average battery voltage

[shuluke]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone knows what the average voltage our bikes see? I know we have a 12 volt battery, but with the alternator running, what are we looking at? 13.8
Or so? When does the alternator run any rpm over 5000? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Shuluke

[simon79]

13.8 V with engine running is A-OK.

[shuluke]

Ok thanks. Is it usually at 13.8 or rarely there?

[gsJack]

It seems to vary with demand, if the battery needs more charge after starting you get more at lower rpm's.  I did this one day when we were talking about it:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40477.msg455077#msg455077

According to this test proceedure posted by John Bates you should be getting higher than 13.5 volts at 2500 rpm and lower than 15.5 volts at 5000 rpm with a fully charged battery.

http://www.bbburma.net/Documents/JohnBates_ChargingCircuitTests3.pdf