16 volts

seattle##gs · Jun 14, 2022

My Norton started breaking down on the ride home (test riding in the neighborhood). I made it home though it died twice. I measured the battery, a shorai, and read 16 volts. It dropped back to 13.35 a half hour later and I removed the electronic reg/rect.
My question is this: would the high voltage cause the Pazon to misfire and stop? It would start running again if I waited about 5 minutes and I could drive it further.

Tornado · Jun 14, 2022

Is the Shorai a lithium battery? Lithium cells ideally want a different charging voltage than lead acid. What was the voltage while engine was running at idle and at 3-5000 RPM? Sounds like the reg/rec maybe failing.

Most modern EI's have a limited voltage range they can handle...check your EI's documentation or the Pazon website for specs.

When my original Zener diode failed, my battery overcharged and bloated up from heat.

L.A.B. · Jun 14, 2022

seattle##gs said:
My question is this: would the high voltage cause the Pazon to misfire and stop?

http://www.pazon.com/files/PDF/PA2.pdf

"Maximum Supply Voltage: 16 Volts DC"

seattle##gs · Jun 14, 2022

I was at its limits with 16 volts. I did not measure the voltage at idle. When I did measure it I was expecting a low battery and was very surprised to read 16 volts. I hope no damage occurred to either the ignition or the battery. I have been having lots of problems that seemed like carburetion but everything looked good in that area. Could this high voltage make for a high and unexplained idle?

Tornado · Jun 14, 2022

seattle##gs said:
I was at its limits with 16 volts. I did not measure the voltage at idle. When I did measure it I was expecting a low battery and was very surprised to read 16 volts. I hope no damage occurred to either the ignition or the battery. I have been having lots of problems that seemed like carburetion but everything looked good in that area. Could this high voltage make for a high and unexplained idle?

I doubt a high idle is from this. More likely an air leak or incorrect carb adjustment. Was the 16v measurement taken while bike was running or shut off? If your regulator was not working correctly, the voltage would go higher than 16 v as rpm's increase....and will damage the battery and/or the ignition. But damage to the ignition circuitry would most likely be permanent and no further running would be possible with that unit.

Tornado · Jun 14, 2022

I will add that when my zener regulator failed, while out riding around town, bloating the battery, it did not damage my Wassel EI (similar to analog. Boyer). I was able to ride home, just had trouble if turn signals used while idling at lights since alternator at low rpm was insufficient when turns came on, engine would stumble. Later I tested the voltage at 15-16 volts at around 2500 rpm so this told me the zener was no longer regulating.

mean gene · Jun 14, 2022

Old trick if overcharging was to run with high beam head light on. Might get you home if high volts was the cause

chaztuna · Jun 14, 2022

mean gene said:
Old trick if overcharging was to run with high beam head light on. Might get you home if high volts was the cause

When faced with a full battery and an over voltage situation, I would also leave the ignition switch in the Accessory position and leave the lights on to drain the battery a bit. That way, the battery can absorb some of the over charge and stay running a bit longer. Most likely cause for your 2 break downs is that you did exceed 16 volts and the Pazon system shut itself down to protect itself.

seattle##gs · Jun 15, 2022

I'm grabbing at straws with the high idle thing. You wouldn't believe the number of giant problems I've had with this bike. For starters...a brand new frame from Andover Norton and the engine/trans won't fit
The voltage reading was taken with the motor stopped. The Shorai is still holding 13.35 volts two days later. The bike would not start yesterday, I fear the ei might be damaged, I will spend today checking all possibilities. I don't know if a voltage protection circuit is built in to the ei but I doubt it. The RR is the small cheap unit that the owner wanted. I always use podtronics which have given me little or no problems.

acotrel · Jun 15, 2022

For a long time, I have been looking for a very small 12 volt lithium battery to run my Boyer - total loss. Most of the batteries for power tools seem to be 20 volt or more. I thought of using a ballast resistor, but the voltage drop depends on the current draw. I do not know what current the Boyer draws.
I currently use the smallest 12 volt lead-acid battery. I have a new one in my shed, but if I fill it with acid I have to maintain it. A solar powered charger costs about $ 80. So I have done nothing.

MexicoMike · Jun 15, 2022

FWIW, The 18AH Shorai lithium/iron battery I purchased in '12 for my Alton-E-start equipped Commando lasted 10 years until needing a replacement. A few years ago, when my aftermarket alternator rotor disintegrated during a ride, after checking the problem at the side of the road, the Shorai started the bike and powered the Trispark ignition for more than 50 miles to get home and still had power left to restart the bike after fixing the problem.

seattle##gs · Jun 15, 2022

Anybody know if powering the pazon from an unregulated source would destroy it's timing yet allow it to fire?
I plan to run my Goldstar for a while using a Boyer crank triggered ignition with a Shorai...a total loss system. Until I fit a Joe Hunt mag. Which brings up another question...do you know anyone who has fit a Joe Hunt to a Goldstar?

16 volts

seattle##gs

Tornado

L.A.B.

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mean gene

chaztuna

seattle##gs

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