1BigDog Posted October 2, 2008 #1 Posted October 2, 2008 I need someone whos very well versed in the RSV charging system to step in here. I have had this charging system issue on and off since last summer. A new rectifier last year solved the problem. I had also replaced the sidestand switch. This year the stator went and I replaced it with the higher output one from Buckeye Performance. Still had an issue so I went ahead and replaced the rectifier again. The bike ran fine for a few hundred miles then it began discharging again. I got it home and replaced the battery with a new, higher powered battery and still the bike is discharging. At 2500-3000 RPM's the DMM reads 12.10 V. I am at a total loss now. I will say that from the time I noticed the gauge flashing red I had about a 40 mile trip back home. A few times the bike began charging again then went back to flashing red. All connections are clean and tight and contact points are lubed with dielectric grease. So, anyone here got any ideas....Since I got the stator from Buckeye, RickH, you have any ideas? Squid, Muffy..Goose?? :bang head:
rod Posted October 2, 2008 #2 Posted October 2, 2008 With the bike running you should get +-14 volts. I would check the stator and look for pinched or broken wires. While electrical trouble shooting be systematic, start at the stator and work your way out. Good luck Rod
Gone14S Posted October 2, 2008 #3 Posted October 2, 2008 I need someone whos very well versed in the RSV charging system to step in here. I have had this charging system issue on and off since last summer. A new rectifier last year solved the problem. I had also replaced the sidestand switch. This year the stator went and I replaced it with the higher output one from Buckeye Performance. Still had an issue so I went ahead and replaced the rectifier again. The bike ran fine for a few hundred miles then it began discharging again. I got it home and replaced the battery with a new, higher powered battery and still the bike is discharging. At 2500-3000 RPM's the DMM reads 12.10 V. I am at a total loss now. I will say that from the time I noticed the gauge flashing red I had about a 40 mile trip back home. A few times the bike began charging again then went back to flashing red. All connections are clean and tight and contact points are lubed with dielectric grease. So, anyone here got any ideas....Since I got the stator from Buckeye, RickH, you have any ideas? Squid, Muffy..Goose?? :bang head: You have done what most of us would done to fix the problem. The only other thing I can think of would be there is something in the elc. system of the bike knocking out the charging system. Time to go hunting. Kurt
Condor Posted October 2, 2008 #4 Posted October 2, 2008 It might be in a wire. Since it works every once in a while while riding, when you have the bike running on the sidestand, start shaking wires around and see if you can physically get the problem to appear or disappear. If may be a pinched/crushed wire??
BuddyRich Posted October 2, 2008 #5 Posted October 2, 2008 (edited) Sounds like you may have something shorting out and causing a bigger drain on the system than what the system can put out Edited October 2, 2008 by BuddyRich
KiteSquid Posted October 2, 2008 #6 Posted October 2, 2008 (edited) All connections are clean and tight and contact points are lubed with dielectric grease. Dielectric grease is actually an insulator. A good defeniton is at Wikipedia, HERE You don't want it IN the joints where the electricity needs to flow, but over it to seal out moisture and therefore prevent corrosion on electrical connectors. Try removing all the Dielectric grease. Also do not trust an LED charge indicator unless you have tested it with known voltage sources. Don't trust multi-meters unless you have had them calibrated. and uncalibrated meter is good for getting reference levels, but NOT for any scientific testing. I would trust it if you test the battery voltage on several vehicles that are running with good electrical systems and you get most of your readings at 13.5VDC Can you list all electrical accessories that have been istalled on your bike? Edited October 2, 2008 by KiteSquid
1BigDog Posted October 2, 2008 Author #8 Posted October 2, 2008 Dielectric grease is actually an insulator. A good defeniton is at Wikipedia, HERE You don't want it IN the joints where the electricity needs to flow, but over it to seal out moisture and therefore prevent corrosion on electrical connectors. Try removing all the Dielectric grease. Yes, I have added the dielectric grease into the plug. Since it was non-conductive I thought it would be ok. Ill try and clean it out and go from there. I was also considering hardwiring the wires to the rectifier for a better connection. Another member here was eating up rectifiers like candy until the dealer went ahead and hard wired it . Now its issue free. Can you list all electrical accessories that have been istalled on your bike? Only thing extra is the driving lights and some led tail lights. Nothing big, but a 55W stator should handle it. Im gonna try this solution first tomorrow am and go from there. Thanks all for the ideas.
Redneck Posted October 2, 2008 #9 Posted October 2, 2008 Squidly installed one of those high output stators and the best I remember it burned up a connector you might want to check with him. It sounds like a connection problem to me.
Tartan Terror Posted October 3, 2008 #11 Posted October 3, 2008 Redneck as part of that kit you remove that connection and hard wire it by soldering the wires. That connection should be no longer on Ruffs bike.
1BigDog Posted October 3, 2008 Author #12 Posted October 3, 2008 Spoke with GeorgeS for a while on the phone tonight. He gave me some direction to start with, along with a very thorough electronics lesson. When we were done I had a much better understanding about charging systems and their issues. Most likely its the plug, whether its corroded or loose. Ill run some DMM tests on it tomorrow am. LetHimRide will be over in the AM and we will go through it. One more question though...does anyone know where the main ground lug is located on the 2nd gens?
DLBCAL Posted October 3, 2008 #13 Posted October 3, 2008 Well I'd guess you have a short somewhere in the system causing a drain. What I'd suggest as a way to trouble shoot the problem would be to pull fuses one by one while the motor is running with a multi meter monitoring the voltage. If you find the voltage goes to normal with one circuit disconnected that would at least give you somewhere to focus your attention. I am sure you have already checked it but I'll mention it anyway check the ground cable from the battery. I believe it grounds to the engine on the right hand side of the bike. It might be the frame in that same general area. I don't recall which. If you haven't already give it a clean and reconnect it. I prefer using a good electrical connection cleaner as opposed to sanding surfaces. Good luck. There is nothing more frustrating than chasing electrical demons in a motorcycle.
KiteSquid Posted October 3, 2008 #14 Posted October 3, 2008 (edited) One more question though...does anyone know where the main ground lug is located on the 2nd gens? Follow the black wire from the battery. Where it connects to the bike, there is your main ground. There should be qutie a few black wires comming together there. Edited October 3, 2008 by KiteSquid
Condor Posted October 3, 2008 #15 Posted October 3, 2008 There's a plastic elbow coming off the water pump on the right side of the engine. The ground is tucked in on the inside of the 'L'.....
mraf Posted October 3, 2008 #16 Posted October 3, 2008 There's a plastic elbow coming off the water pump on the right side of the engine. The ground is tucked in on the inside of the 'L'..... Hey condor, you list alot of first gens in your sig.. When you go to ride how do you pick?
1BigDog Posted October 3, 2008 Author #17 Posted October 3, 2008 Got the problem down to a bad plug, the one that plugs into the rectifier. Took it apart and a connection is melted in there. Im now trying to locate another plug so if anyone here has one laying around let me know please.
Condor Posted October 3, 2008 #18 Posted October 3, 2008 Hey condor, you list alot of first gens in your sig.. When you go to ride how do you pick? Einey..meany..miney..moe... Nah, the one that runs....
Tartan Terror Posted October 3, 2008 #19 Posted October 3, 2008 Einey..meany..miney..moe... Nah, the one that runs.... You first Genners make the abuse so easy!!!
Bummer Posted October 3, 2008 #20 Posted October 3, 2008 Got the problem down to a bad plug, the one that plugs into the rectifier. Took it apart and a connection is melted in there. Im now trying to locate another plug so if anyone here has one laying around let me know please.I though that plug had to be removed and the connection soldered to keep that from happening.
Condor Posted October 3, 2008 #21 Posted October 3, 2008 You first Genners make the abuse so easy!!! Yes... we do have to make it easy for some....
Squeeze Posted October 3, 2008 #22 Posted October 3, 2008 Yes... we do have to make it easy for some.... :rotf::rotf:
1BigDog Posted October 3, 2008 Author #23 Posted October 3, 2008 I though that plug had to be removed and the connection soldered to keep that from happening. That was the plug for the stator, not the rectifier.
lonestarmedic Posted October 3, 2008 #24 Posted October 3, 2008 If you send me a picture or a bit better description, I have an entire wiring harness. I also have a spare known good rectifier. JB
GeorgeS Posted October 3, 2008 #25 Posted October 3, 2008 1st gen plugs won't work, its a 5 pin plug, mounts to the Regulator itself.
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