Dumb Charging System Question!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
so- roughly...on most model the stator will produce 16 to 20 volts ac per 1000 rpms.
at 3000 rpms that would be 45~60 volts ac ( ac, like your house)
the voltage regulator converts the ac to dc which sheds some power in the conversion- and then limits the dc to less than 14.8 volts DC.
thats the long story- the short story is that there is enough power at idle to run the lights and keep the motor running.
to re-charge the battery you have to be revving higher than idle speed ( which usually means riding the bike, which will cool the motor and the voltage regulator)
if you need to charge the battery, get a charger ( not a tender)
any 1 bad component of the charging system, battery, stator and voltage regulator can destroy the other 2.
the tech board, electrical has a charging system diagnostic- as does the service manual
mike
at 3000 rpms that would be 45~60 volts ac ( ac, like your house)
the voltage regulator converts the ac to dc which sheds some power in the conversion- and then limits the dc to less than 14.8 volts DC.
thats the long story- the short story is that there is enough power at idle to run the lights and keep the motor running.
to re-charge the battery you have to be revving higher than idle speed ( which usually means riding the bike, which will cool the motor and the voltage regulator)
if you need to charge the battery, get a charger ( not a tender)
any 1 bad component of the charging system, battery, stator and voltage regulator can destroy the other 2.
the tech board, electrical has a charging system diagnostic- as does the service manual
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 18, 2017 at 06:12 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,027
From: Carlsbad, CA
Mkguitar: Good reply.
OP: it might help if you told us why you are asking. For example, if you are idling in traffic for 1 hour with a 500 watt stereo blaring, you can have a net loss and run the battery down.
OP: it might help if you told us why you are asking. For example, if you are idling in traffic for 1 hour with a 500 watt stereo blaring, you can have a net loss and run the battery down.
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