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V7 Special Charging System Problem

H

H674

Just got it firing!
Joined
Sep 23, 2023
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Location
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Hi All, just bought a new 2023 V7 and unfortunately it has charging problems already at less than 700 miles. Battery tested out o.k., but voltage is lower after a ride than before. On one occasion it dropped from 12.8 V to 12.45 V after about 30 minutes of riding at 3000 to 4000 RPM. Yesterday I tested the battery with the following results: Ignition off: 12.71V. Idle: 14.25V. 2000 RPM: 14.4V. 3000 RPM: 14.5V. 4000 RPM: dropping to 13.4V. Idle again: 12.31V. So it seems that after warming up the charging system starts to malfunction. The whole test took about 3 to 4 minutes. Any ideas where to start the troubleshooting? Thanks in advance
 
I don’t see an issue here. The voltage regulator is going to vary the charging rate and volts but unless the battery is significantly reduced a day or two later, I think you are seeing something not really wrong.
 
The battery starts the motor without any problems. Actually, when the voltage dropped to 12.45 during the ride I mentioned above, the battery recovered to 12.61 by the next day and then to 12.64 the following day without being on the trickle charger. I thought that was good. What has me worried is that the charging voltage with engine running is less than the voltage at rest (ignition off). Wouldn't that eventually drain the battery on longer rides? The manual states a voltage in the 13 to 14 range, motor running. Dave N., I know that returning it to the dealer would be an option, but it is more then 200 mi over the Rockies, too cold. So I rather try to solve the issue, if there is one, myself. Thanks guys for the replies.
 
About the only thing I'd do as of now is pull both battery terminals, clean and lube them. Then get the ground off of the transmission and clean it too. Could just be a loose/dirty connection.
 
If the voltage is falling, it's likely a bad battery. Most ALL AGM batteries are rushed into service these days. Some last days to weeks. The Made in China stator or VR could be failing as well. All are warranty items.
But I can be ignored or try to be proved wrong as always. :smirk:
 
These modern charging systems are different from "the old days" Just reading about the charging system on my V100 and there is a note saying "When the voltage at the load reaches 14.82V, the generator output current will be close to zero." Its the same with my car, once the battery is charged the alternator it is turned off by the ECU. I think scottmastrocinque is correct, you may be chasing your tail.

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Kevin.NZ said:
Just reading about the charging system on my V100 and there is a note saying "When the voltage at the load reaches 14.82V, the generator output current will be close to zero."
Click to expand...
The V7 uses the older crank nose style wet (now Made in China) stator and voltage regulator. Your comment above is not correct for this model. All of the high-mount alternator big blocks do use an onboard VR.
 
Thanks for all the inputs. So I did check the battery terminals and the ground post on the transmission. All tight and clean as new. Bad battery was my first thought also. Had it tested at two battery shops (both clearly with an incentive to sell me a new one) and it tested out as being in top condition both times. I will see whether I can get a loaner and test the charging voltages again , just to make sure battery is not the issue. If that checks out, maybe stator test next. Does the tank have to come of for that or does it slide back far enough to reach the connectors?
 
scottmastrocinque said:
I don’t see an issue here. The voltage regulator is going to vary the charging rate and volts but unless the battery is significantly reduced a day or two later, I think you are seeing something not really wrong.
Click to expand...
This, If the bike starts there is no issue, all charging numbers are in line with factory specs.
This is why I asked if it fails to start.
They had ones charging too much at one time not long ago & were cooking the batteries. REMEMBER it's a 12V system
If it starts ride it.
 
You don’t have an issue. It’s operating within specification. 🤦‍♂️
 
Yes Scott, the charging system definitely operates within specs immediately after engine start, 14.xx V around 3000 rpm. But after a short time, 3-5 minutes, it dropped down to 13.xx V and then to 12.3 at idle. From then on out it never got to above 12.6x V even at 3000 rpm, and that is below specs which are 13 to 15 V. So something odd seems to happen after the system is warmed up. And as I said initially, the voltage at the battery terminals is LOWER after a ride than before it. That cannot be right I think. But I have been wrong before (and I hate when that happens). :)
 
H674 said:
Yes Scott, the charging system definitely operates within specs immediately after engine start, 14.xx V around 3000 rpm. But after a short time, 3-5 minutes, it dropped down to 13.xx V and then to 12.3 at idle. From then on out it never got to above 12.6x V even at 3000 rpm, and that is below specs which are 13 to 15 V. So something odd seems to happen after the system is warmed up. And as I said initially, the voltage at the battery terminals is LOWER after a ride than before it. That cannot be right I think. But I have been wrong before (and I hate when that happens). :)
Click to expand...
In that case have your dealer check it out to be sure. Please let us know the outcome.
 
FWIW I was quite surprised when I used the UpMap live data display on my 2021 V7 850 Special. The voltage varies quite a bit for a while after starting and, presumably, recovering the charge lost in cranking the engine. It even exceeded 15v briefly. The bike will be three years old in June. The original battery is still fine as far as I know. (Currently on maintenance as the bike is off road for winter).
I just don’t think there’s anything wrong here; if you hadn’t checked it you’d have been none the wiser….
 
@ Speciality: Yes, you are right, because no problems were showing during engine start or riding.
What triggered my curiosity was an unusually long time (5+ hours) on my 1.5 amp trickle charger in 'charging' mode. I have 2 other motorcycles which I routinely put on a charger after a ride, and the time in charging mode is about 15 minutes, sometimes less, before they go into 'maintenance' mode. Yesterday I swapped batteries with my RE Int650, same results on the voltage values. So I can probably rule out the battery as the 'culprit', Next step planned: Check connections in the charging system for problems and then do a stator test. If that checks out o.k. concentrate on Reg/Rec. I will report results.
 
H674 said:
Yes Scott, the charging system definitely operates within specs immediately after engine start, 14.xx V around 3000 rpm. But after a short time, 3-5 minutes, it dropped down to 13.xx V and then to 12.3 at idle. From then on out it never got to above 12.6x V even at 3000 rpm, and that is below specs which are 13 to 15 V. So something odd seems to happen after the system is warmed up. And as I said initially, the voltage at the battery terminals is LOWER after a ride than before it. That cannot be right I think. But I have been wrong before (and I hate when that happens). :)
Click to expand...

If the battery is not in need of electricity, the charging system will REDUCE the voltage sent to it. You don't actually think it will continuously send 14.xx volts the entire time do you? You would cook off the battery.

I honestly think you are not seeing this clearly so I give up. Good luck.
 
No, I do not think that the system continuously sends 14.xxV to the battery, but at least enough to cover the load of ECU, lights etc. So when I start a ride with 12.8xV (100%) and end up with 12.45 V (~ 70%) after about 30 min of riding something is amiss I think. What might happen after a ride of 3-4 hours if this discharging trend continues? Unfortunately I will not be able to test this scenario until next spring. Maybe I just wait till then. Thanks for all your replies.
 
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