Topic: Not Charging CB550K [Problem Solved!] [Problem Broken Again!]

[campbmic]

Well we know the following;

Field coil resistance (resistance between green and white wires ) = Good
Stator coil resistance (resistance between any 3 yellow wires) = Good
Rectifier = Good
The field coil is getting power (don't know how much)

So do I need to check anything with the ground to see if its working properly?

[campbmic]

How would you "jump" a regulator? By the way I'm done for the night! Thanks again for all of your help, hopefully I can get this sorted out tomorrow.

[scottly]

well im going to through my hat in, I seem to have the same problem. my bike is a 76 550ss. it started with only charging at high rpm's so I talked to my local shop owner and he suggested I upgrade to a combo unit he had one used for $60 so I got it wired it up and when I plugged it in the rectifier dc wires started smoking. so i thought I had them wired wrong so I reversed them and the same thing happened. I took it back and he didn't have any other used combos so he gave me a regulator off a goldwing. this new regulator has a yellow wire instead of the white field wire so I just put them together. please tell me if I was wrong in doing that. I will have to test the rectifier tomorrow. but I look forward to the solution for this. 

Hi siacotos. Welcome to the forum! I'm not sure what you mean by "I just put them together". Please start a new thread, so we can address your problems separately.
Scott

[scottly]

D'oh!!! Your system IS charging. Remember the spike you reported at 5K rpm? At idle, these systems can't keep up with the lights and ignition, much less provide the big amps it takes to raise the voltage of a severely discharged battery. With a recharged battery, ride the bike around, keeping the revs 5k or so as much as possible. (Don't go any farther from home than you're willing to push!!!!), then check your V at 5K.

[campbmic]

Well I've been charging my battery off of my car for the past couple of days. I figured this wasn't the correct way of doing it. Could this cause the issue? The only reason I think my battery is still good is because Autozone can trickle charge it back to full capacity.

Does this mean the battery is still good? I'll drop the battery off today and have them charge it and run your test tonight.

[Laminar]

You can find a 1.5amp trickle charger at Wal-Mart for under $20. I've used mine countless times by now.

[scottly]

Just a thought... While you're at AZ, check for a voltmeter that you can permanently mount on the bike. Then you can monitor the voltage as you ride.

[campbmic]

Well Scottly, I went and picked up a new battery and charger from the store. The battery is currently charging to capacity. Once this is done how long should I wait before my test ride at 4-5k RPM? Its dark now so the fact that I have my headlight and taillight on will that hurt the test? When should I measure the voltage before the test with the bike off, on, or running? When should I measure the voltage after the test? With the bike off on or running?

[scottly]

Since you have a new, fully charged battery, we can cut straight to the chase. Lights off, check the voltage at 4-5K and report your findings...

[campbmic]

Well I didn't see what you said and I went and took a ride. I turned the bike on with headlight and taillight but not running. Battery voltage was at 11.75. I rod it around about 10 miles keeping around 3-4k the entire time. When I got back I shut the bike off and the voltage was at 11.47 with lights on and no taillight. I have it on the battery charger right now. Do I need to increase the battery voltage before I run the next test?

It seems like its charging some but just not enough!

[scottly]

For now, just recharge the batt and check v, no lights, 4-5k. I don't think you're charging, or not much, but I'd like to know what you read before going further...

[campbmic]

Heres the results

Bike Off Before Test: 12.13
Bike Turned On Before Test: 11.80
Bike Running at 4.5k: Originally it was 11.80 then about 10 seconds later it would go back and forth from 11.80 and 11.79. About 10 seconds later its stayed on 11.79. 10 seconds later it would go back and forth from 11.79 and 11.78.
Bike Off After Test: 12.04

[campbmic]

Also, I was getting lightly shocked when I was trying to adjust my idle screw. It only happened when I would brush up against the tank and it wasn't a constant shock I think it had something to do with the coils. It wouldnt happen all the time either.

[scottly]

Ok, not charging. Getting shocked!!?? Makes me think of a bad ground somewhere! How about the noise? I've got a hunch. I'm going to go look at a few things; may take a while. I'll get back to you.

[campbmic]

Its very strange too right now I just tried it and the voltage was at 11.70 and would jump up to like 11.85 for a half a second then jump back down to 11.69-11.75 range and then jump back up every couple of seconds. It seems like its trying to charge but it just isnt able to charge at its maximum capacity 100% of the time.

[scottly]

It never will charge at max 100% of the time: at idle,the lights and coils draw more than the alt can produce.

[campbmic]

Well I found out why I wa being shocked, one of my park plug wires ha seperated from the coil and was shocking the gas tank =/. I there anyway to fix this? It seperated right at where the coil connects to the number 4 wire.

[scottly]

I want you to verify the wiring harness green wire to chassis connection. At some point a green wire from the harness is bolted to the frame. I looked at a 750 that still has a stock harness, and this wire is under 1 of the Ign coil mounting bolts! I wouldn't be at all surprised if the 550 is the same. Take it loose, look for any signs of arcing on the eyelet, clean, and reassemble.   

[campbmic]

ya, the green ground is bolted to the frame under ignition coil 1 on my bike a well. It is grounded firmly do you want me to test it with my multimeter for voltage?

[scottly]

No, take it apart and inspect/clean it. The aluminum on the coil may be corroded. Also look for any physical damage to the harness.

[scottly]

Don't put it back together yet; will do a check first....

[campbmic]

It doesnt seem to be damaged at all

[scottly]

you mean the harness, right. What do the surfaces of the eyelet look like? Bright and shiny?

[campbmic]

Ya bright and shiny. I was trying some random stuff today and I noticed a lot of sparks on negative wires. I disconnected my negative battery terminal and when I reconnected it I noticed a spark. When I disconnected the green negative wire to the alternator there was a spark as well. Do negative wires spark? I thought only positive wire did?

I connected the negative green wire at the alternator with a direct line to the negative battery, this didnt eem to help my charging any.

[campbmic]

Alright, right now my regulator is sending juice to the alternator through the white wire. I disconnected the green wire running from the alternator. I tested this wire and it has voltage it shouldn't correct? The voltage is the same as the white wire