Battery Bug = Good

Dieselboy · 05-31-2012, 03:33 AM

I'm mid-ride between Florida and New York and notice that the battery bug is reading lower than normal numbers for running voltage. I'm seeing 13.3v at speed and 13.8v at idle. My battery was showing 12.2v in the morning before start up and caused the precipitous "hmmmmm".....

So after pondering this for a few hundred miles, I considered it an issue. Had to go through the stages of motorcycle repair:

deny (the diagnosis),

delay (the decision),

despair (about repair), and finally-

act.

Carolina BMW Greensboro, NC was the closest help and they took care of it. I called ahead and rolled in. They confirmed the problem as the regulator and pulled a part from a bike to get me rolling.

Thanks Joe and Drew.

GB · 05-31-2012, 06:25 AM

A voltmeter like the Battery Bug is definitely worth adding to the GS. I have one and I keep my eye on it when riding

Glad it saved you and you got great service.

Apostolos · 05-31-2012, 09:19 AM

Glad it worked out for you.

That's why I put the battery bug on sometime ago.

You've got to know what's going on down there with these peculiar charging systems on our bikes. Also, the battery bug has some useful additional features as well, and I like the backlit on the new versions.

God bless,
David

Dieselboy · 05-31-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostolos

... I like the backlit on the new versions...

I'm getting condensation on the inside of the screen. I'm a little peeved but this gives me an excuse to get a new one with backlighting.

SQ Beemer · 05-31-2012, 02:22 PM

Is this what you guys are talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NV7OBE/...hvptwo=&hvqmt=

dvfisher · 05-31-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SQ Beemer

Is this what you guys are talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NV7OBE/...hvptwo=&hvqmt=

Yes, but there is also one for motorcycles where the positive and negative wires are together in one cable coming out the right side of the Battery Bug. It is much easier to connect to the battery as the cable is a few feet long. I have one on my bike and love it. Great way to monitor battery/charging voltage.

Edit - This is the one you want http://www.argusanalyzers.com/batter...analyzers.html It's the BB-SBM12-PS. The PS stands for power sports like motorcycles and jetskis.

Dave

'Flagger · 05-31-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselboy

They confirmed the problem as the regulator and pulled a part from a bike to get me rolling.

Thanks Joe and Drew.

any idea if that's one of the newish regulators that address the abnormal voltage patterns evident on most F800GS'?

SQ Beemer · 05-31-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvfisher

Yes, but there is also one for motorcycles where the positive and negative wires are together in one cable coming out the right side of the Battery Bug. It is much easier to connect to the battery as the cable is a few feet long. I have one on my bike and love it. Great way to monitor battery/charging voltage.

Edit - This is the one you want http://www.argusanalyzers.com/batter...analyzers.html It's the BB-SBM12-PS. The PS stands for power sports like motorcycles and jetskis.

Dave

Thanks!

Dieselboy · 05-31-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Flagger

any idea if that's one of the newish regulators that address the abnormal voltage patterns evident on most F800GS'?

I can't say but, I like what I am seeing. Running voltage reads between 14.1 and 14.5. Which is higher than anything I've seen off my original.

Apostolos · 05-31-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselboy

I can't say but, I like what I am seeing. Running voltage reads between 14.1 and 14.5. Which is higher than anything I've seen off my original.

Is that idle or actual running voltage?

Mine usually runs around 3.8 and idles between 4.1 and 4.4.

FredRydr · 06-03-2012, 04:25 AM

The voltmeter is great, but what is the meaning of "47%" displayed on the Battery Bug? Is it a gimmick, or is it an accurate reflection of the life of my battery? My battery was tested at the shop and it's fine.

I'll get off my lazy ass and look for a Battery Bug manual online.

Fred

P.S.: http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6files/...nersmanual.pdf

Dieselboy · 06-03-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostolos

Is that idle or actual running voltage?

Mine usually runs around 3.8 and idles between 4.1 and 4.4.

That's running voltage.

Dieselboy · 06-03-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredRydr

The voltmeter is great, but what is the meaning of "47%" displayed on the Battery Bug? Is it a gimmick, or is it an accurate reflection of the life of my battery? My battery was tested at the shop and it's fine.

I'll get off my lazy ass and look for a Battery Bug manual online.

Fred

P.S.: http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6files/...nersmanual.pdf

I believe it is a measure of the lowest start up health. Last start up is marked by the flashing bar. My battery currently reads 30%.

It has read lower. Happens when you start up, shut off, start up in quick sequence. Disconnect from the battery and reconnect. If it is still reading low you have an issue.

Indy Unlimited · 06-03-2012, 05:31 PM

I carry a spare alternator and regulator on long trips. I too run the battery voltage indicator and it is very reliable to detect the difference from high 13s to low 13s.

mustardfj40 · 06-03-2012, 06:07 PM

Hi, can you post a pic or two of where you place the display? Thanks.

05-31-2012, 03:33 AM	#1
Dieselboy ^OP Journey not Destination Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Port of the Gasparilla Oddometer: 1,004	Battery Bug = Good I'm mid-ride between Florida and New York and notice that the battery bug is reading lower than normal numbers for running voltage. I'm seeing 13.3v at speed and 13.8v at idle. My battery was showing 12.2v in the morning before start up and caused the precipitous "hmmmmm"..... So after pondering this for a few hundred miles, I considered it an issue. Had to go through the stages of motorcycle repair: deny (the diagnosis), delay (the decision), despair (about repair), and finally- act. Carolina BMW Greensboro, NC was the closest help and they took care of it. I called ahead and rolled in. They confirmed the problem as the regulator and pulled a part from a bike to get me rolling. Thanks Joe and Drew. __________________ Dieselboy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Adventure Continues

05-31-2012, 06:25 AM	#2
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,454	A voltmeter like the Battery Bug is definitely worth adding to the GS. I have one and I keep my eye on it when riding Glad it saved you and you got great service. __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

06-03-2012, 04:25 AM	#11
FredRydr Danger: Keep Back 500 Ft. Joined: Aug 2005 Location: South-Central Pennsylvania USA Oddometer: 997	The voltmeter is great, but what is the meaning of "47%" displayed on the Battery Bug? Is it a gimmick, or is it an accurate reflection of the life of my battery? My battery was tested at the shop and it's fine. I'll get off my lazy ass and look for a Battery Bug manual online. Fred P.S.: http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6files/...nersmanual.pdf FredRydr screwed with this post 06-03-2012 at 05:02 AM Reason: added link

06-03-2012, 05:31 PM	#14
Indy Unlimited Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Parker, CO Oddometer: 1,120	I carry a spare alternator and regulator on long trips. I too run the battery voltage indicator and it is very reliable to detect the difference from high 13s to low 13s. __________________ Current Stable: 2013 Ducati Hypermotard SP, 2011 Husaberg FE570S, 2011 BMW S1000RR, 2010 BMW F800GS 2007 Husqvarna TE610 , 2003 KTM 525 MXC

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05-31-2012, 09:19 AM	#3
Apostolos Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2010 Location: The Sierras Oddometer: 388	Glad it worked out for you. That's why I put the battery bug on sometime ago. You've got to know what's going on down there with these peculiar charging systems on our bikes. Also, the battery bug has some useful additional features as well, and I like the backlit on the new versions. God bless, David

05-31-2012, 02:22 PM	#5
SQ Beemer Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Santa Monica, CA Oddometer: 101	Is this what you guys are talking about? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NV7OBE/...hvptwo=&hvqmt=

06-03-2012, 06:07 PM	#15
mustardfj40 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Siicon Valley, California Oddometer: 119	Hi, can you post a pic or two of where you place the display? Thanks.