Topic: Do I have a charging issue?

[Owned]

So, last weekend I rode the 350F ~45 min away to a Walneck Bike Show.  I picked up a nice trophy in the Cafe category and met alot of great people.  

Unfortunately, I experienced a problem when it was time to go.  A guy came over and asked me to fire it up.  When I tried, I had a weak headlight/dashlights, and no juice to start it.  Jumped the bike with cables and will only run when connected.  Ended up getting the bike home in the van of a friend.    

Back in the comforts of my garage, I put the bike on my charger.  It immediately tries to indicate a full charge, yet voltage is a mere 3V.  I have this extra 400F engine, so I decide to swap out the stator/field coil.  Next day, take the battery back to the place of purchase.  They test and equipment indicates fault.  I was given a new replacement.

So, now I'm trying to determine if my charging system is working properly.  I've installed a NOS solid state regulator/rectifier unit I was given from the POS.  The unit is a MITY MAX for Honda 4 CYL 350-750's.  Testing the field coil, it indicates 4.9 Ohms.  Testing the stator, I'm getting .9 Ohms across leads.  Testing voltage at the battery, w/o engine running 12.43V, 11.90V at idle, 13.82V at 5,000rpm...reving a little more it sometimes touches 14.

Am I good to go?  Or, do I have an issue?  The Honda manual indicates I should be seeing 15V at 5k...  In my mind, I was thinking I should be seeing 14.2V.  This ride out was my first of any real distance.  I'd like to make sure all is well before heading to MidOhio next weekend.

-Brad

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Not that I'm an electrical expert (TT phone home) but it sounds like the battery didn't have a connection between terminals ie the mentioned fault, and the jump was creating the connection.

As far as voltage goes, your's isn't bad. perhaps you have an aftermarket headlight bulb or aftermarket coils? In any event, make sure all your connectors are tight and corrosion free.

[Spanner 1]

+1 with Jerry on the connections...your field coil and stator coil  impedance ( ohms ) sound about right...I think your charging is working O.K., remember that reading of 15v @ 5000rpm is with the stock regulator ( 3 stage ), while the one you have installed has a variable output and is not adjustable......my 2c.

[TwoTired]

Batteries take time to change their charge state.  Good thing, as it would the pits if the a fully charged battery lost all voltage as soon as a any drain was placed on it.  The same is true for charging the battery, especially at low charge rates.
The Electric starter draws about 120 amps the rest of the electricals on a STOCK BIKE draw about 10 amps.  Because of this drain, the bike's alternator only charges at about 1-2 amps, and then only when the engine is revved up.

Cafe bikes aren't stock, obviously, and you make no mention of how the entire electrical system on your bike has changed from stock.  So, we really have no clue at what charge rate your bike is now capable of providing.

You are supposed to check the charging system with the battery fully charged.  Hit the electric starter and the battery is no longer at full charge.  In fact, running the bike at idle will take the full charge away from the battery, and therefore the battery voltage will not be at its peak. And with a 2 amp charge rate it will take some time to give it that 14.5V surcharge you are looking to see.

Further, if you have also changed the regulator away from stock, only the manufacturer knows what voltage is normal for that unit.  Not a Honda manual.

A good, fully charged battery will read 12.6-12.8 V after a 2 hour rest period with no load placed upon it.

13.8v is a good average voltage for the regulator to maintain the bike's system at.  I wouldn't want to see 15V at the battery for any length of time.  That is an overcharge condition where electrolyte begins to "go away".

[Owned]

Thanks all.  I think I may be in the green after the bad battery was replaced. 

When I tested the battery as mentioned, the battery was as topped off as it's ever going to be.  The bike's electrical system is essentially stock.  The only difference is the headlight, I have an H6024 65/35W unit.  (I wanted a 7 incher)  Now, I do know that the stocker is a 50/35W.  I was thinking that with low beam, I'm essentially not tipping the scales in the wrong direction. 

I do not have any specs on the regulator/rectifier except the installation instructions.  No output specifications were provided.