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What type of electrical load do you have on the system? Type lights if not OEM, additional electronics/lighting, etc.?
All the above is good information.
Have you thought about changing to an alternator system?
Ditch the Clymer manual and find a Harley Service manual hard copy or download one in PDF online.
Make sure all connection are correct and circuit breakers are working correctly. Almost sounds like you system is not charging at all and you are just reading battery voltage.
My bike is barebones basic, it's been switched over to electronic ignition and had an s&s super e but very basic.
The stock regulator or replacement must be grounded through the the case. (paint at the mounting bolt surface can be a problem)You can check this with an ohmeter.
Checking regulator is done on bike, running at 2000 rpm.
As was mentioned any excess load will affect the output voltage.
If you are running a generator, it should not have a rectifier. Generator puts out DC current and so does not need a rectifier. Rectifier is for alternators only, to convert the AC current to DC.
If you have a generator hooked up to a later rectifier/regulator unit, that may be the source of your trouble. You need to get the proper regulator unit.
Only the very last Ironheads that had a crappy alternator wrapped around the clutch took a rectifier. Your 79 should still use the old-style DC generator mounted in front of the front cylinder base and hooked up to a pure regulator, no rectifier.
It is best to spend the money and get a good quality regulator. Cycle Electric is USA made and reliable.
If you are running a generator, it should not have a rectifier. Generator puts out DC current and so does not need a rectifier. Rectifier is for alternators only, to convert the AC current to DC.
If you have a generator hooked up to a later rectifier/regulator unit, that may be the source of your trouble. You need to get the proper regulator unit.
Only the very last Ironheads that had a crappy alternator wrapped around the clutch took a rectifier. Your 79 should still use the old-style DC generator mounted in front of the front cylinder base and hooked up to a pure regulator, no rectifier.
It is best to spend the money and get a good quality regulator. Cycle Electric is USA made and reliable.
I kept what came out on It but, if an old voltage regulator will get me to charging and make my ride reliable then I will do it. I'll check into a cycle electric VR. Thanks for the info. I'll post the results when I get one and get it put on. Thanks again.
...I've put gennys, voltage regulators new battery, the works so, i started over, I've got a brand new battery, a brand new generator and a brand new regulator/rectifier
I'm confused. You put a new rec/reg on it or you kept what came with it?
Just for clarity , what replacement unit did you use ? Brand, part number.
has the original connector been removed, replaced or altered?
It should look like this
I'm confused. You put a new rec/reg on it or you kept what came with it?
DOH!! Sorry, it came with a rectifier/regulator 79 when they started putting em on I think, it came with one so, I went back with the same. I looked for just a regulator but the last year you could get it for was 78. 79 (yaaaay!!!) Is that bastard year. I grounded the regulator to the frame and hell, it's charging now. I'm an idiot when it comes to wiring but, I am learning.
Just for clarity , what replacement unit did you use ? Brand, part number.
has the original connector been removed, replaced or altered?
It should look like this
That's it! Hellz yeah, the wiring harness is new so it hasn't been butchered. I grounded to the frame last night and it's charging now.
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