XS650 charging issues and battery lifespan...

OdysseusXS

XS650 padawan
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Hey everybody,
I have spent a bit of time giving my XS some attention as far as the electrics go. So far I have replaced the carbon brushes, cleaned the slip rings on the stator (I think that's what it's called). I have replaced the regulator and ignition coil. Re-built the ignition leads and replaced the spark plug caps. My XS is an 82 Heritage Special (TCI ignition). I know these bikes have a rep for not really charging until they are doing something more than 1500 rpm when running a stock setup. Nevertheless, my battery seems to last about 3 years maybe four. I have done the slap test and she pulls a screwdriver to the case quick. What am I missing? Headlights brighten up noticeably when you blip the throttle at the lights. To lessen the load on the system I replaced all the licence plate bulbs and brake lights with led bulbs. I should also mention that I have replaced the less than impressive fuse box and cleaned and tightened the ground wire coming off the negative terminal of the battery. Am I correct in assuming that this is as good as they get when stock charging hardware is used? Is a HHB pma the only way to put some holy fire into this bike? Cheers, Ody
 
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Hey Mate---It sounds like you have "tuned up" your electric system. I think you should incorporate a volt meter on your bike. Then you get a better idea of how much it is charging. To me your note sounds like your bike is charging , there for I would not consider a PMA at this time. The fact that your battery lasts "only" 3 or 4 years I think is acceptable. Batteries take a lot of abuse with vibrations etc. on our bikes. Good luck.

tim
 
I would consider 3/4 YRS from a battery acceptable. I have had a couple of lead acid batteries recently that have only lasted just over a year, although more expensive I now use MotoBat AGM batteries.
Having said that, I recycled a pair of panel type batteries from my in-laws stairlift, must be 10+ YRS old and they are still going strong.
 
Thanks for the response, I appreciate the feedback. Guess I'm just being a bit of a tight-wad about springing for a new battery . I do have a voltmeter for the bike. I just haven't found a decent spot to fit it to yet. With all this corona virus business I have the time to play with that now.
 
The AGMs are nice but what I don't like about them is they give no warning when they are about to fail. They work pretty much like new right up to the day they die, lol. With the old lead acid types, you noticed them getting weaker, not cranking as well, and knew a replacement was in the cards soon. Lead acid battery prices have gone up and AGM prices have come down so now there isn't much difference between the two. I use all AGMs now, but I have invested in a couple sets of motorcycle jumper cables to carry along with me in case of battery failure. Then if the battery fails, I can jump the bike and keep it running by keeping the revs up, and get back home, lol.
 
Is a HHB pma the only way to put some holy fire into this bike?
Since you're running the original TCI iggy, you'll need to replace that also if you go PMA since the trigger is on the rotor. It'll get spendy real quick.
Sounds to me like your charging is normal. I'd leave it alone... other than the voltmeter.
cleaned the slip rings on the stator (I think that's what it's called).
Rotors rotate, stators are stationary. ;)
 
I'm going to assume your '82 came with the little "beauty" cover over the handlebar clamps? If so then your center bolt on the top of the triple tree is flat topped and has a hole drilled and tapped into it. This makes the perfect spot for mounting a little voltmeter. See post 79 here for details .....

http://www.xs650.com/threads/200-special.51454/page-4
 
I am going to be the devil’s advocate and say get a lithium battery. They are smaller weigh a lot less and hold a charge when the bike has been sitting for a period of time. I have had zero issues since I installed my lithium battery almost a year ago. (May 1st to be exact) Also it had more cold cranking amps than the AGM battery I replaced for the lithium. I have been running the stock charging system before someone says the two aren’t compatible.
 
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I use a small 4 cell Ballistic lithium battery with a PMA and it has been working fine for over three years. I know you are told not to mix the two but I did not know this until after I was running both of them. Probably should not have mentioned this because Murphy's Law will "let the smoke out" next week.....

tim
 
Hey everybody,
I have spent a bit of time giving my XS some attention as far as the electrics go. So far I have replaced the carbon brushes, cleaned the slip rings on the stator (I think that's what it's called). I have replaced the regulator and ignition coil. Re-built the ignition leads and replaced the spark plug caps. My XS is an 82 Heritage Special (TCI ignition). I know these bikes have a rep for not really charging until they are doing something more than 1500 rpm when running a stock setup. Nevertheless, my battery seems to last about 3 years maybe four. I have done the slap test and she pulls a screwdriver to the case quick. What am I missing? Headlights brighten up noticeably when you blip the throttle at the lights. To lessen the load on the system I replaced all the licence plate bulbs and brake lights with led bulbs. I should also mention that I have replaced the less than impressive fuse box and cleaned and tightened the ground wire coming off the negative terminal of the battery. Am I correct in assuming that this is as good as they get when stock charging hardware is used? Is a HHB pma the only way to put some holy fire into this bike? Cheers, Ody

Hi Ody,
a PMA swap? That's a whole bunch of money to spend on a worse than stock charging system that won't fix your battery's longevity problem.
3 to 4 years is GOOD for an XS650 battery's life (despite the rubber mounted battery carrier it's the engine's vibration that does 'em in.)
and the 1,500 rpm throttle blip brightening is the only charge test you really need.
 
'Nuff said, time to spring for a new voltaic pile before the dark Australian winter descends! It can sometimes get as cold as 5 degrees Celsius here in South Australia. Just joking, I spent 4 years in British Columbia as a kid, I have seen what happens to batteries when the temp starts to fall.
 
Volt meter is a must on these bikes. Good thing I had one cause my aftermarket rotor resistance dropped to 0 and wasnt charging. Was able to see voltage and shut off headlight and made my way back home. Heck even put one on my Roadstar.
 
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