Alternator not charing fully?

[tomjimtom]

Hi,
Another electricity related question...
I've read in my haynes manual (and on here) that my voltage across the battery terminals at 5000rpm should be about 14.5v
It's only 13.5v I've checked all the wires and connections that I can see.
Using the guide in the Haynes manual, I've tested the alternator and the resistance is slightly higher than it should be across all the connections but that's the only issue I could see. Would this account for the lower voltage?
My fazer is the 04 one, so lights are on with the engine, would this drop the voltage to 13.5v?

Thanks everyone, google hasn't thrown up anything, I reckon this site's saved me a good amount of money (and blood pressure)

Tom

[Falcon 269]

Take a look at this, Tom:

http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/eskortsdefectiveconnectorreplacement.shtml

Could be corroded connector is lowering the charging voltage to the battery.

[tomjimtom]

I changed that connector over christmas Mike, so hopefully it's not that!
The new connector was what I went to straight away, but I'm getting nil resistance over all of them, (measuring from the wires) and it's not getting hot or anything so as far as I can tell, the connectors are good

Tom

[sadlonelygit]

my 2003 (lights on model) is 13.4@5k lights on and 13.7 lights off (i've fitted a proper switch)

hth

[Falcon 269]

I changed that connector over christmas Mike, so hopefully it's not that!
Tom

That's good, then, Tom.

Don't know where Haynes gets 14.5v at 5k rpm from.  I've just checked the Yamaha Workshop manual and that says 14.0v at 5k rpm.

So long as you're not suffering obvious signs of low voltage I'd say 13.5v is good enough for government work.

[tomjimtom]

Oh good, thanks both!

I only asked because I had some starting problems over the weekend (I commute on the bike now - no car) but after charging the battery there's no problem... I'll keep an eye on it.. but it wouldn't start as soon as I turned engine off, suggesting charging issues..
Thanks again
Tom

[pitternator]

given that this spring has not just been wettest on record, but IMO its also the coldest ( on  average) this may be affecting your battery.My bikes live in a cosy relatively warm garage , but any bike in unheated garage/ shed or even outside will have to stand whats now been a very long period of cool temps...which dont help battery life one bit.

[tomjimtom]

Hmm, I wish Pitt, Unfortunately, I've just got a new battery (recommended on this site) which came fully charged.
I've been riding it every day (ish) since start of March... It seems fine now, and thinking about it, it sounded like it was struggling to start for a few days before, so maybe the charge just isn't quite enough to 'top up' the battery (only 10 miles to work )

[PieEater]

What have you got your idle speed set at? When Mike Ivanised mine he told me to set the idle at about 13500 - 14000 rather than the 1200 I had it on and said that idling a bit faster helps with charging the battery.

[Falcon 269]

I think the Honourable Gentleman has misquoted by a quite signficant amount ...

[mcyoungy]

................by a factor...................

[PieEater]

................by a factor...................

You were there were you 

[PieEater]

I think the Honourable Gentleman has misquoted by a quite signficant amount ...

Sorry about that Mike, you deffinately did tell me to raise my idle speed though and I thought you said that was the reason, if not can you remind me what the reason was.

[ghostbiker]

Pie I think your missing the joke, you added an extra 0 so its way past redline.
We know what you MENT but its not what you typed
I don't know the actual reasons behind the slightly higher tickover but I run mine a little higher than 1.2 k but don't remember what its set to offhand.

It was I think mike that set it higher than it was originally when he did the full monty. But could be wrong on that as it was a few years ago now LOL.

[Falcon 269]

  1300 - 1350 is good.  Helps pick-up from a closed throttle and also keeps oil pressure and charging a bit higher at idle.