big, my battery is reading 13.5 amps. when i press the start button it goes down to like 2 amps and when i let off it goes back up. do you think its my reglutar? that what I think it is. is there any way to test just the reglutar?

 

DSracer666, your battery is dead. The reason it is dead may very well be the regulator or it may just be the battery. Put the battery on a trickle charge (2 amp for 6 hours) and try again. If the battery starts your DS and holds a charge, I would suggest taking the quad to a shop and have the electrical system looked at.
No offence but it sounds like you don't have a clue about electrical systems and trying to fix by throwing parts at it will end up costing you more then having it done professionally. If you want to try it yourself, I have posted a test procedure twice in the past, just do a search, keyword charging or battery. Also, that is volts you are reading on your meter not Amps...just thaught you might like to know.
Good luck

 

got it all set it was the battery, it had a dead cell. I ran all the test the book calls for and every thing else checks out fine. thank guys!

js; I was having a brain fart when I said amps, I do know a little about wiring you seem to know way more so thank for replying.

 

Glad to see you got it going and that it was something simple and cheap. If you are not using the DS for more then a month, you need to charge the battery. It will go dead just sitting there and, once dead, it will quickly turn to crap. You can buy a "battery Tender" for around 28.00 that will keep the battery charged and in good condition during those long gaps between rides. With proper maintenance, its nothing to get 3-4 years from your battery. Just an FYI [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

JSsDS's is right, the battery tender is the best way to go.

Also just so everyone knows, this is true of any quad, not just the DS. This is true of just about any automotive/recreational whether it's a starting or deep cycle battery. The ones on your car/truck/rv just take longer to self discharge.

-Tom

 

in addition make sure you dont leave a battery on concrete, it will sap all the life out of it.

 

That's a wives tale. It's not true at all. All the battery manufacturers will tell you that this is not true.

here is a quote from the interstate battery web site.

"Will storing my battery on concrete drain the charge? No. Regarding today's batteries, this is a myth. A battery placed on concrete will not discharge any faster, but a battery will discharge over a period of time wherever it is placed. If the battery has a surface layer of acid or grime which is conductive, the battery will self-discharge more rapidly than if it were clean and dry. "

also from the interstate web site......

"This myth does have some historical basis. Many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery in it. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the "hard rubber" cases, which were somewhat porous. A current could be conducted through this container, which had a high carbon content, if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advise of the old days to "not store batteries on concrete" has apparently been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies. "


like I said, it's a wives tale.... I have heard hundreds of people claim this. It's not their fault, that's just what they were told.

-Tom

 

here is some other tidbits from the interstate batteries site.


What is the proper way to store my battery? Before storing your battery, you should:
1.-Clean the battery case and terminals with baking soda and water.
2-Check the water level and add water if needed.
3-Test your battery with a hydrometer and/or a voltmeter to ensure the battery is fully charged.

If needed, charge your battery. Batteries stored in a discharged state are susceptible to freezing, sulfation and an increased rate of discharge. A fully charged battery will not freeze unless the temperature reaches approximately 80°F below zero. But if discharged, it can freeze at 32°F.
Store your battery in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area—the cooler the better without going below 32°F—and out of the reach of children and pets. Check the water level and state of charge every 45-60 days. If needed, add distilled water and charge.


How do I maintain an automotive battery that will be unused for months? Follow the steps above for properly storing a battery. Note: Simply starting your car and letting it idle does NOT sufficiently charge the battery. To fully recharge a battery with your alternator, the vehicle must be driven. Highway driving provides the best charge. However, we recommend that you use a battery charger, instead of relying on your car's alternator, to fully charge a discharged battery.


How long can I let my battery sit unused? Lack of use is one of the greatest enemies of a battery, especially an automotive battery which is designed to be charged regularly by an alternator. Any unused battery, regardless of its chemistry, will self-discharge over time and, if allowed to remain discharged, will undergo severe positive grid corrosion and premature battery failure. The rate of discharge depends on the type of battery and the storage temperature.

 

even more info...

How do I test my battery?

Headlight Test In the dark, pull your car up to a building wall or a garage door. Turn off the engine and leave on the headlights. If they're bright, then your battery is probably fine. If the lights are dim, but get brighter when the engine is started, this tells you the battery could be bad and requires further testing. If the lights are dim and stay dim when the engine is started, this tells you that your charging system requires further testing.

TOP Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) Test An OCV test may be performed with a voltmeter.
To determine if the battery is experiencing a problem, turn off all electrical loads and the charging source.


For an accurate reading, allow the battery to sit with no electrical loads applied for at least one hour.


Connect a voltmeter to the positive and negative terminals and measure the terminal post voltage with no loads or chargers connected to the battery.


To determine the battery's state of charge, compare the OCV reading on the voltmeter to the Open Circuit Voltage Chart.
We do not recommend that you substitute the OCV test for a specific gravity test, which is more accurate. The OCV test, however, is the only way to determine the state of charge of a sealed no-maintenance battery.


Specific Gravity Test This test is performed with a hydrometer, which is the most accurate hand held tool for determining the state of charge of a lead acid battery.
Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer a few times so that the float reaches the same temperature as the electrolyte. This will increase the accuracy of your readings.


Hold the hydrometer vertically so that the float is free and does not touch the inner walls of the barrel.


Hold the hydrometer so that the liquid is level in the barrel and at eye level.


When you draw the electrolyte, make sure that the hydrometer is full.


Check each individual battery cell. If the specific gravity varies more than .050 or "50 points" among the cells while the battery is at a 75% state of charge or above, then the battery is bad and should be replaced. The cells that have a specific gravity of 50 points less than the highest cell are bad cells. A hydrometer reading of 1.265 or greater at 80°F indicates a full charge for Interstate batteries. To determine the battery's state of charge, compare the hydrometer reading to the Specific Gravity Chart.


To get the most accurate hydrometer reading, you should adjust your hydrometer reading according to the temperature. If the electrolyte temperature is ABOVE 80°F , ADD .004 (called "four points") to the hydrometer reading for each 10 degrees above 80°F. If the electrolyte temperature is BELOW 80°F, SUBTRACT four points from the hydrometer reading for each 10 degrees below 80°F.


Load Test This test is a 15-second discharge of the battery at a 1/2 cold cranking amp level. A more accurate testing method than a voltmeter or a hydrometer, the load test is often required to determine whether a battery is good or bad. It is used by professional technicians.

 

ok one more.....

How do I maintain my battery?
Follow these guidelines every three to six months to extend the life of your low-maintenance Interstate battery:
1) Maintain Water Level. If your battery has removable vent caps, you should regularly check the water level and add water when it is low.
2) Keep Terminals Clean. Visually inspect the terminals and cables at least once a year, especially in hot temperatures, for signs of corrosion. If dirty or corroded, clean the connections with a scraper and wire brush. This will ensure a good connection and proper starting.
3) Keep Case Clean. Keep the top of the battery clean of heavy dirt and oil with a cloth dampened by ammonia or a 50/50 solution of baking soda and water. Then rinse with clear water and allow to thoroughly dry.
4) Keep Battery Charged. If your vehicle is not driven weekly, it may be necessary to charge your battery before use. Lack of use is hard on a battery, especially an automotive battery which is designed to be charged regularly by an alternator. Any unused battery, regardless of its chemistry, will self-discharge over time and, if allowed to remain discharged, will undergo severe positive grid corrosion and battery failure. The rate of discharge depends on the type of battery and the storage temperature. So, it's important to keep your battery charged.
If you prefer that your mechanic take care of your battery, be sure to ask him (1) to maintain the water level and (2) to keep the connections and case clean of corrosion and dirt.


There is alot more info here : http://www.ibsa.com/estore/www_2001/...tech_maint.htm