Overcharging???

[Vecchio Lupo]

Boys, Ive got a 90 Cal III, good piece of kit. the dash mounted volt meter (insert Veglia Electronnica joke here:) shows under 12v at idle but once moving runs up to 13-14v steady. I checked voltage at idle and just above with meter and was healthy 12.8 up to 13.5 ish, so great.

I installed a digital constant monitoring guage (made in China so you know it's good) and saw where once off idle and cruising it read 16v. only reading 13 at idle.

I think 16v is too much...I suspect the 35 year old Diode board and regulator/regulator.

opinions???????

I have a NIB thunder child diode board leftover from a Boxer project.  and of course R/Rs are cheap .

[wirespokes]

Sixteen volts would fry the battery from my understanding, so I'd tend to believe the stock voltmeter. Check voltage with a trustworthy volt meter.

I get the feeling the alternator is behaving normally.

Just guessing this is the Bosch alternator, not the Ducati permanent magnet type?

[Dirk_S]

I can’t remember if you get a more accurate reading off the battery, or…
I’m using one of those cheap, bar-mounted USB accessory ports on my BMW R80/7 that also shows voltage because I still don’t fully trust that bike’s old, worn charging system. Connected directly to the battery, it’s showing a proper max delivery of 14.4V, but now you’re making me wonder if I can even trust that number.

[Vecchio Lupo]

yes Sir, 1990 would be Bosch.    I'll put another couple meters on it...yes 16v worried me, I cant believe the Chinese would sell me cheap junk.  If it aint broke, dont fix it.

[Vecchio Lupo]

yes Sir, 1990 would be Bosch.    I'll put another couple meters on it...yes 16v worried me, I cant believe the Chinese would sell me cheap junk.  If it aint broke, dont fix it.

Thats what Im using, a Chinese bar mounted usb charger voltage gauge

[Perazzimx14]

Thats what Im using, a Chinese bar mounted usb charger voltage gauge

Can you install the volt meter on another vehicle, motorcycle, lawn mower to double check its accuracy.

16V is high but I think its the meter not the  charging system.

FWIW if the volt meter is connected directly to the battery it give the most accurate reading but the reality is if you mount it though some other electricals it'll be accurate enough. The 0.01 or 0.02v difference is not enough to worry with.

[Vecchio Lupo]

Fellas...I just hooked up another meter to the battery, It was in perfect sync with the bar mounted gauge .   As voltage climbed I saw wisps of smoke from the main power wire, from battery to Ducati Energia Regulator rectifier. Yes, Both meters climbed to 16v together.  It appears I must do some testing....Im so dumb, I dont know why I thought this bike had a diode board....now Im on a different road