Newbie with a charging/battery question.

dab-123 · 05-04-2011, 08:49 PM

I have developed a problem with my 2001 gz250. The last two times I have ridden the bike the battery runs down while I'm riding. I charge the battery with my battery tender until fully charged, but the next time I ride the battery will die and the bike will quit running when the battery completely dies. I suspect the stator, and was wondering where the best place to get a stator is, what they will cost, and how hard they are to replace? I'm fairly mechanically minded and good with my hands, I just don't have much experience working on bikes, as I have only been riding for about a year.Any advice is appreciated.

5th_bike · 05-04-2011, 09:16 PM

From what I recall reading here it could also be the rectifier.

I never dealt with this so I hope you can figure it out. And welcome to the forum !

blaine · 05-04-2011, 09:30 PM

I would get the regulator (rectifier) checked first.

:cool:

Water Warrior 2 · 05-05-2011, 12:50 AM

I 2nd the rectifier suggestion.

mole2 · 05-05-2011, 02:33 AM

+3 on the rectifier.

mrlmd1 · 05-05-2011, 06:31 PM

You can check your charging system to see if that's the problem before you start ripping into the bike and shotgun replacing items that may be fine.
First off, check that your battery connections are clean and tight - if they have vibrated loose you may have a bad connection and not be charging.
Charge it up again and start it up, measure the voltage at the battery with the engine at mid rpm speed. You should get 13.5-14.5 V at the battery if the charging system is OK and the battery is good and able to accept a charge.

How and with what are you charging it, what is the resting voltage after the battery sits overnight before you try and start the bike, and what does it drop to when you hit the starter button? How old is the battery, how was it stored over the winter? Answer those questions before you do anything else.
I would hasten a guess that your battery is bad and not your charging system.

And welcome to the group.

blaine · 05-05-2011, 06:40 PM

Even if the battery is bad,once running the bike should continue running if it is charging. His bike is stalling as soon as the battery goes dead,indicating a charging problem.

:cool:

dab-123 · 05-05-2011, 07:12 PM

Thanks to all who have replied. I seem to be getting the same advice everywhere. Check battery and charging voltage before preceding. I will get it checked and go from there.
Thanks again.

b1pig · 05-10-2011, 10:52 PM

if the alternator isnt putting juice out.. the old "easy" way was to fire it up and disconnect the ground from the battery. if the bike shuts off........................................

the battery is fine.
you have other problems. either rectifier or alt/gen. in this case, like the others said, rectifier.

Strelok · 05-21-2011, 06:42 AM

It is best to charge Motorcycle batteries with a Charger using a 1-2 Amp setting.

05-04-2011, 08:49 PM	#1
dab-123 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fayetteville TN Posts: 3	Newbie with a charging/battery question. I have developed a problem with my 2001 gz250. The last two times I have ridden the bike the battery runs down while I'm riding. I charge the battery with my battery tender until fully charged, but the next time I ride the battery will die and the bike will quit running when the battery completely dies. I suspect the stator, and was wondering where the best place to get a stator is, what they will cost, and how hard they are to replace? I'm fairly mechanically minded and good with my hands, I just don't have much experience working on bikes, as I have only been riding for about a year.Any advice is appreciated. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-04-2011, 09:16 PM	#2
5th_bike Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HoCo, Maryland Posts: 1,349	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. From what I recall reading here it could also be the rectifier. I never dealt with this so I hope you can figure it out. And welcome to the forum ! __________________ 2005 "Saturn Black", stock + tach
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05-04-2011, 09:30 PM	#3
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. I would get the regulator (rectifier) checked first. :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-05-2011, 12:50 AM	#4
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. I 2nd the rectifier suggestion.
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05-05-2011, 02:33 AM	#5
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. +3 on the rectifier. __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-05-2011, 06:31 PM	#6
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. You can check your charging system to see if that's the problem before you start ripping into the bike and shotgun replacing items that may be fine. First off, check that your battery connections are clean and tight - if they have vibrated loose you may have a bad connection and not be charging. Charge it up again and start it up, measure the voltage at the battery with the engine at mid rpm speed. You should get 13.5-14.5 V at the battery if the charging system is OK and the battery is good and able to accept a charge. How and with what are you charging it, what is the resting voltage after the battery sits overnight before you try and start the bike, and what does it drop to when you hit the starter button? How old is the battery, how was it stored over the winter? Answer those questions before you do anything else. I would hasten a guess that your battery is bad and not your charging system. And welcome to the group.
	0

05-05-2011, 06:40 PM	#7
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. Even if the battery is bad,once running the bike should continue running if it is charging. His bike is stalling as soon as the battery goes dead,indicating a charging problem. :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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05-05-2011, 07:12 PM	#8
dab-123 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fayetteville TN Posts: 3	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. Thanks to all who have replied. I seem to be getting the same advice everywhere. Check battery and charging voltage before preceding. I will get it checked and go from there. Thanks again.
	0

05-10-2011, 10:52 PM	#9
b1pig Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: ray city, ga Posts: 121	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. if the alternator isnt putting juice out.. the old "easy" way was to fire it up and disconnect the ground from the battery. if the bike shuts off........................................ the battery is fine. you have other problems. either rectifier or alt/gen. in this case, like the others said, rectifier.
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05-21-2011, 06:42 AM	#10
Strelok Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 143	Re: Newbie with a charging/battery question. It is best to charge Motorcycle batteries with a Charger using a 1-2 Amp setting.
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