not cranking the engine is a function of amps more then volts, but you can not have one without the other. thats why most tings are measured in watts... (w=a x v)... if you have higher volts you will use less amps, and if you have less volts you will draw higher amps.. thats why for the same work load you can double the voltage and cut the gauge of cable by alot because its the amps thats makes the cables burn out..
one reason buses and big trucks will use a 24v circuit, so they have to pull less amps (actual amps are still considered normal) by using higher volts.. On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 5:01 PM, Pat Patterson <[email protected]> wrote: > 12.3-12.6 could well be the error factor of your meter. Especially if > it's installed. All my checks are done with a $400 fluke. Way way over kill > for automotive/bike applications. That said there is no hard and fast rule > of physics that says it has to be 12.4. I'm sure different combinations of > metals and acids will produce slightly different results. It would seem you > caught me out on a bit of a generalization ;o) > > The 15+v is your charging system replacing the energy used to start the > bike. .7 vs.9 again could be error factor or your regulator might just like > a little more juice. 13.2 is the fall off from 14+. The battery can only > maintain 12ish but when slightly overcharged (theoretical not bad > overcharging that signals a problem.) it'll lose the extra slowly. This is > one of the reasons to jump to a batt instead of the starter or frame. The > Batt acts as a regulator, soaking up some of the extra push. Your charging > system only puts out full volts when it's making enough amps, that is NOT > at idle for very many things. Some 70's cars needed 1500 rpm or more, from > what I've read NH's have a bit of trouble in this area too. At idle you're > actually discharging. On your particular bike if your meter is accurate > you're ok. My 76 Civic was only 10.5v from the alt at 650rpm idle. A long > train with a worn out batt was a problem :o( . In stop and go traffic I had > to pull a little choke to bump the idle up, a very bad method but it > worked. > > > At 01:07 PM 11/18/2011, you wrote: > > Recently, one of our more knowing posters on electrical systems said: > > "12v wet cell battery from a Nighthawk ... will have no more than 12.4 > volts at rest. A > running 12v vehicle will *normally* have 13.2v-14.7v." > > The voltmeter I installed on my hi-miles NH shows anywhere from 12.3-12.6v > parked, then on initial highway speed, first jumps to 15 or even 15.1v, > after a minute dropping to 14.7 to 14.9 for the rest of the ride. except > when stopped at a light, when I see 13.2v. Everything seems to work ok, > but are these readings a sign of trouble to come? And if so, what > components would be suspect? Thanks, > > Jay S > 03 NH750 (113M miles) > South Florida > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. > > ** > > ** Pat Patterson > Abbotsford, BC, Canada > > > 2001 PT Cruiser > 83 450 Honda Nighthawk > 78 F350 460/C6 on propane > 71 Bronco 302/C4/D20 D44/9" > > > Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to > know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads > weren't paved. > > "If you can't take the heat, don't tickle the dragon." > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
