Voltage Regulator???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,363
Likes: 24,233
From: NC, USA
My SG did something similar. Checked the cables (tight), checked battery running a bit low around 12a, replaced the Rectifier still not fully charging, next stop the Stator. It was burned to the point you could smell it.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
Yes, indeed! If the regulator is allowing 21 volts to pass that needs to be corrected.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
Checked stator, volts are at about 20 at idle then go up when rev'd up...put voltmeter on battery leads, started the bike and idled at about 1000 rpm's.....only getting about 13 volts.....thought I was suppose to get 14+
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Sounds about right. If you raise revs above idle that figure should soon rise to over 14 volts. As you raise revs further it should stay at around 14.5, but no higher than 14.7 volts.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
it points to the VR-
but there could be other reasons- a bad cable/connection/ battery etc. may cause the stator to go full out put to zero out put intermittently.
so the rider does the methodical checks- or they replace parts.
replacing a good VR ( for example) when the battery is bad, may result in burning up the new VR. the same could apply to the stator.
for the other guy- the stator should give you about 20 volts AC per 1000 rpms in a very linear fashion...so at 3000 rpms you should have 60 volts and etc.
ensure that is correct, then measure the DC voltage.
be sure that your battery is charged, or your numbers can be skewed
mike
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
Thank you for all responses. Spoke with HD dealership today and relayed results to them. He said everything sounds good to him and suggested on putting heat to the regulator to see if that may be the issue. Put a heat gun to it while running and not lights came on and voltage stayed around 13 volts +-. Turned hi beams on, radio and blinkers with no significant drop and stayed steady. Not sure what happened last night, but no engine light or battery light today......it's odd. I wonder if the regulator is acting intermittent?!?!
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Western Pennsylvania
Ok, so far I gave the battery a full charge. After full charge battery was over 13 volts. Next started the bike and check volts. Not charging. Down to about 12.6 volts. Next I pulled the stator wire from the VR. Checked Olms. That was good. Checked volts from stator with bike running. Volts between 18-20. Revving the bike to about 2000 rpms. 39 volts from stator. Don't think I need to but gonna check VR next. Thanks for help. You guys rock!!!!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 81,309
Likes: 36,894
From: Oklahoma City
There have been several threads on this recently. In more than one instance it was simply the VR ground cable being slightly loose. Seems we always check the battery cables for tight and forget this little gem.
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TooEasy
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Dec 19, 2012 05:19 PM