What a difference and alternator makes!

[Ronbo]

Chargers..volts amps

Let me try to esplane my thinking on this Lucy, lol...

• The alternator does not fill the batter more but it keeps up with the demand at low speed.

• Yes the regulator, which is in my mind is part of the alternator package, must be set to top the battery off better than the magneto as the mag. always left the battery slightly under charged.

• I keep the smart charger on to keep the battery in top condition not because there is a great need. My charger constantly monitors the voltage and charges anytime there is a need. Parasitic loss slowly kills a battery over time as deep cycling a regular battery shortens its life.

• I now have amperage to spare (watts if you prefer). I used to be able to exceed the magnetos ability to keep up with all the lights on and heated clothing. I have a meter I plug in to monitor battery voltage that is just color diodes. With the 2011 it would be orange at idle and go to yellow or even red (12.3 volts) if I had everything on with the engine running. The 2014 is always in the green no matter what, even at an idle.

• When testing with a volt meter, my battery was at 12.5, key off, before hooking up the charger on the 2011, or about 85%. After a long idle the static voltage would be as low as 12.4 (65%). The 2014 is showing 12.6 indicating 100% charged. At 12.1 volts a battery is considered drained as you probably already know so there is a very narrow range to work with.

In 2012 I spoke with a battery tech regarding this very subject and it was his suggestion that using a good trickle charger would keep the battery in peak condition for extended battery life. This was after I drained my battery on the 11 by listening to the radio for a few hours and was trying to find a better battery. He told me that regular battery's have a finite amount of recharge cycles and unlike a deep cycle battery, every time I deep drain the battery by as much as @20% the life of the battery is shortened. It also turned out that the battery I had was as good as it would get with that type of technology.

So, it takes a couple seconds to plug the charger into my trunk outlet after a ride so I make it a habit now.

Wish I'd said that.

Ron

 

[SteveMac]

My output from the battery is showing 14.47. 2014 RT-S

Cruzr Joe

Hey. HEY!!

This, sir, is your second comment on this subject. You know the rules... :lecturef_smilie:

:roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

He can't talk about Battery Maintainer systems at all; and is limited to one post per alternator thread? :shocked:
You're gonna make him feel unwanted! :yikes:
Can we turn him loose on the Subject of SpyderFest? :yes::yes::yes:hyea:hyea:hyea:hyea::yes::yes::yes: :cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

 

[SteveMac]

Oh, I suppose we could allow Joe that much. But the rules committee may veto it. :joke:

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs: Good enough!
Does he need to appear in the Federal Courthouse personally for this ruling? :dontknow:

And if he needs "Character Witnesses"; I'd be willing to testify that he's a real character! :roflblack: