My 95 f3 has a radar detector on it (escort passport 8500x50) it has a setting for a voltage meter and I run the same thing in my car. I always see 14.4 in my car and that is correct.
I notice on my bike ESPECIALLY in idle it is always beeping LOW VOLT. I have put the kickstand down while it ran and watched the meter. it stays at like 11.6 ish and when revved up will go to around 13.8 ish. I know of 2 problems. Stator or regulator rectifier. I do know 12V really well, but I don't really know how to tell which one is going out. I assume the regulator since the stator does output a charge. If you have delt with this let me know so I can fix it. It looks like the regulator is a cinch to replace. Is there a good way to test it properly? I do have a meter that I can use for continuity or voltage readout. I would not know which of the wires to probe though. I'd like to just replace the problem and get some riding done. Thanks

 

With everything unplugged use your voltmeter to check voltage at the battery while idling and then rev up to 5K rpm and check again. From what I'm reading I don't see any problem. The charging system puts out very little juice (exspecially at idle) so if you're getting high 11s at idle then that is very close. 13.8V at above 5K rpms sounds spot on as well.

 

Your bike is fine!

You don't charge until 2,000RPM+

You'll see your headlight brighten as you rev from idle past 2k

 

You said with everything unpluged then use voltmeter. Kinda unsure of exactly what you want me to unhook so I can get a better diagnosic. I thank you for your post. If you say you don't see a problem then I guess it is more common. I am just so baffled that a 12 volt battery with 6 cells, 2.1 volts in each cell = 12.6 volts won't at least stay at 12.6 at idle speed. I don't want to increase my idle and I do have L.E.D. lights but they are not plugged in. I just don't want to be the poor sob stuck in the middle of nowhere and calling someone to MAYBE pick me up. I love my bike but I also have a temper so I just hope that it runs fine and the charging system does not fail near a bridge over water because I might be tempted LOL
I am all ears for anyone else that may have another solution or some kind of modification. Thanks a lot chainstretcher you have been a big help.

 

At Idle your bike does not charge. I had the same issue. My rectifier went out.. Ebay...

 

you also have to account for the draw of the ignition when the bike is idling, as the r/r isn't really doing anything until you get above 2k. Check the link for electrical system diagnostics on the regulator/rectifier, and follow the flowchart. Mine wouldn't act up until it was warm, then it would stop charging, and would draw on the battery when the ignition was turned off.

http://www.offwidth.co.uk/bike/gener...lt_finding.pdf

Thats what I used, very helpful.

 

Sorry for not being real clear. By unplugged I meant the radar detector and any extra doodads you might have on the bike that are drawing amperage. Then hook the voltmeter to the battery (off) crank and let idle and just watch the voltmeter for a minute or so. Even though you aren't charging very much at idle the battery shouldn't start losing voltage.

So if the battery is at 11.6V when you crank it and it stays there for 5 minutes at idle AND you rev to 5k RPMs and the voltage goes up to 13.8V then your charging system is doing what it's supposed to.

But if you are at 11.6V and in 5 minutes at idle you are at 11.4V or less then get a manual and check the R/R and the stator because you should at least maintain at idle.

 

Thanks for the pdf file liquid_insanity it will come handy.

Thanks for the clearing that up chainstretcher, I had a thought that that was what you meant. I'll unplug the radar detector and dim my aftermarket gauges down all the way. I will do what you said. I'll post after the check and hopefully just shout out a thank you and it is working properly.