XR battery voltage

[Salish1000]

My experience with 12V batteries includes not only cars, but a lot of knowledge about marine 12V systems. For reasons I cannot figure out, the battery on my XR, whether new or not, charges at a normal 14+ volts but then sits well below 12.8V. In fact, it is often below 12.4V. I don't have any drains I know of, but this is highly unusual for a 12V system. My marine batteries will sit at 12.8 for weeks, slowly going down to 12.7 and so forth. Cars will typically do the same. 12.7 is fine for a battery that has sat for a few days. I seriously doubt there is anything unique about the XR in this regard but have to ask. I've had two batteries in the bike and both have been like this. It starts alright if it hasn't sat for more than a week or so, but after that, needs a jump.

[serge1966]

Just checked mine... Hasn't run for over a week and just turning the ignition (with lights coming on due to dark garage) sitting at 12.6V
Changed to a lithium battery a few years ago after the original died a sudden death.
Never had any issues with starting up, even after 4 weeks away for work.
Not sure what the issue you're having might be 

[Mareng1]

Do you have an alarm or tracker fitted?

If so - there’s your prime candidate(s)

[Salish1000]

Originally Posted by Mareng1

Do you have an alarm or tracker fitted?

If so - there’s your prime candidate(s)

Good question. No alarm or tracker. I have a wired to battery bluetooth screen that I use to talk to my phone for navigation but I remove that off the bike when I'm not using it. So nothing unusual aside from having Clearwater lights and a power commander with the full Akra exhaust. I'm hoping to not have to become a better electrician and take my multimeter to all the connections to see where I am draining juice. What I'm gathering is that other people find their XR batteries sitting around 12.7 or so when not in use a few days.

It's quite a simple system, in principle. Charging above 14V? Good. Battery should charge to a solid 12.8V? Good. Anything lowering that voltage in the battery quickly is either a dead battery or a drain on the system. I must have a system drain somewhere since the battery is new.

[Salish1000]

Just checked and my battery is sitting at 12.4 and I rode it 100 miles yesterday.

[Mareng1]

‘Wired to battery Bluetooth screen’


When you say you remove it from the bike- have you left in place a 12v to 5v regulator in place?   OR - does it operate at 12v and all you leave are tails and a plug?

[Salish1000]

Originally Posted by Mareng1

‘Wired to battery Bluetooth screen’


When you say you remove it from the bike- have you left in place a 12v to 5v regulator in place?   OR - does it operate at 12v and all you leave are tails and a plug?

I'm only removing the screen unit, the head unit, from the mounting place where it connects with contacts that power the unit. I don't know if it is 12V or has a regulator in the system. I don't recall from when I did the installation. In any case, the problem existed before I installed this unit, so I'm certain the problem lies elsewhere.