06 Mastiff Battery/Starting

[MotoJay]

Aloha, I recently picked up an 06 Mastiff with an SS-117 motor and having issues with the battery staying charged...mainly when out on a long days ride with several shutdown and start ups. I've installed a new battery and still continue to use the battery tender all the time when parked due to near battery drained from normal starting and I ride the bike almost every day...No problems with the temperature draining the battery as I'm in Honolulu. Is there a recommended battery for these big engines, with lots of cranking amps? My apologies if there's already some posts out there on this subject, if so, maybe a point in the right direction- I'm new to the site. Thanks!

 

[Ratman]

VR may not be charging while you are riding. I had that problem with my 07 Mastiff-and there was a recall. Do not know if it was on the 06 models.

 

[woodbutcher]

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical-bulletins-recalls/454-voltage-regulator-recall.html

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/group-buys/22079-braille-battery-group-buy.html

 

[MotoJay]

Thanks Ratman and Woodbutcher, as soon as I get outta work today I'll be checking out the VR...didn't know about the recall.

 

[KnotSo]

Might also want to check your Stator

 

[MotoJay]

VR checked out good, part # is a good one...need to pick up a multimeter and do some stray voltage checks and check the to see if the starter is pulling the power. As of now, the bike is starting fine, just weary of of my next long day ride with lots of shut downs/start ups...thanks again!

 

[KnotSo]

Might want to carry a small set of motorcycle jumper cables in the tool roll to ease the mind

 

[MotoJay]

That's a good idea on the jumper cables...I dropped her off last night to the 5000 mile service, she seemed to be running fine.

 

[barhopper]

That's a good idea on the jumper cables...I dropped her off last night to the 5000 mile service, she seemed to be running fine.

You could have done that service yourself with the help of this site. Save your cash.

 

[MotoJay]

I usually do this sorta stuff myself, but have a bunch of stuff going on and really don't have the time at the moment...

 

[BigDogBro1]

Start at the beginning!

There may be a 40amp circuit breaker or a fuse in-line with the regulator like my 2007.....you need to check it and make sure you are getting 12 volts on both sides of it when measured to ground.

This will indicate that it is good and passing voltage from the regulator to the battery + terminal.

 

[KnotSo]

MotoJay, what was the resolution with this issue?

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Well, for those of you having "electric" charging problems this may help:

To check stator rotor output:
1) disconnect the stator plug
2) start bike
3) set multimeter to VAC
4) read across the stator plug (one probe in each hole)
5) have someone rev the bike up to 2000-3000 RPM
6) stator/rotor output should be 16-20 VAC per 1000 RPM

To check for a shorted or grounded stator:
1) set multimeter to "ohms"
2) read across the stator plug
3) resistance should be 0.2-0.3 ohms
4) now check each stator pin to ground
5) should have no continuity
7) reconnect stator plug

To check voltage regulator function:
1) set multimeter to VDC
2) check battery voltage...12.5-13.0 VDC
(if the battery isn't fully charged, this test is useless)
3) start bike
4) hold the red lead of the multimeter to the positive post of the battery and the black lead to the negative post.
5) increase engine RPM to at least 2000 RPM
6) multimeter will show regulator charging rate which should be 14.2-14.6 VDC. A brand new fully charged battery will sometimes only indicate 14.0 VDC, anything above 14.6 VDC is cooking the battery

your welcome..... and only 1 rep point....

 

[Tall Mike]

Well, for those of you having "electric" charging problems this may help:

To check stator rotor output:
1) disconnect the stator plug
2) start bike
3) set multimeter to VAC
4) read across the stator plug (one probe in each hole)
5) have someone rev the bike up to 2000-3000 RPM
6) stator/rotor output should be 16-20 VAC per 1000 RPM

To check for a shorted or grounded stator:
1) set multimeter to "ohms"
2) read across the stator plug
3) resistance should be 0.2-0.3 ohms
4) now check each stator pin to ground
5) should have no continuity
7) reconnect stator plug

To check voltage regulator function:
1) set multimeter to VDC
2) check battery voltage...12.5-13.0 VDC
(if the battery isn't fully charged, this test is useless)
3) start bike
4) hold the red lead of the multimeter to the positive post of the battery and the black lead to the negative post.
5) increase engine RPM to at least 2000 RPM
6) multimeter will show regulator charging rate which should be 14.2-14.6 VDC. A brand new fully charged battery will sometimes only indicate 14.0 VDC, anything above 14.6 VDC is cooking the battery

your welcome..... and only 1 rep point....

awesome.. :2thumbs: