Topic: I BOTCHED IT!! :'( ...electrical system_rectifier?..regulator?...

[jph550]

Looks like I've gone and done it now.
After succesfully cleaning and putting back together my solenoid on a '76 550K I went and crossed and or grounded the live wires connected to the battery to the frame and or themselves in some way or another. This happened when I was putting the solenoid back into place on the fuse/electric plate after testing. (it did work after the cleaning when I connected the leads to the battery)

And so I now know and should have know then, "disconnect the battery!!!!!
....live and learn...

Now i hope to learn how to fix my mistakes. 

I read some posts that suggest that I may have fried my rectifier. I don't have a multi meter but may be able to borrow one in the mean time. I'm ordering one asap from harbor freight as  suggested by Two Tired.

The symptoms are as follows. Turn the key to ignition, (the normal position its in when I ride) and no headlight, no oil light like normal. So I changed the fuses with just purchased new ones. Still no headlight or oil light.

  ... ...panic started to set in so I walked away from the bike...back to the bike and ready to call it a night when I decide to cross the solenoid with the trickle charger hooked up. Engine cranks headlight comes on, neutral light on.. I think oil light and almost starts (fires spark and I think maybe I should leave well enough alone and call it a night) Now after a busy day at work I'm hoping I may find an answer and solution.


Any suggestions? Will a fried rectifier cause these symptoms?

all help and ridicule for not disconnecting the battery are welcome


peace,
jason

[jph550]

Initially I thought I may have fried my ignition switch....could it be that?

[jph550]

Ok. I think the best solution was for me to figure this out for myself. Thanks! I did. Seriously, I did something even more stupid than not disconnecting the battery. I hooked the solenoid back up improperly. That's why the headlight came on when I crossed the solenoid. Hook up corectly there was power to the headlight and it started right up. Now I'll still have to test my rectifier, just in case. The multi meter should be here soon enough.

On a lighter note, my neutral light now works after a spit polish and tightening down the sensor. However, I used to be able to run the bike in the 'parking light" mode and can't any longer. ?The lights don't light in parking mode either. Such a shame 'cause I used to conserve a little energy for city driving by running in this mode since the lights for the instrument cluster didn't light up when the key was in the second position.

One more thing to figure out.

  for now and just a little embaressed.

peace,
jason

[cbjunkie]

don't feel bad - i hooked up my Dyna coils wrong last week and almost immolated myself...not kidding...

it took my buddy, jim, 30 seconds to diagnose the problem and me 30 minutes to put it right again.

all the best,
junkie...

[jph550]

I just finished putting some new k81s on my '76 550K and have gotten around to testing my rectifier.
i think it is shot, based on the testing guidelines in the faqs. Any confirmation or advice would be great.
Results:
red lead to green and black to 3 yellows (in diode test mode); 541, 543, 531
black lead to green and red to 3 yellows (in diode test mode); 1, 1, 1

black lead to red/white and red to 3 yellows (in diode test mode); 529, 531, 543
red lead to red/white and black to 3 yellows (in diode test mode); 1, 1, 1

I tested the rectifier after taking it off of the bike.
I don't know what these numbers mean except they are different than expected results.
I'm still trying to understand what the rectifier does and what these numbers mean.

After testing this I also tested the voltage at the battery with engine running at 4000rpm and got a reading of 13.9 to 14.0 volts.
Is this good? The full load test (with igintion on headlight high and not running) was higher than 10.5V. Actuallly close to 12

The bike is running well enough, but I haven't been on any long rides and am hesitant to do so until I resolve these electrical questions.
Just when the heat is starting to brealk for the weekend here on the east coast.

peace,
jason

p.s. the k81s are great. don't know how I managed with the old chen shins (flat profile and hard as nails) I had on there before
thanks for the recommendations.