Battery/Charging System - Honda XL200 2001 Shop Manual

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SERVICE INFORMATION
TROUBLESHOOTING
BATTERY
SERVICE INFORMATION
GENERAL
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• The battery gives off explosive gases; keep sparks, flames, and cigarettes away. Provide adequate ventilation when
charging or using the battery in an enclosed space.
• The battery contains sulfuric acid (electrolyte). Contact with your skin or eyes may cause severe burns. Wear protective
clothing and a face shield.
– If electrolyte gets on your skin, flush with water.
– If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes call a physician inmediately.
• Eletrolyte is poisonous. If swallowed, drink large quantities of water or milk of magnesia or vegetable oil and call a
physician. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
• Always turn off the ignition switch before disconnecting any electrical component.
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• Some electrical components may be damaged if terminals or connectors are connected or disconnected while the ignition
switch is ON and current is present.
• For extended storage, remove the battery, give it a full charge, and store it in a cool, dry space. For maximum service life,
charge the stored battery every two weeks.
• For a battery remaining in a stored motorcycle, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal.
• The battery can be damaged if overcharged our undercharged, or of left to discharge for long periods. These same
conditions contribute to shorting the "life span" of the battery. Even under normal use, the performance of the battery
deteriorates after 2-3 years.
• Battery voltage may recover after battery charging, but under heavy load, battery voltage will drop quickly and eventually die
out. For this reason, the charging system is often suspected to be the problem. Battery overcharge often results from
problem in the battery itself., which may appear to be an overcharge symptom. If one of the battery cells is shorted and
battery voltage does not increase, the regulator/rectifier supplies excess voltage to the battery. Under these conditions, the
electrolyte level goes down quickly.
• Before troubleshooting the charging system, check for proper use and maintenance of the battery. Check if the battery is
frequently under heavy load, such as having the headlight and taillight ON for long periods of time without riding the
motorcycle.
• The battery will self-discharge when the motorcycle is not in use. For this reason, charge the battery every two weeks to
prevent sulfation from forming.
• Filling a new battery with electrolyte will produce some voltage, but in order to achieve its maximum performance, always
charge the battery, Also, the battery life is lengthened when it is initial-charged.
• When checking the charging system, always follow the steps in the troubleshooting flow chart.
• For charging system component locations, see page 15-0.
15-1 CHARGING SYSTEM INSPECTION
15-2 REGULATOR/RECTIFIER
15-3 ALTERNATOR
15.
BATTERY/CHARGING
SYSTEM
1 5 –1
15-5
15-6
15-7
15