Uh Oh. Battery slowly dying - '05 Rage

[nAVEL]

Hey All -

Need your help.

Last winter, my wife's 2005 Rage died on the side of the trail after a day's ride. We were quite a ways from the trailer - thankfully I was able to jump start her machine off my Apex and we were off. I charged her machine back up when we got home and all was good. Next time out, same thing happened - it seems during riding that the sled would slowly drain the battery. Hand warmers wouldn't work nearly as well, etc. until finally it just wouldn't turn over when it died.

I have done some searching and am beginning to suspect either the stator or the regulator. I've checked all the wires under the hood/under toolbox and everything looks pristine.

I ran a multimeter across the battery terminals - 12.6V while turned off, yet only 12V while running - so it's definitly the charging system.

With such a small loss (-2V -- I hear it should be +14V when running) is it the stator? Or the rectifier?

Does anyone know where I can run the multimeter to try and do some additional diagnostic work?

Much appreciated!!!

 

[woolyviper]

i'd start with the battery - might be simple - bad battery won't take a charge from the machine.

 

[nAVEL]

i'd start with the battery - might be simple - bad battery won't take a charge from the machine.

Thanks wollyviper,

I forgot to mention. I just put a brand new battery in it this week (old one was shot) and the same thing is happening. So the battery has been ruled out. I starts, runs just fine.. but it is (still) slowly draining the battery. 12.0V across the battery terminals when running, 12.6V when not.

 

[Sled Dog]

Keep your old battery it is most likely still good just put it on a charger for a few days on trickle charge. It could be either the stator or the rectifier. I would start with the rectifier maybe yours off of your sled will fit on hers and try it. You could download the service manual and go through the trouble shooting charts as well.

 

[grizztracks]

you already check the battery so the next step is to check wires for damage, check fuses, then test the stator. If all is good replace the rectifier/regulator.

I don't have the stator diagram for the Rage but here is one for the Nytro. Ask you local dealer for the stator specs. Normally they will help.

 

[nAVEL]

thanks for the info grizztracks.. something else to try!