Electronics » High voltage killing batteries?

As I'm now on my 3rd battery in less than four years, I'm wondering if this short battery life is due to the high DC voltage my RS seems to generate. I usually see 14.3-14.5 volts on my dash display (backed up by my Fluke Meter), that is significantly higher than the 13.5-13.9 volts my BMW car and Ducati generate. What voltage is everyone else seeing on their dash? Are many having the the short battery life issue I'm having? My bike is used regularly, and is connected to a trickle charger if not used for weeks at a time. I have the BMW alarm installed, but the measured current draw for this is insignificant when turned on.

Zitat von TimMc im Beitrag #1

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As I'm now on my 3rd battery in less than four years, I'm wondering if this short battery life is due to the high DC voltage my RS seems to generate. I usually see 14.3-14.5 volts on my dash display (backed up by my Fluke Meter), that is significantly higher than the 13.5-13.9 volts my BMW car and Ducati generate. What voltage is everyone else seeing on their dash? Are many having the the short battery life issue I'm having? My bike is used regularly, and is connected to a trickle charger if not used for weeks at a time. I have the BMW alarm installed, but the measured current draw for this is insignificant when turned on.

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Zitat von Bikepirate im Beitrag #2

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Zitat von TimMc im Beitrag #1

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As I'm now on my 3rd battery in less than four years, I'm wondering if this short battery life is due to the high DC voltage my RS seems to generate. I usually see 14.3-14.5 volts on my dash display (backed up by my Fluke Meter), that is significantly higher than the 13.5-13.9 volts my BMW car and Ducati generate. What voltage is everyone else seeing on their dash? Are many having the the short battery life issue I'm having? My bike is used regularly, and is connected to a trickle charger if not used for weeks at a time. I have the BMW alarm installed, but the measured current draw for this is insignificant when turned on.

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Your trickle charger could be the reason. Keeping a battery on constant charge is not a good idea and shortens life. far better to allow it to self discharge for a period (say 4 - 6 weeks) and then recharge it. This cycles the battery and help prevent sulphation of the plates. Also, high ambient temperature is a killer of batteries and they should be kept out of the engine bay in vehicles, but of course the car manufacturers don't give a tinkers cuss !

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Lead acid batteries actually benefit from being cycled for the reasons given.

Battery maintenance in submarines was complex, involving discharging and charging at varying rates. It was critical for their health.

I've had batteries fail when continually left on a trickle charger (Optimate configured for CanBus).

I now leave it off and put it on for a couple of days every few weeks.

I thought that is what the Optimate does? (When connected directly to the battery)

Smart chargers for the marine leisure industry ‘cycle’ the batteries if they are not used for a while to ‘condition’ them.

Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #5

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I thought that is what the Optimate does? (When connected directly to the battery)

Smart chargers for the marine leisure industry ‘cycle’ the batteries if they are not used for a while to ‘condition’ them.

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Zitat von Oscarguitar im Beitrag #5

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I thought that is what the Optimate does? (When connected directly to the battery)

Smart chargers for the marine leisure industry ‘cycle’ the batteries if they are not used for a while to ‘condition’ them.

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Zitat von TimMc im Beitrag #1

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As I'm now on my 3rd battery in less than four years, I'm wondering if this short battery life is due to the high DC voltage my RS seems to generate. I usually see 14.3-14.5 volts on my dash display (backed up by my Fluke Meter), that is significantly higher than the 13.5-13.9 volts my BMW car and Ducati generate. What voltage is everyone else seeing on their dash? Are many having the the short battery life issue I'm having? My bike is used regularly, and is connected to a trickle charger if not used for weeks at a time. I have the BMW alarm installed, but the measured current draw for this is insignificant when turned on.

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And some of us happily leave our bikes on a trickle charger for months at a time (winter) with no problems.

5 years old on original battery.

You do have to look after them.

Zitat von Boxerboy55 im Beitrag #9

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And some of us happily leave our bikes on a trickle charger for months at a time (winter) with no problems.

5 years old on original battery.

You do have to look after them.

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According to the voltage displayed on the instrument panel of my 2016 1200RS my voltage when my engine is running it stays right at 14.2 volts all the time. When I turn off the engine and it sits around for a short time, a voltmeter connected to the battery pigtail shows 13.3 volts.

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #13

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Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #12

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According to the voltage displayed on the instrument panel of my 2016 1200RS my voltage when my engine is running it stays right at 14.2 volts all the time. When I turn off the engine and it sits around for a short time, a voltmeter connected to the battery pigtail shows 13.3 volts.

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if you left the meter attached the voltage would eventually drop to around 12.6V as the capacitors in the voltage regulator discharge and you are left with the charged battery voltage

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Zitat von Boxerboy55 im Beitrag #9

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And some of us happily leave our bikes on a trickle charger for months at a time (winter) with no problems.

5 years old on original battery.

You do have to look after them.

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