Battery dying?

Hi guys..sorry for my extremely newbie question. But i was wonderinf if someone could tell me when the battery is supposed to charge on an 81 maxim 550? Will it charge at idle or does it need to be at a certain rpm to charge? Thanks.

 

No apology needed for ANY questions - except for "Does that come with bacon?" cause we all know - everything can come with bacon on the side.

2 - 2.5k rpm is where you should see around 14v at the battery.

 

One sign of dying battery is that while it might show proper voltage at rest, the amp draw while starting can drop voltage too low while cranking - the battery has lost its "ooomph" (a very technical term).

While the alternator will keep a battery topped off, it isn't designed to recharge a low battery. If you don't have a motorcycle battery charger, I suggest you buy one. Inexpensive ones (1-2 amp versions) are only about $20 or so.

 

Thanks i went and got one charged it all night..this charger has an automatic shut off so you cant over charge. Everything seems to be fine. Just wondering why the battery would die. I was driving it at low rpms around the back roads.

 

Then your system may not be charging properly. Could be alternator or voltage regulator, or something else. I'm not an expert in this area. Others will have to weigh in.

FYI - 90% of my driving is small town, 25-30 mph at around 2500-3000 rpm. I haven't had any problem with the battery staying charged.

 

I havent had any issues with it since? Maybe i turned the key too far left and left the parking light on? Either way it hasnt happened again so im not going to start trying to fix something that isnt breaking. Ill wait to see if dies again before starting to figure out any actions. Thanks for the advice i really appreciate it.

 

And maybe be stranded on the road. At the very least do as Stumplifter suggested, and check the voltage at the battery when the bike is revved to 2K and up for 14.5 +/- .3V. If that fails then you can fix something that is broke, if OK, then wait and see. A good battery terminal cleaning might also be in order as a general maintenance item.

 

I hope you have a battery maintainer and if so a pig tail to the battery. If so, plug you should consider hooking it up anytime it's in the garage.