A 12-volt motorcycle battery is made up of a plastic case containing six cells. Each cell is made up of a set of positive and negative plates immersed in a dilute sulfuric acid solution known as electrolyte, and each cell has a voltage of around 2.1 volts when fully charged.
Thereof, how many volts is a motorcycle battery supposed to have?
A healthy battery should read right around 12.5 volts. If it's much lower than that, say 12.0 or less, charge the battery before proceeding. If the battery won't hold a charge, or shows signs of damage, you should replace it. Assuming the battery voltage is good, start the bike and watch the meter.
How do I check the voltage on my motorcycle battery?
Starting Load Test
- Adjust voltmeter to DC volts (20 volt range).
- Place voltmeter leads to the battery terminals. ( positive to positive and negative to negative)
- Watch the voltmeter as you start your motorcycle.
- If the voltage drops below 9.5 volts, the battery has very low capacity and should be replaced.
What is the voltage of a fully charged 12 volt battery?
The actual resting voltage, or the voltage a battery will settle at 12-24 hours after being removed from the charger, is closer to 2.1 volts per cell, or about 6.4 volts for a 6v battery, and 12.7 volts for a 12v battery. These numbers assume 100% healthy cells, and may vary a bit lower for older batteries.