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ZXR250C battery keeps going flat.

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Rose, Sep 3, 2014.

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  1. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    I ride my bike every day and recently my ZXR's battery has been going flat quite quickly.
    I use to have to charge it about once a month but over the last few days it has been playing up and i have had to charge it every few days.
    So i gave the battery an overnight charge, the next day i went over a bump and the bike just died, and would not start again, the battery was too flat to start. So i connected the bike to another battery and it started first time and ran very smooth. So i figured maybe its just the battery so i checked it out and the acid was pretty low, so i got a brand new battery. and it went well for a couple of days, but then on my way home i stopped at a red light, i had my indicator on and she just died. and would start again because the battery was too flat.
    again started fine when i jump started her.

    so i know its definitely not the battery.

    i figure that the charging system must not be working.
    after reading the manual i figure its something like the regulator/rectifier or the alternator, does this sound right to you guys?
    i was talking to someone about it and they said it might be the solenoid?
    I'm a student and don't really have the money to take it into a workshop, so i hope this is something i can fix myself.

    do you guys have any recommendations on what i should look out for to fix this, any tips, or ideas on what is wrong here? thing to test etc.

    cheers.
     
    Rose, Sep 3, 2014
    #1
  2. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    If u can get hold of a multimeter (pretty cheap to buy) then run these tests .....

    http://2fiftycc.com/index.php?threads/how-do-i-test-my-12-volt-battery-and-charging-system.1794/

    Beforehand though I would do a check of the wiring between all the 'charging' components .....battery, stator , RR
    Make sure the connectors on the battery leads are clean and shiny

    If u look here at my C model wiring/plug at the RR u can see wat can happen .... they get VERY hot
    (make sure the RR is clean also as the fins are for cooling)

    http://2fiftycc.com/index.php?threads/i-have-gone-over-to-the-dark-side-zxrc.1949/page-4#post-17296
     
    GreyImport, Sep 3, 2014
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  3. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    thanks for the advice, i don't have a multimeter but i will buy one tomorrow morning and run these tests, will update when i know the results.
    cheers.
     
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    Rose, Sep 3, 2014
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  4. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    RR is regulator rectifier, it would be wiring/RR. I don't think it would be the stator or starter solenoid.
     
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    Th3_Huntsman, Sep 3, 2014
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  5. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    I'm not sure if this is related or anything, but just something I've noticed is when the battery is really low the headlight won't turn on when it's running, but when its all charged up they work fine. Could be nothing could be something but i thought it was worth mentioning any details that could help narrow the problem.
     
    Rose, Sep 3, 2014
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  6. risky

    risky risky

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    test the reg/rectifier.
     
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    risky, Sep 4, 2014
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  7. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Do the tests so that you can eliminate what is working, and find what is not.
     
    Murdo, Sep 4, 2014
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  8. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    that's a built in feature of the ZXR250, the headlight stays off until there is enough power in the electrical system to turn on, I wish more bikes did this.
     
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    kiffsta, Sep 4, 2014
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  9. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    so i got a multimeter, i haven't had a chance to recharge the new battery that i put on the bike, but i will do it today and then recheck the readings from the multi meter. but these are the reading i have gotten so far.
    -the old battery (fully charged) reads at 12.83
    -the new battery (not charged yet) reads at 11.88

    i can't really get an accurate reading of it starting until I've charged the new battery because i have to jump start it.

    so i just jump started it from the old battery and got some reading with it running at 3000rpm
    so with the old battery still connected it read at about 12.5ish
    and just with the new flat battery it was reading about 11.5ish

    i will double check these reading after i have charged up the new battery.

    cheers
     
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    Rose, Sep 4, 2014
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  10. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    With your bike not running your battery should read 12.8v, with it running over 4000RPM , then you should see at 14v - 15v on your meter. If the battery voltage does not rise as the RPM's increase then its most likely the regulator or the Alternator (Stator).

    Here are the tests for the regulator and alternator

    Alternator1.PNG Alternator2.PNG ZXR250_Regulator.PNG
     
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    kiffsta, Sep 4, 2014
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  11. zixxer

    zixxer Well-Known Member

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    after finding out if its the r/r or alternator go and buy a motobatt gel battery, definitely worth the money.
     
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    zixxer, Sep 4, 2014
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  12. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    okay I've pulled off the tank and had a quick look at the RR, and at first it looked all good, but as you can see in the photos the wires and connector have melted. so I'm pretty sure this is the problem, but i will run some more tests just to double check thats thats the only problem.

    IMG_2965.JPG IMG_2969.JPG
     
    Rose, Sep 4, 2014
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  13. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    i don't know if you read the earlier post but i already bought a new battery.
     
    Rose, Sep 4, 2014
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  14. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Looks very familiar .... those stupid lost in space hoses are supposed to cool that area .... stupid stupid place for the RR
    replace that plug and the damaged wiring and give that RR a good clean after giving it a test to make sure its ok of course

    RR plug.jpg
     
    GreyImport, Sep 4, 2014
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  15. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Looks like you have found your problem
     
    kiffsta, Sep 4, 2014
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  16. zixxer

    zixxer Well-Known Member

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    yeah the motobatt batteries are much better than the wet batteries though (if thats the type you bought), alot more cranking power.
     
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    zixxer, Sep 4, 2014
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  17. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Called it :) rewire that bad boy and you should be good to go :)
     
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    Th3_Huntsman, Sep 4, 2014
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  18. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Agreed, they are very good unit.:thumb_ups:
     
    Phil, Sep 4, 2014
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  19. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Well-Known Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    What can happen on those type of connectors (or any really) is that the terminal oxidizes and develops a resistance on the metal connector, which creates heat because of the higher current and then melts the plastic etc. Checking, cleaning & maintaining the connectors can help avoid this problem. Good that you found the culprit!
     
    Grasshopper, Sep 4, 2014
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  20. Rose

    Rose Active Member

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    so far i have rewired with a new connection but that made no difference, i have ordered a new R/R but it will take another week at least to get here.
     
    Rose, Sep 8, 2014
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