Charging system still
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Charging system still
I would check those brushes closely. They wear at an angle as they wear away and the commutator has to have good contact with the brushes. It would be real co-incidence to have had a spring jammed on a brush and then have an armature or field coil go out as well.
I guess I suspect the brushes. Let us know what you find........pg
I guess I suspect the brushes. Let us know what you find........pg
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
RE: Charging system still
I'm back guys. Ran some more tests today.
 \\;
Gen output test - disconnect wires A[/i] and F[/i] at gen. Meter negative lead to ground, positive lead to A[/i] terminal. Should read 2-2.5vdc @ 2000rpm. If not - repair generator.
Results...1.1-1.2 VDCFull field test - disconnect wires A[/i] and F [/i]and connect meter as above. Ground F[/i] term to frame for 10 seconds maximum. Should read 25-30vdc @ 2000rpm. If not - repair generator.
Results... 2.5-2.7 VDC
 \\;
New generator in my future.
 \\;
Gen output test - disconnect wires A[/i] and F[/i] at gen. Meter negative lead to ground, positive lead to A[/i] terminal. Should read 2-2.5vdc @ 2000rpm. If not - repair generator.
Results...1.1-1.2 VDCFull field test - disconnect wires A[/i] and F [/i]and connect meter as above. Ground F[/i] term to frame for 10 seconds maximum. Should read 25-30vdc @ 2000rpm. If not - repair generator.
Results... 2.5-2.7 VDC
 \\;
New generator in my future.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Charging system still
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator?
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground?
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground?
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator?
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground?
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground?
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
RE: Charging system still
 \\;
I tried the steps as posted by \\;pococj. I copied them in my last post. See my answers in bold below.[/align]I had not come across these tests anywhere else but I thought I would give it a try. [/align] \\;[/align]What od you think?[/align]Bucaman[/align][blockquote]piniongear at 6/30/2008 5:02:09 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 \\; RE: Charging system still
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator? Yes
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground? Yes Briefly.
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground? Yes. It is a combination meter but I have it set for VDC. Again following the steps as posted. \\;What do you think?[/blockquote]
[blockquote]
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good. I performed this yesterday and was reading. 2.5 AMPS.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
[/blockquote]
I tried the steps as posted by \\;pococj. I copied them in my last post. See my answers in bold below.[/align]I had not come across these tests anywhere else but I thought I would give it a try. [/align] \\;[/align]What od you think?[/align]Bucaman[/align][blockquote]piniongear at 6/30/2008 5:02:09 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 \\; RE: Charging system still
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator? Yes
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground? Yes Briefly.
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground? Yes. It is a combination meter but I have it set for VDC. Again following the steps as posted. \\;What do you think?[/blockquote]
[blockquote]
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good. I performed this yesterday and was reading. 2.5 AMPS.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
[/blockquote]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Charging system still
ORIGINAL: piniongear
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator?
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground?
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground?
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator?
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground?
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground?
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
The tests were given to me by an old HD mechanic a few (quite a few!) years ago.
They are not as accurate as the tests using the volt meter, ammeter, resistors, quoted in the service manuals, but will indicate whether the generator is functioning properly.
I have not had my growler and generator test board I built from scrap Navy parts since about 1980, and have used these simple tests a few times since then.
Hope that helps!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Charging system still
ORIGINAL: bucaman
 \\;\\\\\\;
I tried the steps as posted by \\;\\\\\\;pococj. I copied them in my last post. See my answers in bold below.[/align]I had not come across these tests anywhere else but I thought I would give it a try. [/align] \\;\\\\\\;[/align]What od you think?[/align]Bucaman[/align][blockquote]piniongear at 6/30/2008 5:02:09 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 \\;\\\\\\; RE: Charging system still
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator? Yes
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground? Yes Briefly.
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground? Yes. It is a combination meter but I have it set for VDC. Again following the steps as posted. \\;\\\\\\;What do you think?[/blockquote]
[blockquote]
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good. I performed this yesterday and was reading. 2.5 AMPS.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
[/blockquote]
 \\;\\\\\\;
I tried the steps as posted by \\;\\\\\\;pococj. I copied them in my last post. See my answers in bold below.[/align]I had not come across these tests anywhere else but I thought I would give it a try. [/align] \\;\\\\\\;[/align]What od you think?[/align]Bucaman[/align][blockquote]piniongear at 6/30/2008 5:02:09 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 \\;\\\\\\; RE: Charging system still
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot follow how you made the generator output test.
You disconnected wires at A and F on the generator? Yes
Did you connect a jumper wire from F to ground? Yes Briefly.
You then connected the positive lead of a meter (question....what kind of meter are you using? Volt or amp?) to A and the negative lead to ground? Yes. It is a combination meter but I have it set for VDC. Again following the steps as posted. \\;\\\\\\;What do you think?[/blockquote]
[blockquote]
The instructions say to connect the positive lead of the ampmeter to A and then connect the negative lead momentarily to the battery positive positive post. Results....if the reading is 10 amps or more the generator is good. I performed this yesterday and was reading. 2.5 AMPS.
You give your values in volts, not amps. It sounds like you are trying to use a voltmeter rather than an ampmeter??????........pg
[/blockquote]
For what it's worth I had the same problem and found that the braided leads going to the brushes were loose inside the brush yet they still looked ok. I replaced the brushes &\\; springs and it works fine.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Charging system still
The only way I know to test the generator output is what the factory manual instructs us to do. If you have followed this procedure and the result tells you that you need a generator, then that is what you will have to get.
Sorry I could not be of more help.........pg
Sorry I could not be of more help.........pg
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
RE: Charging system still
I threw in the towel and order a new one last night. Should be here by Weds.
It seemed parts and testing were going to get me half to the cost of new. Picked one up for $160.00. @ J.J. Powersports Worcester Ma. They have a store on EBAY. I thought that was a fair price so I went for it.
Hopefully I will be riding this weekend without fear of shutting the bike off.
Thanks to all for the help.
It seemed parts and testing were going to get me half to the cost of new. Picked one up for $160.00. @ J.J. Powersports Worcester Ma. They have a store on EBAY. I thought that was a fair price so I went for it.
Hopefully I will be riding this weekend without fear of shutting the bike off.
Thanks to all for the help.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Charging system still
That is a good price, and when you consider what time will be spent monkeying around with trying to fix the old one (plus the cost of parts) it makes good sense to just buy a replacement.
Let us know how that works.........pg
Let us know how that works.........pg
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
RE: Charging system still
Life is good. Just installed the new generator and she is charging just fine. Will clean up some of the wiring and I can move on to the fun stuff like new tins and paint. Put my own look to it.
Thanks to all and HAPPY 4TH.
Thanks to all and HAPPY 4TH.