battery charging

[phil on a fazer]

Howdy

When you start you bike your battery takes a wack, so the alternator charges the battery as you ride. yeah?so....when does it start charging? does it only start charging at a certain RPM....or time limit...or just straight away?

And also how long would it take the alternator to charge to battery back to 100%?

I was just wondering 

[ghostbiker]

I was allways under the impression that it begins being charged at 3.5 -  4k rpm
never been told that i just kinda assumed it.
as for how long? not a clue but i know if i use the bike for a few short trips a week then in 2 weeks the battery tends to be strugling without a topup in winter ...... as i just found out

[phil on a fazer]

i know if i use the bike for a few short trips a week then in 2 weeks the battery tends to be strugling without a topup in winter ...... as i just found out

yep...same here. thats what got me wondering 

[limax2]

Not specific to the Fazer 1000 but generally it will start charging at not much above tick over speed, say about 1,500 rpm, if you don't have any lights switched on. If you have the lights on it will be at a slightly higher speed because of the extra load. The generator will be producing current as soon as it turns over but will probably only reach it's maximum output at about 4,000 rpm. or more. That doesn't mean it will charge the battery any faster at 4000 revs than at say 2,500 revs because the input to the battery is regulated to protect the battery from too much current.
Just how long it would take to bring a battery back to 100% depends on many factors as well as how low it is to start with. Far instance a good long run in the country side at reasonable speed with few stops will do a lot more good than the same amount of time spent in town with frequent stops at traffic lights and junctions on tickover with brake light on and winkers going and aggressive use of the horn. Thinking about it, a ride in the country side will probably do more good for your personal well being as well. 

[tomjimtom]

max output from the alternator is 30A at 5000RPM if that helps, but as said before, that can be regulated so probably not worth sitting at the lights holding it at 5000...

[Bracechenko]

Well I ride practically straight onto a motorway for a 44 mile ride and sit it at about 6500 revs the whole time....NO wonder my FZS600 battery is still original after 12 years and still fires up first time EVERY time 

As for the FZ1....it spends more time on the Optimate than it does in the bike!!