not charging
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Category: RSV / RSVR / FACTORY
Forum Name: Technical Chat
Forum Description: Any technical problems or useful advise for other owners, remember this is just advice posted here, if you make something go BANG in a big way don't take anyone to court about it.
URL: http://www.rsvr.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=30224
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 00:30
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: not charging
Posted By: Bob1
Subject: not charging
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2025 at 15:38
| just took my bike out of hibernation from winter gen 1 Millie r and it doesn't appear to be charging put a multimeter on the battery when running it reads 14 volts but when you rev it the volts don't go up also the lights don't get brighter when you rev it would this be something as simple as replacing the reg/ rectifier thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Spoonz
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2025 at 16:21
| If it’s got 14 volts, it’s charging at least to a point. The output is regulated to about 14.4 volts so no amount of revving will exceed that. Is the battery going flat or failing to start it ? |
Posted By: Bob1
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2025 at 18:20
| I had it on a trickle charger started straight away then after about ten minutes went to start it again it started but really struggled that's when I noticed it wasn't charging properly |
Posted By: Spoonz
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2025 at 18:48
| If you’re confident in that voltage reading then I suspect you might have a battery issue. I’ve had 3 batteries killed when on optimates over the years and all have been during extended winter layoff periods or the battery is just past its best. The nominal voltage of a fully charged battery is about 12.6v, so anything above that will charge so 14v under load should be fine normally. If you have a failing cell on the battery its cranking power will be significantly reduced. Recharge the battery and the put the meter on it. Assuming it has reached 12.6 ish volts, crank the engine and see what the voltage does as it cranks. If it drops significantly under load, it’s toast. |
Posted By: Bob1
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 07:20
| thanks for the advice I think you might be on to something with the battery I have had it on charge all night and it's reading 12.7 while I think technically that's fully charged I checked my gen 2 tuono same battery and that's reading 13.4 so I think what I will do is swap batteries over and go from there thanks again. |
Posted By: Spoonz
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 10:49
| I suspect the 13.4 on the tuono is surface charge and it will drop a bit after its has been resting but a swap is a good test. |
Posted By: wigginsjp
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 18:43
|
As spoonz says Rig the multimeter up and press the starter watching the multimeter. I’ve had a ‘good’ battery showing 12.77volts (dash 11.8) but on each crank rotation it dropped, 11v, 10v and 8v measured on the multimeter. ------------- Aprilia RSVR Factory 2007 V2 1060cc Big Bore Aprilia RSVR Factory 2004 Race Bike Kawasaki ZX10R 2007 Race Bike Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory 2020 www.apriliaperformance.co.uk www.apworkshops.co.uk |
Posted By: IanG
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2025 at 10:37
|
Ditch the battery tender,fit a BIG lithium ion unit and experience trouble free starting,on the button, instantly. ------------- www.apworkshops.co.uk www.apriliaforum.co.uk www.apriliaownersclub.co.uk Looking forward to the next track day |
Posted By: legend88
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2025 at 14:39
You're becoming a bit of an evangelist for lithium batteries Ian. A bit like me for the merits of the US spec Sidestand! |
IanG wrote:Posted By: Bladerunner919
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2025 at 15:36
| The Lithium batteries are perfect for the Mille - the last thing you need is a weak battery that ends up causing sprag clutch failure. |
Posted By: Stevex
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2025 at 18:51
|
14v at the battery terminals is very good at idle but it should increase when revved to 4-5k rpm. I replaced my Gen 1 Tuono reg / rec when I noticed charging voltage was low at the battery terminals at idle and with revs, after having checked the stator continuity and voltage at the 3 yellow wires were good. I fitted a Honda Mosfet reg rec and wired it directly to the battery terminals, adding a fuse to the +ve side. This produced 14v at idle and 14.4v at 4k rpm. It's worth noting the white and brown connectors on the 3 yellow wire charging loom can affect charging voltage, but as you are getting 14v, unlikely.
I've also had a Lithium battery fitted for the last few years.
------------- People say I don't know Jack Sh1t; but I do, he lives next door. |
Posted By: badapple
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 14:36
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left |
Posted By: badapple
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2025 at 14:39
I would have to agree, never touched mine in the gixer ( track only) and it's now 3 years old with really long intervals between starts. I'd like one for the ducati but apparently it's a bad move on the early 1098 but that could just be Internet bolox I'll try one when the current lead acid dies. R
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left |
Posted By: IanG
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2025 at 14:04
The trouble is these bikes are so old and with many finding new homes the same questions keep resurfacing. As OEM I doubt the American stand can ever be beaten,it can possibly be matched with some work but off the shelf it's untouchable. Regarding batteries,well the industry moves on,and remember,people once though acetylene headlights were the best Lithium batteries are without a doubt far superior to lead acid, the only two practical drawbacks are a) initial cost. and maybe a dedicated charger b) in cold weather the need to wake the battery up before attempting a start. a) is a leap of faith if you need a new battery anyway and you can find deals bundling a Li-on battery with a dedicated charger,or at least I found one. b) is easily sorted by switching the bikes lights on for 30 secs before starting,that's not a dealbreaker surely? Unfortunately some people are brainwashed by optimizer advertising to cook their batteries when not in use. Totally not needed in the 21st century unless perhaps you have an alarm fitted and don't look at your bike for months at a time in which case you may need another solution. One condition springs to mind though on reading about and hearing other bikes starting is that a great many owners seem to be suffering from poor starting which may be caused by something other than battery type/condition. These bikes should start instantly,first piston to firing posn,no actual turning over per se. If it's not almost as instant as pressing a light switch then investigate further as you have underlying issues. ------------- www.apworkshops.co.uk www.apriliaforum.co.uk www.apriliaownersclub.co.uk Looking forward to the next track day |