Reg/Rect output ok but not at Battery

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madass140

madass140

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Around 15v coming from the reg/rec but when connected to battery ,only showing the battery voltage 12.2v. It would seem there is a load at the battery but there is not,
When connected to remote battery same result , only the battery voltage is there.
New 3 phase Alt and rotor. new Battery. new Reg/rec.
Any clues?
 
extra ground wires to engine and frame . no difference. Before I fitted the 3 phase alternator I had the same charging issue
or lack of, I had changed the reg/rec but still the same so thats when I decided to upgrade to the 3 phase alternator thinking it was the alternator. all in vain. I only get about 1v above battery voltage going in
 
With this much replacement and the amount of time (and $) you have invested, the concept of correct wire gauge and connection quality would have been addressed. What I fine puzzling is this is all pretty straight forward, everything can be tested/verified/bypassed. Seems like that problem would be hard to hide.
One thing I have learned - just because something is new guarantees nothing.
 
madass140 said:
I only get about 1v above battery voltage going in
Click to expand...

If the voltage at the battery is higher with the regulator attached than when it is not - you probably don't have a problem - especially if you're checking at idle.
 
Faulty voltmeter??? - Try it on another charging system .

On an old bike you invariably will get connection and wire problems
 
yes I wondered about my volt meter
not really old bike 100% new electrics, and just about everything else
Reg/Rect output ok but not at Battery
Reg/Rect output ok but not at Battery
Reg/Rect output ok but not at Battery
 
madass140 said:
well I did, and the voltage has gone up.you obviously know something I dont
Click to expand...

The flat(ish) battery is being charged, to a gradually increasing voltage? I think that’s supposed to happen.

Is there a charging current to the battery when the engine is running at usable rpm? What are the amp and volt
measurements at a particular time?
 
Triton Thrasher said:
The flat(ish) battery is being charged, to a gradually increasing voltage? I think that’s supposed to happen.

Is there a charging current to the battery when the engine is running at usable rpm? What are the amp and volt
measurements at a particular time?
Click to expand...
Battery is being charged at about 1v above its status ,so if the battery status is 12v then it will gradually increase to 13v max as revs rise
 
With the battery isolated from the charging circuit, there should be something over 14 V across the DC output of the regulator, at above idling rpm. I don’t know exactly what rpm on your setup.
 
yes. thats what I get, around 15v isolated from the battery. Once connected about 13v if I'm lucky
 
Fully charged, a lead acid battery is about 13.2 volts. ANY voltage above that with a fully charged battery measured at the battery with everything connected normally and the engine running means you are OK. If the battery is partly discharged, as long as the voltage at the battery is higher with the charging circuit attached than without out, you are fine. I think you are trying to fix something that ain't broke.

Meters aren't always accurate. I have a quality meter but all I do to check is connect it with engine not running, ignition on, lights off - note the reading. Start the bike and rev it a little. If the voltage is higher than before, I smile and disconnect the meter.

BTW, for most motorcycle testing I would rather have a $5 analog meter than a $100 digital meter!
 
madass140
I agree with marshg246, and have a cheapish TIM analogue car voltmeter which matches my instruments and usually charges around 13.5v with lights on, but occasionally can drop to indicated 12.5v at lower revs.
Turning off lights will get it higher but not necessary as it is charging OK and if I turn off the motor and turn on ignition to check without starting motor, rest voltage is always around 13-13.5v with Shorai battery, so I trust it to do it,s job.
Lucas 3 phase and Sparx reg/rec by the way, 100% reliable in last 6500 miles and never needed to top up with smart charger in that time.
No connectors, no worries, fully soldered and heatshrink.
 
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The Shorai will not reach full charge with the normal charging system since a fully charged Shorai is 14.4 volts. HOWEVER, in the 5+ years of using a Shorai Batt, It doesn't really make any difference as far as I can tell. A standard system, if working properly, will get the Shorai to around 80%-85% full charge which, on my Commando with the Alton E-start/Shorai 18, seems to be plenty.

I have the Shorai Charger but I could count on one hand how many times I have actually plugged it in since I bought it 4 years ago. I bought th charger because I thought I should, not because there seemed to be any real need for it. ;)
 
MexicoMike
that 14.4v is what my FJ1200 charges its Shorai but as you say, on standard Britbike setups makes no obvious difference if everything is in top condition.
Certainly doesn,t affect reliability and this and my Mk3,s Shorai LFX21 (also 5 years and e start only) may beat my 8 year Yuasa Yumicron record. (competely dead)
There was a post with a link somewhere, maybe NOC where it turned out 13.5-13.7v charging is optimum for our systems but I deleted it after reading.
Madass140 charge rate seems a bit low but may come right with a rideout.
 
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well update. new Podtronic 3 phase reg/rect arrived now its charging around 14.5v showing on my analogue multi meter
So it was my new reg/rect that was not working properly.
 
Pleased to hear you’re sorted, not least because I’m in the process of upgrading to three phase

Dave
 
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