Charge never over 13,2V - normal?

Hello fellow GRiSO Riders

just bought a GRiSO 1100 a few days ago (2006, first owner, 11k miles, Zard exhaust, K&N). It's my first 'modern' Guzzi. Pretty impressive performance compared to my T3 California and the LeMansIII that I used to posses.

One question though: is it normal that the charge is never higher than 13.2V? At least in town between idle and 3-3.500 revs? The battery is an AGM type and new.

I am aware that Guzzis of the same era suffer from not starting at all under 12.0V if I am not wrong.

Any advise appreciated.

Cheers
Tom

Tom,

13.2 is about "average" if you are talking about at the battery - if at the dash reading, then that is super good. Generally lose about 0.8V between battery and dash. You may get higher by working with your earths...

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:

Tom,

13.2 is about "average" if you are talking about at the battery - if at the dash reading, then that is super good. Generally lose about 0.8V between battery and dash. You may get higher by working with your earths...

Thanks a lot Tony.

Yes, I meant at the dash.
Now that you say I will take a multimeter and compare what it shows at the battery.

How do you mean working with my earth? Do you mean cleaning maintaining them with WD40 or similar?

On another note: I wonder how to check engine oil level with no central stand. Is my first Guzzi without one.
Of course I can ask someone to hold the bike straight whilst I am checking the level

Cheers
Tom

Very easy to check the oil. Get someone to help you, once. Check it upright with the stick just sitting square on the threads. Ensure the level is no more than half way between the 'Add' and 'Full' marks. When you know it's right bung it on the side stand and check it again. That's it's 'Full' mark on the side stand. Mark the stick accordingly and never have to worry about all that 'Holding it upright' nonsense ever again.

Pete

Pete Roper wrote:

Very easy to check the oil. Get someone to help you, once. Check it upright with the stick just sitting square on the threads. Ensure the level is no more than half way between the 'Add' and 'Full' marks. When you know it's right bung it on the side stand and check it again. That's it's 'Full' mark on the side stand. Mark the stick accordingly and never have to worry about all that 'Holding it upright' nonsense ever again.

Pete

Thanks Pete. That indeed makes sense.
Cheers
Tom

Here's a question. Not on our GRiSO, but on the Stelvio. At start up, the voltage on the dash is about 12.2-12-5. It stays there until I give it its first rev about a about 2000 rpm and then it settles in at its normal 13.4-13.6 even at idle.

Do you think this is a sign that the voltage regulator in the alternator is getting wonky? The only reason I noticed it at all is that one morning while I was letting it warm up (it's cold here now) I noticed the lights were not as bright as normal. When I blipped the throttel they returned to their normal brightness and stayed.

Is it possible that it was always like this and didn't notice it?

grazie mille!

Probably the voltage represents the battery state immediately after you started it. I too notice this on mine. After a start the battery needs to be recharged ready for the next go. I would imagine all is good - however batteries only have a finite life, so keep an eye on it...

But it doesn't seem to change until I rev it the first time. If I didn't rev it, it would sit at 12.2-12-5 until I did.

I don't think it's a big issue Doug. It just needs a bit more speed to get it excited enough to start charging and then once it is charging it will continue to do so.

Pete

That is not normal. My GRiSO is charging 13,2-13,5V (depending on battery state) also on idle speed immediately after starting, no need to rev up.
It could that the brushes start to age inside the alternator or any type of bad contact anywhere in the charging circuit.
However, if it shows 12,2-12.5V on the dash that's around 0,5V better if measured directly on the battery, hence not a catastrophe, as it is still charging your battery between 12,7-13,0V. But keep an eye on it.

WCB wrote:

Here's a question. Not on our GRiSO, but on the Stelvio. At start up, the voltage on the dash is about 12.2-12-5. It stays there until I give it its first rev about a about 2000 rpm and then it settles in at its normal 13.4-13.6 even at idle.

Do you think this is a sign that the voltage regulator in the alternator is getting wonky? The only reason I noticed it at all is that one morning while I was letting it warm up (it's cold here now) I noticed the lights were not as bright as normal. When I blipped the throttel they returned to their normal brightness and stayed.

Is it possible that it was always like this and didn't notice it?

grazie mille!

I suspect the brushes are getting tired. The bike now has about 82,000 miles on it, and I run heated gear often as well as higher powered aux lights, intercom systems, chargers, etc.

They're cheap enough, I think I'll just replace the alternator over the winter, unless of course they're serviceable and I can replace the brushes....