Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 12:44:30 PM

Title: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 12:44:30 PM
I have looked on the forums for a similar problem. If there is a thread containing this issue, please direct me there.
I have an 07 M695 which rarely has given me any trouble. I am no pro, but a fairly decent DIY mechanic and perform all maintenence from oil changes to valve adjustments. I figure if there is a forum with instructions I can do it.

I have never had to change my battery since purchasing the bike new and replaced it 5 weeks ago when my bike would not start. The bike would attempt, and all lights and gauges worked but not enough power to turn the starter. Nor would the battery hold a charge when attempted to trickle charge it. After nearly 4 years in the PX AZ heat I figured it was time for a new battery.  New battery, problem fixed. Worked great for a week or so and again I found I had a dead battery. (note, I ride my bike to work 5 days a week, 600+ miles) Battery charged up fine overnight, but I replaced the regulator with a new one figuring my bike was not charging my battery. Again it worked fine for a little over a week and the battery is again dead. It will charge up and then work for a little over a week and die again.

Does anyone know what is likely the culprit and how to diagnose this.

New battery
New regulator/rectifier
All fuses are fine

What wires specifically should I be inspecting and measuring voltage.

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 01:12:27 PM
A quick voltage test at the battery would be a good start.

You should see 13.5 -14.5 volts at about 3K rpm
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 01:30:53 PM
Thanks for your reply

Before firing up the bike the reading was
12.75

With bike running at 3K reading was
12.35, dipping down to 11.~ during the ignition start up.

I just finished charging the battery yesterday morning so I figure that's why it is still 12V.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 01:48:51 PM
Quote from: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 01:30:53 PM
Thanks for your reply

Before firing up the bike the reading was
12.75

With bike running at 3K reading was
12.35, dipping down to 11.~ during the ignition start up.

I just finished charging the battery yesterday morning so I figure that's why it is still 12V.
It's not charging,

There is a thread somewhere that describes how to measure the voltage coming from the stator. I did a quick search and came up empty.

I'll look again.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 01:52:47 PM
Found it....

This should get you going...the output wires are the yellow wires going to the regulator

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14261.msg246555#msg246555 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14261.msg246555#msg246555)
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 02:18:24 PM
Thanks for the info, I will check out that thread,

I found this thread and have been following sujij's advice http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=38742.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=38742.0)
when I unplugged the regulator/rectifier and measured the voltage I got
11.90 on both green and red pairs

I will see what I can find on the thread you sent me next. I may be looking for threads on how to replace the stator before I am done.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 02:20:23 PM
Quote from: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 02:18:24 PM
Thanks for the info, I will check out that thread,

I found this thread and have been following sujij's advice http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=38742.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=38742.0)
when I unplugged the regulator/rectifier and measured the voltage I got
11.90 on both green and red pairs

I will see what I can find on the thread you sent me next. I may be looking for threads on how to replace the stator before I am done.

Yeah...those are battery voltage.

Let us know.

You might also check the wiring/connectors at the regulator.

A bad connection or burnt wires will give you problems.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:08:29 PM
On the yellow wires my reading were

25-38 volts AC

Appears my stator may be working properly. Perhaps I got a bum regulator, or my connections are bad.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 03:12:39 PM
Quote from: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:08:29 PM
On the yellow wires my reading were

25-38 volts AC

Appears my stator may be working properly. Perhaps I got a bum regulator, or my connections are bad.
Either way...

it's a lot less work/money than a stator.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:23:56 PM
I ran the same tests with my old regulator and got the same findings.

11.9 on red/green

and

25-38 AC on yellow

So it has either got to be both regulators are bad or I have a bad wire/connection.
The Regulator I bought was  an ESR531  Honda Super Duty and supposed to be a match for my 07 M695.
The connections look good were they connect to the regulator, dirty outside but clean metal contacts inside.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 03:31:58 PM
Quote from: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:23:56 PM
I ran the same tests with my old regulator and got the same findings.

11.9 on red/green

and

25-38 AC on yellow

So it has either got to be both regulators are bad or I have a bad wire/connection.
The Regulator I bought was  an ESR531  Honda Super Duty and supposed to be a match for my 07 M695.
The connections look good were they connect to the regulator, dirty outside but clean metal contacts inside.
Don't know about the honda regulator. Where did that info come from?

Did you check all 3 pairs in all the combinations?
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:38:43 PM
I did try all three yellow combinations, I did not reverse the + and - leads on the multimeter and do it 3 more times though. I figured with good readings thrice it was a positive indication.

This is where I found the regulator information and made my purchase http://www.electrosport.com/street-bikes/ducati/695-monster-06-07.html (http://www.electrosport.com/street-bikes/ducati/695-monster-06-07.html)
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2010, 03:40:27 PM
Quote from: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:38:43 PM
I did try all three yellow combinations, I did not reverse the + and - leads on the multimeter and do it 3 more times though. I figured with good readings thrice it was a positive indication.

This is where I found the regulator information and made my purchase http://www.electrosport.com/street-bikes/ducati/695-monster-06-07.html (http://www.electrosport.com/street-bikes/ducati/695-monster-06-07.html)

Solid link and vendor...

Maybe just a bum regulator.

I'd contact electrosport
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on August 28, 2010, 03:48:53 PM
I have contacted them and given them my info and test readings and hope to get it replaced quickly. humorless, thank you for your responses. It makes it easier to diagnose/fix a new problem when one has a second opinion in the matter. This was my first post since moving from the "other" board and am happy to have a positive experience.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: Scotzman on August 28, 2010, 04:07:09 PM
On my 08 695, had a similar issue a few months ago and turned out to be the stator. It took a few times going back to the shop for them to catch it because it was just under the limit on what it should've been-hopefully there's a cheaper problem than this. Good luck.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on September 01, 2010, 06:37:33 PM
I tested the diodes on the regulator/rectifier and they tested good on both the new regulator and my old one.
I ran another test on the stator output this time at 5K rpms and get 50-60Vac but nothing DC through the reg/rec. I am stumped. The place I bought it said if the diodes test good then the problem is not with the regulator/rectifier unit. They said when the unit fails it is usually the diodes and not the regulator circuit and that it is not easy to test the circuit without special equipment. But where the regulator circuit controls the output voltage it still sounds suspect to me.

Any ideas on how to know for sure if the problem is the stator.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: suzyj on September 01, 2010, 07:42:08 PM
If you're getting 50V AC from the stator at 5K RPM, then it's fine.  The issue is with your rectifier/regulator, or with the wiring from it to the battery.

Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: Howie on September 01, 2010, 07:44:57 PM
Just curious, did you check the 30 amp fuse that is next to the battery?
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on September 01, 2010, 07:55:29 PM
Thanks for the replies,

I did check the 30a fuse as well as all the others. They are all good.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: Scotzman on September 11, 2010, 08:38:18 AM
I had the shop trouble shoot mine since it was still under warranty by two weeks. They measured the output of everything and found that the stator was just under the limit. It took me going back twice for them to find this though.
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: evoasis on September 11, 2010, 02:10:14 PM
I have the same problem a few months back, changed out the stator and it fixed the problem..
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=171;sa=showPosts;start=15 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=171;sa=showPosts;start=15)
Title: Re: "Battery keeps dying" 2007 M695
Post by: WednesdaysChild on September 28, 2010, 02:31:08 PM
What did the stator replacement set you back, mine is past warranty unfortunately.