New here, had a quick charging system question. I'm not new to charging systems on cars, but the bike thing is still relatively new to me.
First off when I bought the bike (3 months ago) it wasn't charging (PO stated that the stator and regulator had been replaced about 6 months ago but due to an injury the bike had just sat since), checked into the notorious plug at the regulator and sure enough a bad connection. Bypassed the plug and everything was peachy.
Then about 2 weeks ago I was riding, stopped to rest for a few and cut the bike off. When I went to restart, nothing. Battery dead. Had it trailered home, didn't think much about it bought a new battery, installed it and checked and this was the first time I noticed it overcharging. Holding steady at 5k RPM it would climb to the 16.xx range. Figured it was a bad regulator so I ordered a replacement from Caltric on ebay (starting to think maybe not the wisest decision I've made). Got the new regulator on, sure enough voltage stabilized around 14.2.
Well, next ride we went on I was about 60 miles in and noticed an odd, almost rotten egg like smell. From my experience with cars I knew pretty instantly it was the battery. Rode to the closest parts store, pulled the seat and borrowed a DMM and sure enough holding steady throttle at 5k RPM voltage just keeps climbing up until it hits 17.xx. Trailered it home again, pulled the regulator and checked the values on the white wire terminals that I had read where supposed to be approximately .490, they where .305/.342/.405 respectively. Messaged Caltric and got him to send me a replacement. Battery had swelled slightly, put it on my maintainer and it seemed to charge up fine.
Installed the replacement, once again voltage issue fixed. While installing it I double checked all connections, replaced the corroded ground with a new one directly to the battery negative, etc. Everything seemed great. Started the bike, let it run for 20 minutes or so periodically checking it, holding 14.2. Rode the bike about 20 miles and checked again, still perfect.
Fast forward to today, 80 miles in to today's ride I start to notice the same smell. Pull off and can actually hear the battery whistling. Cut the bike off, wait on it to cool off and go to turn the key on, completely dead. I'm guessing at this point it zapped the battery. Trailered it home, pulled the seat and sure enough battery is super hot and starting to swell again.
At this point I'm beginning to question my regulator diagnosis, or that maybe these cheap regulators are just total crap despite their good reviews on youtube. Is there ANYTHING else I might be missing before I order an OEM regulator?
Thanks in advance for any help! Super appreciated.
First off when I bought the bike (3 months ago) it wasn't charging (PO stated that the stator and regulator had been replaced about 6 months ago but due to an injury the bike had just sat since), checked into the notorious plug at the regulator and sure enough a bad connection. Bypassed the plug and everything was peachy.
Then about 2 weeks ago I was riding, stopped to rest for a few and cut the bike off. When I went to restart, nothing. Battery dead. Had it trailered home, didn't think much about it bought a new battery, installed it and checked and this was the first time I noticed it overcharging. Holding steady at 5k RPM it would climb to the 16.xx range. Figured it was a bad regulator so I ordered a replacement from Caltric on ebay (starting to think maybe not the wisest decision I've made). Got the new regulator on, sure enough voltage stabilized around 14.2.
Well, next ride we went on I was about 60 miles in and noticed an odd, almost rotten egg like smell. From my experience with cars I knew pretty instantly it was the battery. Rode to the closest parts store, pulled the seat and borrowed a DMM and sure enough holding steady throttle at 5k RPM voltage just keeps climbing up until it hits 17.xx. Trailered it home again, pulled the regulator and checked the values on the white wire terminals that I had read where supposed to be approximately .490, they where .305/.342/.405 respectively. Messaged Caltric and got him to send me a replacement. Battery had swelled slightly, put it on my maintainer and it seemed to charge up fine.
Installed the replacement, once again voltage issue fixed. While installing it I double checked all connections, replaced the corroded ground with a new one directly to the battery negative, etc. Everything seemed great. Started the bike, let it run for 20 minutes or so periodically checking it, holding 14.2. Rode the bike about 20 miles and checked again, still perfect.
Fast forward to today, 80 miles in to today's ride I start to notice the same smell. Pull off and can actually hear the battery whistling. Cut the bike off, wait on it to cool off and go to turn the key on, completely dead. I'm guessing at this point it zapped the battery. Trailered it home, pulled the seat and sure enough battery is super hot and starting to swell again.
At this point I'm beginning to question my regulator diagnosis, or that maybe these cheap regulators are just total crap despite their good reviews on youtube. Is there ANYTHING else I might be missing before I order an OEM regulator?
Thanks in advance for any help! Super appreciated.