Charging system question

I just put a project bike back on the road with a new electrical system (Only took about 10 years). Your basic Sparx 3PH alt, PODtronics rectifier/regulator, Motobatt battery. I also installed one of those LED SparkBright voltage monitors. Got it fired up with a fresh, charged battery and pretty much right away I'm getting an over voltage signal from the voltage monitor. Testing the voltage at the battery at about 3000 rpm, I was seeing 15.2-15.5v. That seems kinda high, but it verified the Sparkbright.

So the question is - Is this PODtronics failing to properly control the voltage and I should replace - OR - is this completely normal I should just get over it.

I'm willing to go either way.

Thanks, David

I’d try another regulator.

Me too.

What should the charging rate be?
Is it higher for Lithium?

Lead acid (including gel, AGM, flooded and drycell) are 2.1 volts per cell, so you should see 12.6 volts at rest.

Lithium based (including lithium-ion, lithium polymer, LiCoO2, lithium cobalt oxide and LiFePO4) are 3.6 volts per cell, so you should see 14.4 volts at rest.

15.5 v would boil the electrolyte in a lead acid battery, and possibly cause a lithium to explode. Not good either way.

gtiller said:

Lithium based (including lithium-ion, lithium polymer, LiCoO2, lithium cobalt oxide and LiFePO4) are 3.6 volts per cell, so you should see 14.4 volts at rest.

Click to expand...

That 3.6 v per cell figure I believe is float voltage (charge), not at rest. I say that because my Shorai reads 13.2 - 13.4 at rest and the storage mode on my charger is keeping it at 13.2 right now.

Ok, a new Podtronics has been ordered. Thanks for the input all!

Sparx.

like naming a brand of roof shingles “leak”.