Hi all,
my charging system is not, well...charging.
I've a '91 ST, with the 40amp alternator upgrade done some 12+ yrs ago.
This past weekend,
I noticed the voltmeter not reading the usual 13.5v with all lights on,
but 12.5v, and decreasing as the ride continued.
Until it got to 10.6v, and the bike would barely stay alive.
I thought it was my 5yr old+ battery finally calling it quits.
Bike made it to Sears, and got a new bat.
Still about a 1/2 hr from my destination, I watched the new battery go from 12.5v,
down to 12.0 by time I got there. So, no charging system.
Once at my hotel, I checked all fuses, wiring, and connectors.
All good and nothing burnt.
And then leaving the next morning,
I watched it go from 12.0v, down down down....blahhhh.
Being my '91 ST has the 40amp Alt,
the regulator/rectifier is piggybacked on the alt unit.
Now the s-load of questions...
How can I check which is the culprit ? The alternator itself or the reg/rect unit ?
What are the ohm resistance readings ?
And how do I test either ?
Can I get to it by simply removing the rear wheel and not the whole swing arm assembly ?
And...can you just replace one or the other ?
I appreciate any assistance.
thanx all.
Vincent
my charging system is not, well...charging.
I've a '91 ST, with the 40amp alternator upgrade done some 12+ yrs ago.
This past weekend,
I noticed the voltmeter not reading the usual 13.5v with all lights on,
but 12.5v, and decreasing as the ride continued.
Until it got to 10.6v, and the bike would barely stay alive.
I thought it was my 5yr old+ battery finally calling it quits.
Bike made it to Sears, and got a new bat.
Still about a 1/2 hr from my destination, I watched the new battery go from 12.5v,
down to 12.0 by time I got there. So, no charging system.
Once at my hotel, I checked all fuses, wiring, and connectors.
All good and nothing burnt.
And then leaving the next morning,
I watched it go from 12.0v, down down down....blahhhh.
Being my '91 ST has the 40amp Alt,
the regulator/rectifier is piggybacked on the alt unit.
Now the s-load of questions...
How can I check which is the culprit ? The alternator itself or the reg/rect unit ?
What are the ohm resistance readings ?
And how do I test either ?
Can I get to it by simply removing the rear wheel and not the whole swing arm assembly ?
And...can you just replace one or the other ?
I appreciate any assistance.
thanx all.
Vincent