Battery Overcharging

Easy Rider · 04-29-2022, 10:13 AM

I have replaced three batteries in 6 months. I have been told that the battery is being overcharged. The battery is losing it charge and bulging

(swelling) on both sides like it's going to explode. Is this a regulator problem? If not, what?

slowhand · 04-29-2022, 11:27 AM

If the sides are bulging it's a good bet that its being overcharged. Wear safety glasses and thick work gloves and check the battery while the bike is running. Get the RPMs up above 2000 while checking. Does the battery get hot while charging? If you have a multimeter (DVM) check the battery voltage while charging. It should read around 14V while charging. If its over 14.5 the voltage regulator/generator is supplying too much current to the battery. If you don't have a multimeter check the auto parts stores (Autozone, O'Reilly's) and see if they have a multimeter loaner tool. They probably do.

But be careful while working around the battery if you suspect overcharging. The battery can explode if the charge current is high enough and/or the battery acid gets hot enough.

It's also possible that you have a bad wire or a bad connection somewhere between the generator and the battery. Check over the wiring and connections before investigating the charge voltage at the battery. This includes the ground connections. Make sure you have solid connections (nothing loose or corroded) and no broken or exposed bare wire anywhere.

04-29-2022, 10:13 AM	#1
Easy Rider Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 5	Battery Overcharging I have replaced three batteries in 6 months. I have been told that the battery is being overcharged. The battery is losing it charge and bulging (swelling) on both sides like it's going to explode. Is this a regulator problem? If not, what?
	0

04-29-2022, 11:27 AM	#2
slowhand Join Date: Mar 2022 Posts: 26	If the sides are bulging it's a good bet that its being overcharged. Wear safety glasses and thick work gloves and check the battery while the bike is running. Get the RPMs up above 2000 while checking. Does the battery get hot while charging? If you have a multimeter (DVM) check the battery voltage while charging. It should read around 14V while charging. If its over 14.5 the voltage regulator/generator is supplying too much current to the battery. If you don't have a multimeter check the auto parts stores (Autozone, O'Reilly's) and see if they have a multimeter loaner tool. They probably do. But be careful while working around the battery if you suspect overcharging. The battery can explode if the charge current is high enough and/or the battery acid gets hot enough. It's also possible that you have a bad wire or a bad connection somewhere between the generator and the battery. Check over the wiring and connections before investigating the charge voltage at the battery. This includes the ground connections. Make sure you have solid connections (nothing loose or corroded) and no broken or exposed bare wire anywhere.
	0