I just got a new battery under warranty as the one that I got 3 months ago tested bad under load testing. The battery was getting hot. The battery I had before that appeared to have overheated also but it was several years old. I am wondering if I have an overcharging issue. It shows charging around 13-14v at idle and goes up to 17v or so at higher RPM. This is about what the battery that I just replaced showed also. I am trickle charger the new battery to see if it makes any difference after getting a full charge. Any suggestions out there? I have heard that it is possible that the rectifier may have gone bad.

 

Yes overcharging,Prolly need new voltage regulator.Should regulate 13.1 to 14.1,Is your headlight bulbs blown?

 

The bulbs blew when the old battery went bad about 3 months ago. No problems since.

 

Certain that you need a new regulator, voltage should never go over 15v, and usually bikes don't go over 14.5v. 96 was about the change year for electrics on 300s so check the type of plugs and the number of wires going from regulator to loom, so you get the right one. Some had two plastic plugs, some a plastic plug and two bullets, and some regulators had six wires instead of five.

 

Thanks to you both for the information. Kind of what I figured but like the reassurance. Found one on Amazon for about $16 with 1 review that it works so may try that route first.