1970 ironhead battery Problem
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: florida
1970 ironhead battery Problem
Hi everyone got a problem got a brand new battery for some reason when i ride for a little while it goes dead and i have been told it could be the generator or voltage regulator. So the question is how would i test to see what one it is thats bad any help would be grateful Thanks Jay
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: texas
love them thongs???? what???!!you got the wrong site my friend----i gotta quit speed reading.
you need to acquire an voltmeter and check and make sure youre batt is actually dead and not bad conn or ??...if so check the wires coming from youre volt reg.that shouuld give you an idea about whats wrong.-------i forgot exactly how to check the gen so i will leave that for the pros.
you need to acquire an voltmeter and check and make sure youre batt is actually dead and not bad conn or ??...if so check the wires coming from youre volt reg.that shouuld give you an idea about whats wrong.-------i forgot exactly how to check the gen so i will leave that for the pros.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Thought I recently read in my manual recently that you can only check the generator for continuity - nothing else. Could be wrong. If I wander into the garage later tonight, I'll double-check.
Course, some of the folks here may know something the manual doesn't, too. If you don't already have one, you should pick one up!
Course, some of the folks here may know something the manual doesn't, too. If you don't already have one, you should pick one up!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Houston Texas
Hi everyone got a problem got a brand new battery for some reason when i ride for a little while it goes dead and i have been told it could be the generator or voltage regulator. So the question is how would i test to see what one it is thats bad any help would be grateful Thanks Jay
The next step is to first check to make certain your generator signal light is not grounded. This light being grounded will suck the battery dry overnight.
As follows.....
If that checks out as not being grounded, then proceed to check the generator output. Follow the instructions carefully. What you are wanting to see is an output of 10 amps or more. If you see that then the generator is good and the problem is almost certainly to be the voltage regulator.
I will not get into that right here because your plate is full enough. Just do this check step by step as I have laid it out.
When you are done and have all of the wires connected up and BEFORE YOU START THE ENGINE.....Then do this last step known as polarizing the field coils, or more commonly called 'flashing the field.'
The field flashing exercise should always be done after any wire has been removed from the generator, the battery, or the voltage regulator.
All the checks you need to do are listed on this page. Do them in the order I have listed them.
I repeat, you cannot use a volt meter to do the generator test......you need an ammeter. A volt meter may be used later on to check the voltage regulator, a test not shown here.
Report back to us on what you find.........pg
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6th Gear
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From: florida
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
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From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
There are aftermarket regulators what are attached to end cap of generator. There is coming only one wire or there is only one terminal wich is connected to battery.
Usually it's very practical to add fuse (15-20 Amps) into this wire what comes from regulator and is going to battery. If generator blows up it doesn't burn regulator.