Templar M keeps draining battery

[NYCDiesel]

Hey guys, my templar's battery died last week so I ordered another. I installed the new battery, bike started, ran great but than as soon as I killed the engine the battery was completely dead again, really annoying. I'm guessing its the rectifier, but when I attempt to kickstart it the dash lights up for a second which makes me think the rectifier is OK. Would really appreciate any help, thanks

[Thumper]

Got a voltmeter?
I would start with testing the charging system. Here is a post on this
https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34080

[Mumen Rider]

Originally Posted by NYCDiesel

Hey guys, my templar's battery died last week so I ordered another. I installed the new battery, bike started, ran great but than as soon as I killed the engine the battery was completely dead again, really annoying. I'm guessing its the rectifier, but when I attempt to kickstart it the dash lights up for a second which makes me think the rectifier is OK. Would really appreciate any help, thanks

You should check what your charging voltage is at the battery.

[J4Fun]

How long did you run the bike on the new battery? Is the battery a wet cell and is it properly filled with electrolyte and charged before starting? Once it is started the voltage check at the battery will no doubt tell you you have a charging problem or not, look for around 13.5+ v while running and check with some throttle too to make sure. My thoughts…

[Aussie_in_MO]

Definitely worth throwing a charger on any new battery and making sure it's fully charged before putting cycles on it

[NYCDiesel]

Yeah I made sure the new battery was properly charged, I do have a voltmeter and have seen that thread just hard to check it wo the bike running. The OEM battery was so depleted that it wouldn't take a charge, if i remember correctly it was somewhere around 3-4 volts. I'll try to recharge the replacement and get back to you, thanks for all the help.

[Thumper]

Your first post above stated that the bike runs. Yes, those tests need to be run on a bike that starts so you can check voltage at the battery running ~1800 rpm. Compare that to resting (not running), first disconnected and then connected to test for a short.

[NYCDiesel]

Originally Posted by Thumper

Your first post above stated that the bike runs. Yes, those tests need to be run on a bike that starts so you can check voltage at the battery running ~1800 rpm. Compare that to resting (not running), first disconnected and then connected to test for a short.

The first time this happened it blew the fuse not sure if that is pertinent or not. Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[Thumper]

If the fuse blew, there is a ground fault. You need to check the loom for a ground fault.

[buzz]

What Thumper said is right,problem is a short or ground problem. Good luck.

[NYCDiesel]

So i measured the new battery, it is at exactly 0V, i tried recharging with no luck...I will look for a short in the loom, thanks for the info.

[Thumper]

Don't connect any battery to that wiring harness until you find the ground!! Disconnect the battery that you got! You can charge it on the bench and see if it isn't damaged, and will hold a charge.

To find the ground fault, connect one wire from the voltmeter to the positive lead (at the battery connector), and the other lead to the engine/frame. The reading should stay infinite before you connect and after you touch ground. If there is any continuity, you have a ground fault. You may have to dissect the harness, starting with disconnecting powered items like the lighting, horn, etc. This includes the CDI unit. At some point, the positive lead at the battery will no longer show the ground fault when you disconnect something. Something that gets power is somehow getting to ground. It may be a crossed or misconnected wire rather than a component, but somewhere it's getting to ground. Good luck tracing it down.