charging system problem?

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Aug 22, 2012 | 10:50 AM

#11

jeffreydsilver

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 6,508

Likes: 166

From: WPB, FL

Change the battery! DEFECTIVE!

Aug 22, 2012 | 11:10 AM

#12

JohnnyC

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 2,706

Likes: 14

From: Near Frankenmuth, MI

Read this carefully:

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkguitar

check that the VR (voltage regulator) is cleanly grounded to the bike at the mounts, loosen, clean, tighten.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fwb35

I will clean the connector, that seems to be the problem but will go over everything tonight in the garage.

Not the same thing.

Yes cleaning the connector's contacts can help but as MK pointed out you should unbolt the regulator and clean the mounting area so it makes a good solid ground to the frame where it's bolted.

Arcing and shorts can lead to damaging the stator by overheating it and melting the insulation in the windings and shorting internally, giving you a lower voltage. Either check the output of the stator with a test meter, you will be getting AC before the regulator which converts it to DC. Or open an inspection cover to the primary and take a whiff of the fumes. If it smells like a burning wire / transformer odds are the stator is damaged and needs replacement.

Aug 22, 2012 | 11:26 AM

#13

fwb35

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,672

Likes: 17

From: Orange, VA,

Thank you, thats actually what I meant, I am going to remove the regulator and clean all mounting points, check all voltages as well, thanks everybody for your input.

Aug 22, 2012 | 11:29 AM

#14

mkguitar

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 14,744

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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreydsilver

Change the battery! DEFECTIVE!

Based on ?

I didn't see anything from OP that would indicate a battery problem

mike

Aug 22, 2012 | 11:32 AM

#15

fwb35

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,672

Likes: 17

From: Orange, VA,

Thanks Mike, I know its not the battery, have been around cars and race cars to know when a battery is bad, just trying to learn about HD's now.

Thanks again.

Aug 22, 2012 | 12:37 PM

#16

jeffreydsilver

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 6,508

Likes: 166

From: WPB, FL

Based On

Quote:

Originally Posted by fwb35

On my way to work this morning I noticed my volt gauge below 12 volts, with the passing lamps on it is usually a little above 12 volts, I turned the lamps off and it came up a little but still below 12 volts. When I was stopped at a light it sat in the same position, when going thru the gears after the light it would shoot up to over 14 volts when the rpm's got above 3,000 but drop back down to below 12 when cruising. When I got to work, is a 60 mile one way drive, I shut the bike off, then re started it, it started fine, the battery is 2 months old, am I having a problem? The volt gauge has not ever been below 12 volts before this morning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreydsilver

Change the battery! DEFECTIVE!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkguitar

Based on ?

I didn't see anything from OP that would indicate a battery problem

mike

My diagnosis is based on the information provided. A volt gauge will never show below the available battery voltage. With his gauge normally showing "a little above 12 volts" but now showing "below 12 volts" I concluded a partially discharge battery. With the volts shooting up to over 14 with higher RPM's I concluded that the charging system is working properly. With the volts dropping below 12 while cruising (lower RPM's) I concluded that the battery was not being charged by the working charging system and there for was most likely defective.

In EVERYONE'S defense, all the cable and wire connections would have to be clean and tight in order for the system to be working properly all the time. Any loose or dirty connections could possibly cause an intermittent problem. As the problem was described, it is a constant (not intermittent) condition and once again I came to the conclusion of a probable bad battery.