Charging Issues

[CBRowner]

Hello all,

It's been a while since I've had a technical fault but that was probably due to me, and Johnnyflame, sorting out the last issue.

Now that the bike's not overheating, the oil leak's fixed, and I've replaced just about everything, I'm now left with a charging issue.

I've replaced the battery and now the regulator rectifier but the battery reads 12.76volts when the bike's on or off so I don't think it's getting a charge somehow.

I don't really want to open the bike up again to find the fault because that's when Project Honda turns to sh*t again, plus I've just replaced all the gaskets sorting out that bloody oil leak >

Anyone have any ideas, except tourch the bike and claim off my insurance??

[Scotty]

First question - when refitting the engine, did you reconnect the alternator plug? You don't need to "open up the bike" to check the alternator output... Firstly, get a manual (if you haven't already got one, though after buying this shonker it should have been the first thing you bought) Turn to the electrical chapter and read the section on verifying generator output and follow the steps that it describes. If the alternator's not putting out sufficient charge you may have a dead coil on it - they can be rewound, look in the yellow pages or specialist services in the classified ads section in MCN or magazines. Or buy another.
Suggesting on an internet forum that you torch your own bike to claim off your insurance isn't a wise move, muppet! : : :

[CBRowner]

I wasn't really going to tourch the bike, i've put too much money and effort into it to even consider such an action. I will, however, look through the Haynes manual to see if anything was missed

[Snowy]

Did you check the voltage across the terminals with the engine running and plus 3K revs? Should have been above 14V.

[CBRowner]

Yeah we did all that but it still gave the same reading. We had a look at all the wiring and that seems to be ok so it may actually be the coil, which i'm hoping isn't cos they're pricey

[Jon_W]

Have you blown a fuse???? Simple but oh so common.

If not,

You need to check the individual components and wiring. My Honda was a burger for breaking wires as the wire Honda used was a bit low grade.

As Scotty says, get a Haynes manual so you have the wiring diagram.

1. Disconnect the alternator and check the three windings are clear and even.

1. With the bike running, check the alternator is giving and AC output before the rectifier. These are three phase alternators so you will need to check all three combinations of wires for even voltage (gruess 16V @ 3000rpm.

2. Check the output of the rectifer. With the bike running measure before the fuses for circa 14V DC @ 3000 rpm.

3. Check after the Fuses for the same voltages as (2)

4. Check the rectifier. I can dig out a wiring diagram for the rectifier. Wiki three phase rectifier and you'll get a generic diagram.

5. Pull the wires gently. If one falls off then that's probably it!!