Whenever handling your powersports battery, make sure you wear eye protection and take the appropriate safety precautions associated with handling lead acid batteries.
Following are three tests you can perform on your battery and charging system.
Static Battery Voltage Test
- Prior to conducting this test, make sure the battery has not been recently charged. You must wait at least one hour after charging your battery to conduct this test.
- Adjust voltmeter to DC volts (20 volt range).
- Place voltmeter leads to the battery terminals. (positive to positive and negative to negative)
- Read voltage and refer to the chart below.
Methods of Checking Battery Condition |
State of
Charge |
Syringe
Hydrometer |
Digital
Voltmeter |
5-Ball
Hydrometer |
100% Charged
w/Sulfate Stop |
1.280 |
12.80v |
5 Balls Floating |
100% Charged |
1.265 |
12.60v |
4 Balls Floating |
75% Charged |
1.210 |
12.40v |
3 Balls Floating |
50% Charged |
1.160 |
12.10v |
2 Balls Floating |
25% Charged |
1.120 |
11.90v |
1 Balls Floating |
0% Charged |
less than 1.100 |
less than 11.80v |
0 Balls Floating |
Starting Load Test
- Adjust voltmeter to DC volts (20 volt range).
- Place voltmeter leads to the battery terminals. (positive to positive and negative to negative)
- Watch the voltmeter as you start your motorcycle.
- If the voltage drops below 9.5 volts, the battery has very low capacity and should be replaced.
Charging System Test
- Adjust voltmeter to DC volts (20 volt range).
- Place voltmeter leads to the battery terminals. (positive to positive and negative to negative)
- Start your motorcycle.
- Bring engine RPM's up to approximately 3,000
- Compare the voltage reading to the specification in your owner's manual.
(Note: the voltage reading should be approx. 14.0 - 14.5 volts to properly charge an AGM battery.)
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Battery Type