Last month I finally was able to find/make time to replace the old 28A alternator with a used 40A one.
Took off the the fuel tank and swing arm, removed the alternator and base, converted one of the bolts to a 'Lewis pin', and installed the replacement base and alternator.
After bending upwards the brake hose bracket and removing the two gearbox bolts it actually fitted in easier than I had anticipated.
Connected all the wires and fired up the engine for a bit (on the left over fuel in the carbs) and saw voltage output go up to a nice 14.2-14.5V at (slighly over) idle.
Put bike back together and finally, after almost half a year, got to ride my own STeed once more.
Unfortunately the fun lasted just short of two weeks.
In the morning when I left for work voltage read 14.2-14.5V but when I arrived at the office it had dropped to 13.8 at idle.
When I left for home in the afternoon however, as soon as I hit the highway I noticed voltage dropping even lower, down to 12.3 before I had a chance to pull over at a gas station.
Initially I thought that perhaps the wire I used to connect the 50A fuse to the + side of the battery had a loose connection or something so I used some spare wire I had in my topcase to bypass it, but no luck.
In the end I ended up pulling the fuses for my lights so I could at least make it home - by that time voltage read 11.2V.
Anyway, checked the IG connection and this provides 12V to the alternator with the ignition switched on.
What else can I check to find the root cause? (preferably without removing the d*mn thing)
Took off the the fuel tank and swing arm, removed the alternator and base, converted one of the bolts to a 'Lewis pin', and installed the replacement base and alternator.
After bending upwards the brake hose bracket and removing the two gearbox bolts it actually fitted in easier than I had anticipated.
Connected all the wires and fired up the engine for a bit (on the left over fuel in the carbs) and saw voltage output go up to a nice 14.2-14.5V at (slighly over) idle.
Put bike back together and finally, after almost half a year, got to ride my own STeed once more.
Unfortunately the fun lasted just short of two weeks.
In the morning when I left for work voltage read 14.2-14.5V but when I arrived at the office it had dropped to 13.8 at idle.
When I left for home in the afternoon however, as soon as I hit the highway I noticed voltage dropping even lower, down to 12.3 before I had a chance to pull over at a gas station.
Initially I thought that perhaps the wire I used to connect the 50A fuse to the + side of the battery had a loose connection or something so I used some spare wire I had in my topcase to bypass it, but no luck.
In the end I ended up pulling the fuses for my lights so I could at least make it home - by that time voltage read 11.2V.
Anyway, checked the IG connection and this provides 12V to the alternator with the ignition switched on.
What else can I check to find the root cause? (preferably without removing the d*mn thing)
