wiring harness

[mack]

So I started cleaning the wiring harness today. I noted tape that wasn't the same as the rest, so I un-wound it and discovered several splices but this one, made me stop and puzzle, Has anyone seen this one in the harness before. The lump in the middle makes me wonder if is is not some sort of fusable link. Note that it is a solid white wire located just below the the "Y" at the D ring location. Cannot get the photo any clear"r unless I steal my daughers cell phone. Crap, paid big bucks for this camera 12 years ago and now they have better in cell phones free of charge. God I feel old.

[crazy steve]

Mack, that's probably the diode they used to 'convert' the AC to DC to drive the headlight relay. That white wire should be in one of the wires from the alternator and should go to the relay plug...

[ViperRon]

Diode

That is the diode as Steve said. When I put my bike back together mine was bad. I got a Diode from Radio Shack could not find the value of it anywhere in documents. You can check it with OHM meter and most multimeters have a diode checker selection. It should show resistance in one direction and open when leads are reversed. If yours is bad you will not have headlight. The Radio Shack part number I used was 276-1114 and the white band (cathode side) goes toward the relay. Steve if you have any better info on what to use as replacement chime in. I could not find any info on the value. Mine has been running fine on the Radio Shack one I put in.

[mack]

Ok

I've found soooo much wrong with this bike I guess I'm getting a bit paraniod.

[GLoweVA]

I currently have my headlight relay jumpered out. I think my diode might be bad. Now I know where to find it.

THANKS!

[crazy steve]

...Steve if you have any better info on what to use as replacement chime in. I could not find any info on the value. Mine has been running fine on the Radio Shack one I put in.

Any diode with enough current capacity should work fine. I can't imagine the relay coil drawing more than 100Ma (.1 amp), so most any will work if they're rated for that much or more.

[cywelchjr]

Any diode with enough current capacity should work fine. I can't imagine the relay coil drawing more than 100Ma (.1 amp), so most any will work if they're rated for that much or more.

The current level is pretty low, but make sure that the diode is rated for at least 14v or it will likely burn right out again. I forget off the top of my head the diode I used on my XS400, but all the Yamaha's that use the headlight relay with the diode external to the relay use the same diode and I just got something that I figured would most likely be at least 50% higher than original since I figured the original burned out, most likely from over heating meaning it was carrying more current than it liked. Being that I've repaired electronics for a living most of my life, and worked in R&D in the Army for a few years, plus designed a few circuits as a hobby, I felt safe in modifying it.

[ViperRon]

Radio Shack diode

Spec's for Diode 276-1114 pack of 3 Temp range -85 to 320 F, Peak inverse voltage 1000 V, Forward current 1.5A Peak surge current 50A, Forward voltage drop1.1V

I am pretty sure this is overkill but it’s a commonly supplied easy to get in stock diode and I used high amperage mainly to protect the circuits because it is directly in line with the alternator output. And if it goes out on a long trip to nowhere because I sized it too small people here will never let me forget it.

[mack]

Thanx Ron

You did a lot of work for me on this, I appreciate it. this harness has a lot of broken wires and patches poorly done. I worked on it all day and figure about two more to go before I'll install it. Have to get some shrink wrap and a few rolls of electrical tape tomorrow. Thanx again.