Ra12r
Zone Head
Posts: 919
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posted October 22, 2003 03:53 PM
Alternator or Battery?!
Lately my battery has been going dead/to low on juice after a few starts and especially after letting the bike run for awhile. I have a FBG battery that really spins it when charged.
How can you tell if the alternator is not charging anymore?
I had tried to fix the oil leak in the harness but it is still leaking. Would this cause a short in the plug in the tail section?!
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kzz1
Zone Head
"Show me whatcha workin with"
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posted October 22, 2003 04:30 PM
There is a recall on the allternator/stator harness leaking oil. ZX12 Girl got the notice in the mail from Kawasaki back in December but just haven't had time to take the bike in for the recall. Hers is leaking as well.
Put a DOV meter across the battery while running and rev engine up while looking at the DOV meter. Voltage should rise to about 13 to 14 volts. If not, possible problem in the rectifier, stator or battery.
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ra12r
Zone Head
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posted October 23, 2003 05:40 AM
Yeah, I got the notice too....but I dont do dealerships anymore. DOV stands for what!? Direct ? Voltage meter. How long do the gel cell batteries last, cause mine is a FBG battery?!
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kzz1
Zone Head
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posted October 23, 2003 06:30 AM
Digital volt meter. Don't know about the gel cell batteries.
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Ra12r
Zone Head
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posted October 25, 2003 03:26 PM
Well, i found a completely oil cooked terminal in the plug in the tail section. I don't believe my regulator is/was working. I tested it and I am only getting 13.5v while ideling now. I took pictures but it was totally cooked in there and require disassembly of the connectors to clean the contacts. Even the surrounding plastic became brittle. Apparently oil will let it short out in the plug. This warranty recall is more serious that first suggested.
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BA
Pro
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posted October 25, 2003 08:29 PM
quote:
I tested it and I am only getting 13.5v while ideling now
Brian, doesn't the Voltage at the batt. change when revving it above idle??
13.5 isn't exactly bad for idle. Makes me want to check mine. 
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kzz1
Zone Head
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posted October 26, 2003 07:27 AM
I better check zx12 girls bike as well!
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ra12r
Zone Head
Posts: 919
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posted November 03, 2003 09:47 AM
I added a second battery and so far so good. I have a nice and neat install that sit next to the co2 tank for my airshifter. Bike starts more like stock now.
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entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted November 03, 2003 12:08 PM
look in the manual, it'll tell you how to check the alternator output and rectifier/regulator. you need a digital multimeter. Been there, done that, all was OK, 
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ZXALAN
Expert Class
Posts: 156
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posted November 03, 2003 09:13 PM
There is an updated plug with a superglue type sealant for the wires under the tail that get oil soaked. That is the recall.
If you are getting 13.5 at idle, that right at or actually over what it should be unless your idle is cranked up a little. My guess is your battery has a cell going bad.
Check the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine off. Should be around 12.2-12.8v. Then start the engine, hold it at 3k rpms or so and check the voltage at the battery (or the side terminals since its a ZX12R with that battery box BS) and see what it is. It should be anywhere from 13.0-13.8v. Average is 13.5v. If the voltage is the same as it was at idle(12.x) then obviously its not charging, if the voltage is LESS then idle, then its not charging and possibly discharging while running due to a shorted stator or rectifier. My guess is its your battery.
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ZXALAN
Expert Class
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posted November 03, 2003 09:14 PM
Damn it, I just read your last post and see you fixed it. Good job.
DOH!
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BA
Pro
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posted November 04, 2003 06:31 PM
 Edited By: BA on 4 Nov 2003 18:31
oh, you did that on purpose Alan, just to make yourself look good!!!
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ZXALAN
Expert Class
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posted November 04, 2003 07:50 PM
:P
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kegie
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted November 05, 2003 07:12 AM
13.5 is the lowest charging voltage the will charge your battery. The good range is betweek 13.5 and 14.5. Aney les and it wont recharg. Any higher and it will hurt your battery. (I have never seen one higher then 14 volts.
If the battery is coroded the corosen wont alow the charging system to charge the battery. Also a dirt and oil on the battery will make a circut acrost the top of the battery and will discharg it while siting.Clean everything and it should work fine.
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ZXALAN
Expert Class
Posts: 156
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posted November 05, 2003 06:52 PM
14.5v will cook the acid/water out of a battery. Especially for an extended time. Like a long ride or something. I checked a brand new 636 today, at 5k rpms it was 13.63v steady state. At idle it was about 13.0. Not running it was 12.7v. Keep in mind this is a new bike and a new battery.
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Ra12r
Zone Head
Posts: 919
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posted November 05, 2003 07:45 PM
Well after my last ride, my battery(plural,,hehe) was still fully charged. So I think after i cleaned my contacts everything is still working.
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kcadby
Pro
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posted November 06, 2003 10:10 AM
I was going to tell you to look at the plug...some of them burn/melt BAD once they have oil on them...
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Ra12r
Zone Head
Posts: 919
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posted November 07, 2003 07:33 PM
Well, actually the problem is not over cause all i did was get the contact clean. I didn't stop the oil issue...........I actually siliconed the wires in the alternator, but that did stop anything! 
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