When to know if its time for a Load Test?

Ok.
I'm not sure what the problem is exactly.
Is it time to do a Load Test on my Battery?

I've recently swapped out ALL wiring for the charging portion of the Harness
New stator and R/R as well.

The bike ran really strong for about two weeks (steady 14.8v)
Though over the last 2 weeks the voltage seems to be dropping slowly????

Week 3 - Running 14.5v at speed (at 5k+ rpm)
week 4 - Running 14.3v at speed

today when riding to work it was 13.8v - 14.1v, though after running down the highway for a while it peaked at 14.3v steady for the remainder of the ride.

I have tendered the battery on a trickler as well over the course of this time every couple of days.
Is the battery just not holding a charge correctly?
Should I have a load test done on the battery?
Seems like even if I charge it, its just slowly getting worse as in not holding the charge anymore...

Suggestions? Thanks.

 

Any auto parts store should be able to do a load test on any battery for free. Not too long ago, someone put up a really good post detailing the voltages you should see at certain RPM's but I can't find it.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

i'd probably get it tested. if its a wet cell battery have you checked the water level? if its low you can top off with distilled water and trickle charge then recheck with a hydrometer( available at parts store ). overall if your not sure get it tested. you could have a shorted cell causing the battery to kill itself when not being charged.

 

I wouldn't worry about it if the voltage is around 12.5 w/o engine running, and about 13-14 while at speed and it starts good. A load test won't hurt anything if you want to have it done at a auto parts store.

 

Thanks Eddie-

Just a little worried when I noticed the voltage sag over the last couple weeks.
Still wondering why it would start off soooo strong at first and gradually begin to lose voltage like that?
Guess its still within normal operating ranges like you said.

-Steve

 

after i wrote my first post i had a chance to ride my bike and paid more attention to my gauge. i seem to notice the same thing. the longer i ride the lower the voltage gets. it has never gone below 14v when riding but it drops to 12 at lights ,and if the fan kicks on even reving the engine doesnt really help. i think it is mainly due to heat. as the regulator assembly gets hot it gets harder to make voltage to to increased resistance in the system. when it cools down all is well again.
anyways here is the test out of the 97 honda service manual:
warm up to operating temp.
stop engine and connnect multimeter
restart engine
with headlight on hi beam measure voltage when reving engine to 5,000 rpm
standard voltage : 13.5-16volts @5,000 rpm