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Charging problem

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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 07:34 PM
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Default Charging problem
My 2001 883 has stopped charging the battery. it dies very slowly while riding but will never cut out, runs perfect until i shut it off and try and restart it. the battery checked out perfect and the bike will run flawlessly until i cut it off. so would the rectifier be the problem? anyone else have this happen? bike only has 7000 miles on it.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by xtremess
My 2001 883 has stopped charging the battery. it dies very slowly while riding but will never cut out, runs perfect until i shut it off and try and restart it. the battery checked out perfect and the bike will run flawlessly until i cut it off. so would the rectifier be the problem? anyone else have this happen? bike only has 7000 miles on it.
How old is the battery? If the battery's good,the stator needs checking out.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike T
How old is the battery? If the battery's good,the stator needs checking out.
I took the battery to advanced and had them test it, i dont know how accurate there testers are, the battery is maybe 2 years old. i checked voltage at the battery and it was 12.5 volts at idle and 12.5 when reving, does not change, it runs perfect no matter how far or long im out on it there is no issues until its turned off which is leading me to think the stator is fine and it may be the rectifier is not charging the battery while im riding. there is no drain while the bike is off and sitting.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by xtremess
I took the battery to advanced and had them test it, i dont know how accurate there testers are, the battery is maybe 2 years old. i checked voltage at the battery and it was 12.5 volts at idle and 12.5 when reving, does not change, it runs perfect no matter how far or long im out on it there is no issues until its turned off which is leading me to think the stator is fine and it may be the rectifier is not charging the battery while im riding. there is no drain while the bike is off and sitting.
I have not yet worked on the charging system of a Sportster, but on almost anything the voltage should be around 14 volts when running and being charged..
 
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 08:28 PM
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I've had a lot experience working with Sportster charging system. With the engine running and reved up to around 2,500 rpm. You should be getting over 14 volts at the battery. Sounds like either the Stator or voltage regulator. You can test the stator. Unplug where it goes into the voltage regulator. Test output. It will be AC current, and should be 70 - 140 volts out of the stator.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by SportyPig
I've had a lot experience working with Sportster charging system. With the engine running and reved up to around 2,500 rpm. You should be getting over 14 volts at the battery. Sounds like either the Stator or voltage regulator. You can test the stator. Unplug where it goes into the voltage regulator. Test output. It will be AC current, and should be 70 - 140 volts out of the stator.
i am gonna give that a try tomorrow. if the stator test fine then it must be the regulator im assuming. thanks for the input.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2010 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by SportyPig
Test output. It will be AC current, and should be 70 - 140 volts out of the stator.
14 VAC at 1,000 RPM,s, 32 VAC at 2,000 RPM,s
 
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Old Nov 23, 2010 | 08:28 AM
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The isn't really a way to test the voltage regulator, but if the stator output is good, and the charge to the battery is weak, it's either the voltage regulator, or a bad connection somewhere.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2010 | 09:04 AM
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Do you keep your batteryy on a battery tender?
 
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Old Nov 23, 2010 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike T
14 VAC at 1,000 RPM,s, 32 VAC at 2,000 RPM,s
The stator output should range from a minimum of ~22 VAC at fast idle (1500 RPM), and increase upwards to over 70 VAC as engine RPM is increased.
 
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