Buda 11 #1 Posted January 17, 2015 When I put the charger on the battery for a couple of minutes it will start. The battery shows 12 volts and when running at full throttle I'm getting just over 13 volts at the battery. I put new bearings and brushes in the s/g this fall, also a new voltage regulator. The battery is less than 6 months old. I guess I'm a bit over my head. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Much Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,156 #2 Posted January 17, 2015 Sounds like you need a battery with more cranking amps PS. Went through the same thing with my commando 8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buda 11 #3 Posted January 17, 2015 It's worth a shot. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Drinkin 9 #4 Posted January 17, 2015 I would guess that your generator is not charging properly. A fully charged battery should be around 12.6 volts or a little more. At 12 volts it is down a fair amount in cranking power.. An alternator system should charge around 14 volts and I would think that a generator should also, . I would check all ground connections and faulty wires first and then I would throw in the towel. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #5 Posted January 17, 2015 An alternator system should charge around 14 volts and I would think that a generator should also, . Correct. SG or stator, it is charging the same style lead acid battery requiring the same charge voltage. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #6 Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) If you have a voltmeter, just measure the voltage drop from the battery lug to the Generator terminal on the SG. I understand these illustrations do not show an SG system, but the concept is identical. Make the measurement while the SG is cranking. Good wiring will show very little voltage drop (less than 0.5 volts). Poor wiring will show several volts dropped and therefore slower cranking. You can perform the same measurement on the ground wire from the battery to the SG case. This process will allow you to tell if the poor connection is in the positive wiring or the negative ground wiring. Edited January 17, 2015 by Save Old Iron 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #7 Posted January 17, 2015 Before you run the above tests, I would advise measuring the battery voltage AT THE BATTERY TERMINALS while cranking the engine. Battery voltage dropping under 10 volts while the engine is cranking is a sure sign of a compromised battery. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buda 11 #8 Posted January 17, 2015 S.O.I I've got a multimeter and will do the test you've suggested today. Thanks Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buda 11 #9 Posted January 17, 2015 Well checked the battery first and it drops all the way down to 5 volts or so when I turn the key.......looks like I'll be looking at batterys. Any thoughts on minimum cca for good winter starts? Also would a bad battery have any affect on my s/g rate of charging? Thanks Much Tom 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geissenkid 0 #10 Posted January 17, 2015 Good advice I'm new here and I want to post a question but I don't know how sorry please help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buda 11 #11 Posted January 18, 2015 There is a button that's says new topic.......that will get you your thread Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #12 Posted January 18, 2015 battery...... drops all the way down to 5 volts or so when I turn the key when you turned the key to RUN or START? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
