow wire is for the warning light you should connect it to a constant 12 volt

 

[trikermutha]

Sounds normal..Voltage will drop when lights etc are on and not charging.

Is there a adjustment on the volt gauge for high and low voltage settings? or as stated above with yellow wire as constant power source sensing

 

[Lew L]

14v +

I think the charging voltage should be higher. The charging sys has to PUSH the voltage to charge a battery. Check at 3000+ rpm and IMHO should be closer to 14.5v +/-


Kaos

 

[cmar157]

Thansk for the feedback. I am thinking the battery is bad because a couple of times it has not started and after restting it starts up. I know that is the first sign of a bad battery.

 

[pegasus1300]

My voltage meter like that actually read .5 to .75 low. You may want to test yours at the battery and see if yours reads low also.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

when the engine is running, 13.8 is a good reading for a 990 series engine and 14.4 is good for a 1330 series engine.

Cruzr Joe

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I just installed a volt meter on my 2012 RT and I tied in the positive and negative to the wires I pulled off of the temperature gauge. I am only getting about 11.9 volts when not running and 13.8 when running. I know my battery is going bad and I am going to replace it but my question is the warning light on the gauge is lit. I didn't hook up the yellow and was wondering if that is why it is lit or is it because of the charging amps not where they should be or the confirming a bad battery. It is the original battery.

Thanks

What does it show when you hit the starter? If it's dropping to anything close to 10.5 you're in trouble. At 10.5 volts the Spyder will not start because the computer and cluster will prevent it doing so. That's the point where the cluster screen starts to go screwy, or even blank out.

 

[cmar157]

It does drop under 10.5 and i now I know why the screen blanks out, Thanks. I have a new battery on order. 4 1/2 years isn't bad for a bike battery.

 

[jroberts650]

when the engine is running, 13.8 is a good reading for a 990 series engine and 14.4 is good for a 1330 series engine.

Cruzr Joe

I've got a 2010 RT and mine shows 13.4-13.5 volts when up to speed. My battery is only a few months old. Goes down to 13.2 when fan kicks on.

 

[finless]

2011 RT and my volt meter shows 13.8 running and 12.4 when I shut it down.
After a few minutes if I leave the key on it drops to 12.2 and holds there.
My battery is less than a year old.
The voltage is a little lower with the voltage gauge hooked to the old analog gauge wires.
My warning light is also always on. I do not believe that light works correctly because of these slightly lower voltages.

Bob

 

[pegasus1300]

2011 RT and my volt meter shows 13.8 running and 12.4 when I shut it down.
After a few minutes if I leave the key on it drops to 12.2 and holds there.
My battery is less than a year old.
The voltage is a little lower with the voltage gauge hooked to the old analog gauge wires.
My warning light is also always on. I do not believe that light works correctly because of these slightly lower voltages.

Bob

did you end up running your wires direct?

 

[WackyDan]

12.6 is a good reading for a battery at rest with the bike off.

AS others have said...with the 990/991 series, 13.5 volts at speed is about as good as it gets and that voltage will drop if you are running any accessories. On my GS with the factory fogs(110w) and motolights(100w) on I'm running 12.8volts at 70+ MPH.

On the 1330 I get 14.2-14.4 when running with little fluctuation at all though I don't have any additional lights as of yet other than factory fogs.

One thing to keep in mind. You don't want your voltmeter hooked up all the time. Have it on a switch so you can turn it off when done riding or checking voltage.

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

Voltage guage warning light

I have the 990 and my volt guage, installed by dealer, shows plun or minus 13.8 volts most of the time and the warning light is always on.

Joe

 

[finless]

did you end up running your wires direct?

No I just stay aware of what low is in relation.

Bob

 

[cmar157]

I notice a difference between the gauge and my meter at the battery but close enough. When I get some time I may run it back to the battery. I did end up changing my battery, thanks Finless for the great video, and my problems are gone. This is the most helpful site on the net for Spyders with some great people and advise.

 

[finless]

I notice a difference between the gauge and my meter at the battery but close enough. When I get some time I may run it back to the battery. I did end up changing my battery, thanks Finless for the great video, and my problems are gone. This is the most helpful site on the net for Spyders with some great people and advise.

Your welcome. Glad i could help!

Bob