Battery Won't Hold a Charge

[woodnglass]

First of all, let me say how appreciative I am for the help on this form. If it wasn't for you folks I'd probably have pushed this Roketa MC54-250 off a cliff by now. I couldn't ride it off cause I can't keep it running that long. Actually, frustrating as this is, I'm learning some backyard mechanic skills and am jusy bullheaded enough to keep at it til i get the thing running.
Here's the nutshell version: I'm on my third battery, probably only needed a second one but thought it might have gone bad.
Anyway, I've been running off a brand new, fully charged the way you guys say to do it, WalMart battery and I'm convinced that the battery isn't charging because after it gets into the 11:?? voltage the starter won't kick. I've checked pretty closely my wiring and made sure that battery ground isn't kissing paint but I couldn't swear I haven't missed something. I recharged the battery and got 12.9 I think across the battery leads. However, under load(3-4000 rpms) the voltage stays at about that same number or drops a hair, not 14.5v. Based on what I've seen posted about battery troubles is it likely then that I can focus on the rectifier as the culprit and figure out if it's sick or replace it OR should I look for something else as well that might cause the batt not to charge.
Thanks again for your help,
Jer

[chaajoad]

I don't know enough to advise about electrical issues but I went through the same thing until I changed out the rectifier and the charghing got much better, although not perfect.

But I eliminated ALL charging problems with two things.

I put a trickle charger on every third day or so, no matter what. In fact, these chargers should come with scoots as standard equipment.

And I bought a small, self-contained battery jumper that takes up very little room under the seat. It saved me more than once and allowed me to help several other scoot owners with dead batteries. At least I got started and made it home to the trickle charger.