by phlat65 » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:45 am
the alternator produces ALternating current (A/C), and the regulator/ rectifier assy converts it to Direct current (D/C).
the output from the alternator on your volt meter set on an A/C scale should read well above 20 volts at 3-5k rpm.
find the regulator/rectifier on the bike. it has 6 wires total. 3 white wires from the alternator, 1 main ground is brown, turns to black into the reg.
1 wire is red/black, .75mm, B+ with the key on through the 3a fuse in the fuse holder.
1 wire is red/white, 1.5mm should be B+ all the time through the 20a fuse in the fuse holder.
so, key on engine off, you should have B+ at the red/white, red/black, and 0volts at the ground (if ground is bad, you will have a voltage reading there.)
engine running you should have A/C voltage between any 2 of the white wires, and more than 13 volts on the B+ wires, and still close to 0 volts on the ground.
checking for voltage drops. if the voltage at the regulator on the red white is more than .2-.3 volts higher than battery voltage, you have resistance through a connector. make sure to do the same check on the ground side.
the charging wire has 3 connections between the battery. 1 at the regulator, and 2 at the fuse holder. use your volt meter to check both sides of the fuse holder with the bike runnung. any difference in the readings will lead you to a problem.
also remember that resistance causes heat, so after it has been runnung for a few minutes, any bad connection will stat to get hot, unless itis completely open.
hope this helps, good luck!
2001 MZ Black Panther
2001 Suzuki RM125 (full Enduro)
Old Hondas- TT500 Ascott, 305 Dream Touring