Emergency Electrical Question for the Colective

[Semper Gumby]

Ok!  I know its been a while but I have a deaded bike this AM.  It's a miracle I made it home last night in the dark and the rain.  

The bike is not charging.

1) This morning the Odessy is taking a charge with no errors showing.
2) When I turn on the ignition, I have no generator lights.  I say lights because I have two generator lights in my system instead of a light and a resistor.  The R65's puny 1.5 watt bulb was not enough to energize the Omega 400 watt alternator.

I'm looking at the wiring diagram and I suspect
a) the wiring to the Gen lights,
b) the regulator,
c) the rectifier,
d) the rotor, or
e) the brushes.

Anybody have something similar to this before?

Regards,

Gumby

[Bob_Roller]

Bill good to hear your still around !!!
I'd start simple, check all the electrical connections .
You can bypass the regulator, by placing a jumper wire across the electrical connector, if everything else in the system is still good, you should get something in the range of 16 volts of output from the charging system .
Can't remember which wires to jumper and I'm at work until 7 PM today so I won't be much help  until after 11 PM your time, maybe someone else can provide the information .
Rotor test is pretty quick, but you need to place a piece of paper between the brushes and the slip rings on the rotor, so you just get  a reading of the rotor itself .
I replaced the GEN lamp, with a higher wattage bulb, I think it's a 4.5 watt, I believe it's a 194 bulb .

[montmil]

A non-functioning charge indicator light (GEN lamp/s) is usually the first sign of a failed rotor. Failed rotors are the most often causes of problems in the charging system.

Lift the brushes off the rotor or do as Bob suggests and slip some paper between brushes and slip rings. Use an ohm meter to check for 3.4 ohms +/- 10 percent. No correct reading likely means the rotor has an open circuit.

This is an easy charge system check. Sing out with results.

Edit 'cause I forgot something:

To take the VR out of the system and check charge voltage, unplug the three-wire connector (brown, blue, black) and jumper the blue and black wires. Read voltage to battery.

[Semper Gumby]

Thanks.  Rotor.  Start there and work my way aft... Oi Vey.  Time for a call to Rick me thinks.

[montmil]

Thanks.  Rotor.  Start there and work my way aft... Oi Vey.  Time for a call to Rick me thinks.

While you're chatting up Rick Jones, go ahead and purchase his handy n' helpful book, "Classic Boxer Charging". I couldn't take care of my three Airheads without this spiral-bound gem.

[Semper Gumby]

(GACK) I got no ohms between the slip rings and no ohms between either slip ring and ground.

So bad rotor.

I guess now might a good time to discuss Rick's 600 watt alternator he is now advertising on his website.

Has anybody tried one of these?


Rick is not answering his phone.  I send email.... :-/ :-/ :-/

[montmil]

Replacing a bad rotor is no big deal. Any reason you feel the need to spring for a 600 watt alternator?

[Semper Gumby]

Any reason you feel the need to spring for a 600 watt alternator?

This is my second 400 watt rotor!