Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Not Enough Voltage

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Not Enough Voltage

    When I got this bike two weeks ago it came with a rigged ON switch to get the light going because the alternator could not turn it on. Went thru field coil and stator and they are working. Cleaned the ground wires, wired the stator wires direct with butt connectors and cleaned up all connections under fuse box (waiting for my new fusebox to arrive) and voltage regulators connectors and now the light comes on on its own and at 4,000 rpm I can pull 13.7 volts but although I saw 14.5 volts one time a week ago I've never been back there. Got a used voltage regulator on the way and hoping this cures all. Is it normal for these regulators to act in this fashion...kind of a slow death. I hate electrical issues.
    Last edited by neJeff; 07-07-2011, 11:47 AM.
    Current Daily Rides / Projects

    1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
    1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
    1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

  • #2
    Did you test like this?

    http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67

    Does the regulator get real hot while the bike is running?
    "If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z. X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut." - Albert Einstein

    "Illegitimi non carborundum"-Joseph W. "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell



    1980 LG
    1981 LH

    Comment


    • #3
      Have not done all of it but the case is magnetized and the tach works fine. Have not had bike running with access to the regulator
      Current Daily Rides / Projects

      1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
      1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
      1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by dpotter58 View Post
        Did you test like this?

        http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67

        Does the regulator get real hot while the bike is running?
        My reg/rec works and tests fine, burned the s**t out of my arm once when I payed my arm on it!
        Nathan
        KD9ARL

        μολὼν λαβέ

        1978 XS1100E
        K&N Filter
        #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
        OEM Exhaust
        ATK Fork Brace
        LED Dash lights
        Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

        Green Monster Coils
        SS Brake Lines
        Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

        In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

        Theodore Roosevelt

        Comment


        • #5
          With no gas tank it might be hard to keep it running. It's back to its old tricks, light won't turn on by itself and after 30 minute trip battery is dead!
          Current Daily Rides / Projects

          1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
          1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
          1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

          Comment


          • #6
            Sounds like you have an "almost short" in the wiring. Something not bad enough to blow a fuse, but something drawing a lot of amps.
            Find the fuses, main and auxillary, pull the wire from the battery to the start solenoid, put amp meter between the wire and the terminal and see what it reads with the key off. If you don't have an amp meter, use a 12 volt lamp, like a brake or park light.
            Charge the battery. Turn on the key. does the lamp light, or the amp meter read a value? Take out the main fuse. Did the light go out? Put the fuse back in, and pull one of the other fuses. Did that change the reading or the brightness of the lamp? Leave that fuse out and go to the next fuse. Go to next one, and the next. At some point, the lamp should go out. If it doesn't, start looking for a chafed point in the harness.
            Let us know what you find. CZ

            Comment


            • #7
              Ok, will do this today. Thanks and I will report back
              Current Daily Rides / Projects

              1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
              1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
              1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by neJeff View Post
                With no gas tank it might be hard to keep it running. It's back to its old tricks, light won't turn on by itself and after 30 minute trip battery is dead!
                Is this with the new reg/rec?
                "If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z. X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut." - Albert Einstein

                "Illegitimi non carborundum"-Joseph W. "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell



                1980 LG
                1981 LH

                Comment


                • #9
                  No, this is still with the old one. Got one coming (used one) but still is not here. I am hoping it's JUST the regulator/rectifier and nothing else. Will be doing the tests soon...
                  Current Daily Rides / Projects

                  1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
                  1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
                  1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Found nothing goofy to report with the wiring...regulator ship tomorrow
                    Current Daily Rides / Projects

                    1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
                    1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
                    1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Still haven't got the regulator in yet but now everything seems to be working fine. Putting out 14+ on the volts at highway speeds and lights coming on fine on its own.
                      Current Daily Rides / Projects

                      1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
                      1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
                      1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Board member Geezer has a real nice upgraded unit-cant go wrong with that!
                        1980 XS1100 SG
                        Inline fuel filters
                        New wires in old coils-outer spark plugs
                        160 mph speedometer mod
                        Kerker Exhaust
                        xschop K & N air filter setup
                        Dynojet Recalibration kit
                        1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
                        1997 Jeep Cherokee 4.5"lift installed

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I had the same grief. I ended up replacing the wiring harness because it was faulty. Don't be alarmed, I'm not saying that is your problem. Did you do a load test on your battery? I find that the batteries don't die fast, but they do tend to create these problems without any warning when they start to get old.

                          Good luck,
                          Wayne
                          80 XS1100 SG "Phoenix"

                          "We are the type of band that if we moved in next door to you...Your lawn would die"
                          Lemmy from Motorhead

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Replacing the wiring harness seems a bit excessive.I bought 2 harnesses about 2 years ago that they swore were for a 80 SG -they were not and not returnable.I have the stock regulator laying around-just decided to upgrade to a better one.If you need it -let me know as it is collecting dust.And replacing the wiring harness is a pain in the --s besides.
                            1980 XS1100 SG
                            Inline fuel filters
                            New wires in old coils-outer spark plugs
                            160 mph speedometer mod
                            Kerker Exhaust
                            xschop K & N air filter setup
                            Dynojet Recalibration kit
                            1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
                            1997 Jeep Cherokee 4.5"lift installed

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Well apparently my cleaning and recleaning of the connectors worked magic because I'm six days in with full charging and no problems. Don't know what exactly did the trick but so far so good.
                              Current Daily Rides / Projects

                              1979 Yamaha XS1100F (since 2015)...Project
                              1980 Suzuki GS850G (since 2012)
                              1979 Kawasaki KZ400B (since 2013)

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X