Topic: Solved: Charging issue do to open circuit? Fast battery drain at idle.

[_millmo]

As the bike idles, the voltage drops at a pretty fast rate.  If I rev the engine, the volts go up only a little bit, and as I let off, it seems like the volts drop a lot because of the rev.

Here is the thing, I MUST have a significant draw(s) in my harness for the battery to drain within 15 blocks.  There are no blinkers, no dash lights, etc...just a headlight and tail light.  But, I haven't bridged or connected any of the wiring for those blinkers or dash lights.  Could that be the big draw?  Do all of those wires need to be connected in order to close the circuit? The stator tested good, the regulator/rectifier tested good with the diode test, brand new battery.  I tested the voltage coming out of the regulator and it only showed 9+ at idle and I would assume that it should be 12+

Also, I see the ground to frame at the coils, and there is a battery to engine mount ground...but should there be a battery to frame ground on this bike?  This project came in as a bag of bones so I'm not sure.

[b52bombardier1]

How much AC voltage do you see at the battery with the bike running at half throttle?

Rick

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[_millmo]

I found that if I unplug the headlight the charging system works fine. The bulb on this light from China is an H4 60/55w. Stock says it should be 40/50w.  Also I dont think that there is a headlight relay on this bike.  was there originally?

Do you think that having a little bit bigger bulb would draw THAT much more power?  Or do you think that there is some sort of short that would cause the light to pull power?

The battery grounds at the engine mount as long as it is sandwiched between the frame, mount and engine with clean metal (frame and mount).

I'd suspect the BLK wire on your Regulator is not detecting proper voltage and therefore is not sending a charge back to your battery.

More diagnostic tests are needed to determine your actual problems.

I will check the AC voltage when I get to the shop this morning, b52bombardier1.  As well as upload a pic of my ground "solution," calj737.  There is one green female plug at the rear of the harness that has nothing plugged into it.  Thats why I thought there might be another ground that I am missing...comes out right next to the flasher (i think) relay.

[_millmo]

I replaced the headlight bulb. Still loses charge when light is in.

There is no tac but the AC voltage is roughly 1.62 at half throttle or so.

Is there supposed to be a headlight relay on this bike? I wired the new headlight plug right to the matching wires:

I also cleaned up the engine ground and changed the bolt cause there was a bit of rust:

[b52bombardier1]

At 1.62 volts AC, you have have a failing diode or two in your rectifier.  My bikes are all around .1 VAC, a tiny amount.  The AC current is also not good for a DC loving 12 volt lead acid battery.

  These diodes can also leak / waste current to ground though I have never studied a good schematic of our rectifier assemblies and wiring diagrams to know for certain about this. 

  Rick

[_millmo]

Solved: it was the hi/Lo switch. I wired the low beam to a power wire. There is still a tiny draw when running so there might be something else malfunctioning But it charges nicely so I think she'll stay charged while riding.

[_millmo]

Thanks for your help, Rick.  I

 wonder if I had my multimeter on the wrong level.  One more click and it would have registered .162? 

I went for a test ride where I shut it off and kick started it a few times; when I got back, the battery was in the mid 12s.  Looks good so far

[b52bombardier1]

Sure, it's possible you had the multimeter knob on the wrong setting and your guess of .162 VAC is definitely plausible.   Mine is auto-ranging so its kind of a no-brainer for me. 

  Hopefully, your battery discharging problem is solved.

Rick

[_millmo]

Rick was right all along! It was the ref/rec. tested bad and charges nicely now with a new one.