'85 250 ES charging fault

[Hair Bear Bunch]

Hi there, more trouble!
My Big Red won't charge it's battery and I don't know why.
Now, if I disconnect the battery, and kick start the engine, all the lights work fine, so it's producing power from somewhere. So, reconnect the battery, turn on the key and all the lights work without the engine running. Start the engine and the lights come up a little brighter, but there is only 12v across the battery and I think it should be over 13v to charge. What have I missed or what could be wrong?:wondering
Any info appreciated. Thanks.
Rob.

[TravEX]

Charge your battery and try it again.

Are you talking about a 12V reading when it's on the trike and connected and running?

Your battery may be a little soft, by the way your describing the lights brightening up after you start it. A little is normal. The lights brightening up is proof that your battery is being charged.

[TravEX]

I just went out and checked mine. It read 12.73 before I started it, and about a minute of running it read 14.15. My battery is only a couple of monthes old.

How old is your battery? What would the voltage read after a long ride? Maybe your not giving it time to charge the battery up. Does the battery start it up good, or does it feel soft?

[Hair Bear Bunch]

Thanks for the info. The battery is about 2 months old. If I charge the battery it'll start ok, but after 2 or 3 stops and starts it seems to go flat. The voltage at the battery is about 12v even after 10 miniutes or so of riding. I'll go through what you've suggested and give it a try tomorrow.
Rob.

[mike84bigred]

Get a new battery.

[Hair Bear Bunch]

Righto, I'll let you know how I get on.
Rob.