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Author Topic: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?  (Read 3147 times)

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Offline juntjoo

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Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« on: April 12, 2021, 06:08:48 PM »
I monitor it with my handlebar voltmeter and for example in one moment at 5k rpm I'm getting 13.8-14 volts, then a moment later it's around 10.5-10.7 also at 5k rpm. Will the regulator/rectifier back off depending on certain conditions independant of rpm? Or is this a defective regulator/rectifier? I have two, one for my 640, and another for a 750. The issue now is with the 650 one. I've been using the 750 one and just decided to try my original one as the 750 one works but just not enough to keep battery charging. Cheap Walmart battery seems to charge just fine with my battery charger
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1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2021, 06:29:46 PM »
What sort of 750 m/c are we talking about here. If DOHC the brushes in the may be worn down. SHOC CB650 use the charging set up as well.
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Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2021, 06:32:20 PM »
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:29:46 PM
What sort of 750 m/c are we talking about here. If DOHC the brushes in the may be worn down. SHOC CB650 use the charging set up as well.

I'd guess sohc without looking it up, but this isn't normal then?
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82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM »
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?
« Last Edit: April 12, 2021, 06:36:59 PM by caluser2000 »
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Offline fizzlebottom

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2021, 06:47:09 PM »
Are there any other symptoms other than what your voltmeter is reading? Does the bike run well, charge the battery, and restart easily with a warmed up engine?
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Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2021, 06:48:45 PM »
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?

82-83 cb750sc (nighthawk), "Caltric" brand.
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82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2021, 06:50:32 PM »
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?

82-83 cb750sc (nighthawk), "Caltric" brand.
Never heard of it before, Got a pic of it?
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Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2021, 06:53:04 PM »
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:50:32 PM
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?

82-83 cb750sc (nighthawk), "Caltric" brand.
Never heard of it before, Got a pic of it?
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82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2021, 06:53:55 PM »
Quote from: fizzlebottom on April 12, 2021, 06:47:09 PM
Are there any other symptoms other than what your voltmeter is reading? Does the bike run well, charge the battery, and restart easily with a warmed up engine?
Indeed. Why did the OP decide he needed to check the voltage output in the first place?
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Every time you set your ass on a bike, you're playing a game of Russian Roulette between yourself and your own stupidity."

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2021, 06:55:15 PM »
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:53:04 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:50:32 PM
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?

82-83 cb750sc (nighthawk), "Caltric" brand.
Never heard of it before, Got a pic of it?
THE BIKE! So I know what we are dealing with here.
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Every time you set your ass on a bike, you're playing a game of Russian Roulette between yourself and your own stupidity."

Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2021, 06:56:22 PM »
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:55:15 PM
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:53:04 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:50:32 PM
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?

82-83 cb750sc (nighthawk), "Caltric" brand.
Never heard of it before, Got a pic of it?
THE BIKE! So I know what we are dealing with here.

Oh, mines the 650 nighthawk 82. I'll get a pic..
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82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2021, 06:57:35 PM »
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-Ben

82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2021, 06:58:51 PM »
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:56:22 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:55:15 PM
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:53:04 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:50:32 PM
Quote from: juntjoo on April 12, 2021, 06:48:45 PM
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 06:35:15 PM
Depends on component wear.

Again what model 750 is it?

82-83 cb750sc (nighthawk), "Caltric" brand.
Never heard of it before, Got a pic of it?
THE BIKE! So I know what we are dealing with here.

Oh, mines the 650 nighthawk 82. I'll get a pic..
THE 750 you mentioned testing!! I asked for its details twice now
« Last Edit: April 12, 2021, 07:01:25 PM by caluser2000 »
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Every time you set your ass on a bike, you're playing a game of Russian Roulette between yourself and your own stupidity."

Offline 754

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2021, 07:58:28 PM »
I got a question.. is this the same set of windings  you forced into the cover, then later found out the notches for the fastening screws were not lined up ?
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My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2021, 08:00:10 PM »
Quote from: 754 on April 12, 2021, 07:58:28 PM
I got a question.. is this the same set of windings  you forced into the cover, then later found out the notches for the fastening screws were not lined up ?

Yes!
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-Ben

82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #15 on: April 12, 2021, 08:02:08 PM »
Anyone else have a Caltric? I probably ruined it somehow. I bent the windings a little then bent them back. Would that probably cause a slight decrease in performance?
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-Ben

82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline 754

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #16 on: April 12, 2021, 08:50:46 PM »
Like I said back then , if the insulation  got compromised it could fail later. If insulation  is off or cracked , it can short out intermittenly or maybe for good.
 The last thing you want to do those wires is mash them together or let anything hit or bend themf
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Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline fizzlebottom

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2021, 09:06:56 PM »
Wait so you are using a stator meant for a 750 in your 650? Those two are not listed by parts houses as the same P/N, so I really have no idea what could be going on in your case. If you haven't already, I think you gotta start by putting the right parts back in the bike. New ones if the old aren't up for it.
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Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2021, 09:11:24 PM »
They have different output connectors
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Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2021, 09:23:02 PM »
Quote from: fizzlebottom on April 12, 2021, 09:06:56 PM
Wait so you are using a stator meant for a 750 in your 650? Those two are not listed by parts houses as the same P/N, so I really have no idea what could be going on in your case. If you haven't already, I think you gotta start by putting the right parts back in the bike. New ones if the old aren't up for it.

I've been using a stator and rotor for the 750. I JUST popped in the 650 regulator just to see how it would work
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82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #20 on: April 12, 2021, 09:33:27 PM »
A few coats of clear nail polish will fix insulation cracks in wiring no problem at all.
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Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #21 on: April 12, 2021, 09:37:27 PM »
So the individual copper wires can't touch each other or what. If that's the case after being squashed a little, I probably shorted it JUST a little, so it appears to work but just not enough. I gave no idea. I would have figured the wires bunched together were all doing the same job anyway

Actually, I'd rather have a regulator/rectifier you could tweak. Is there a mod for this? I read about some mods that just made it better but I'd like to be able to have some manual control if possible
« Last Edit: April 12, 2021, 09:39:26 PM by juntjoo »
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82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline juntjoo

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #22 on: April 12, 2021, 09:41:04 PM »
Quote from: caluser2000 on April 12, 2021, 09:33:27 PM
A few coats of clear nail polish will fix insulation cracks in wiring no problem at all.

What can't touch what exactly in there? Each indivual wire to any other, or group of wires to another, or any wire just anywhere else like the metal body?
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-Ben

82 Nighthawk 650..

1982 Honda Nighthawk...

I HAVE A 1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK FFS! j/k. It's my only bike, my first and last.

Offline bryanj

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #23 on: April 12, 2021, 10:53:00 PM »
No there isnt a reg you can "tweak" nor a mod to do it unless you are an electronics engineer who builds from scratch.
Fitting the wrong windings has removed the varnish insulation from the copper wire and turned the stator into scrap
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Offline caluser2000

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Re: Alternator works sporadically. Is this normal?
« Reply #24 on: April 12, 2021, 11:06:25 PM »
Quote from: bryanj on April 12, 2021, 10:53:00 PM
No there isnt a reg you can "tweak" nor a mod to do it unless you are an electronics engineer who builds from scratch.
Fitting the wrong windings has removed the varnish insulation from the copper wire and turned the stator into scrap
No it is not scrap. Nail varnish will cover the exposed copper in a pinch.

Worked fine for our fathers and grand fathers ol bean.

As long as the coil has the correct resistance and windings are not shorting it will be fine.
« Last Edit: April 12, 2021, 11:21:39 PM by caluser2000 »
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