Battery draining or burning up.

[TheCoffeeGuy]

1980 GS850 GL

Rewired completely except for the running and charging circuits.

Blew a few tail light bulbs and that made me think a bit.

Then my first battery burnt up. a compact Shorai. Being replaced.

Installed standard conventional Lead Acid battery.

Charging at idle between 12.9 and 13.2 V, at 4000 Rpm the charge rises to 13.8 13.9.

No heat in battery while riding short 10 minute test runs. Then I try to start it after about 6 or 7 test runs and nothing. Battery is dead (not enough charge to turn engine over). I will try to recharge.

I don't want to just start throwing money at this thing. My first indication leads me to think the regulator/rectifier. Would there be a better place to start or a test to try before I do anything else?

 

[Sonreir]

What kind of voltages are you getting at 8000 RPM? (Warm the engine up before revving that high).

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Well i never took it past 5000 on the stand. Even on the road I have not been up that high. What can I expect or learn going that high?

 

[Sonreir]

Whether or not the voltages continue to climb past the 13.9V mark.

What you're describing are classic symptoms over a faulty regulator, but 13.9V is not enough to cause any of those problems.

If you don't ever rev the bike up that high (why not?!), then it's possible your problem is intermittent. Suzukis aren't exactly known for their bulletproof electrical systems, so you may want to consider swapping out to a modern regulator/rectifier just as a precautionary measure. Normally I don't advocate replacing parts without verifying that those parts are faulty, but it doesn't sound like a bad idea in your case.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Sonreir

Yeah I can understand the intermittent thing. I think I was just looking for some experienced assurance that I wasn't spitting into the wind.

Not going over the 5000 mark is just a thing. I have been up to 7 or 8000 but not while testing. As well I have the 130 main jets waiting to go in, sitting on my work bench. its one of those things. I just got the bike Certified and legal on the road so was getting used to the change in my riding stance and the feel of the bike before I cranked up the performance. So while riding with Pods and the original jets it keeps me calm enough to appreciate and learn the bike a bit.

I will order the Regulator/rectifier, and get back to you.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

DO NOT ride that bike with pods and the original jets unless you want to melt your exhaust valves or put holes in your pistons.

130 main jets are not big enough for running pods on that bike. You will have to go to at least a 135 or 137.5. It might need as much as 145.

Now, as for your charging system... Go with Electrosport. New stator AND their regulator. Much more reliable, and will have more power available.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

thank-you Dog!