Charging problem

[ducpainter]

Okay how do I test the RR? I have 7 total wires coming out of mine. There's the 3 yellow wires from the alternator. Then there's 2 red wires and 2 green wires.

You've already tested it.

You have verified voltage coming from the alternator.

You have checked and cleaned all connections.

Unless you have a broken wire in the harness there is nothing else it can be.

I'm not aware of any resistance test for a R/R. Maybe one of the engineers is.

[ChrisK]

Here's a video showing Rick from Rick's Electrics testing an R/R:



However, the R/R he's testing only has 5 wires, where mine has 7.

I haven't done ANY tests of the R/R, only the stator. (Other than making sure it's grounded properly and the plug between the R/R and battery is good).

[ChrisK]

Here's a great step-by-step flow chart from Electrosport on how to diagnose charging problems. I'm going to follow this later this evening and report back.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=1422eb499ae455e6&mt=application/pdf&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui%3D2%26ik%3Dac724ae851%26view%3Datt%26th%3D1422eb499ae455e6%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_hnovdp680%26zw&sig=AHIEtbSFpoWe2GxD67qdficMiiNoJLqBVg

[oldndumb]

I've posted this link before, but it hasn't garnered much interest, so I'll do it again. The author is probably one of the best motorcycle electrical authorities you will ever find. Most charging system troubleshooting articles all say the same thing. The differences can be the logic of each test sequence, and the level of technical jagon. DEcosse wrote his article for the layman. Take a look and see what you think.

http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-triple-forum/104504-charging-system-diagnostics-rectifier-regulator-upgrade.html

[ChrisK]

I've posted this link before, but it hasn't garnered much interest, so I'll do it again. The author is probably one of the best motorcycle electrical authorities you will ever find. Most charging system troubleshooting articles all say the same thing. The differences can be the logic of each test sequence, and the level of technical jagon. DEcosse wrote his article for the layman. Take a look and see what you think.

http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-triple-forum/104504-charging-system-diagnostics-rectifier-regulator-upgrade.html

Thank you Oldndumb, I printed it off for reference. I'll admit, I haven't read any of it because I'm short on time right now, but first impression is that people probably didn't take much interest because 27 pages on a forum can be pretty cumbersome. 

I'm sure it's super helpful though, excited to finally get to the bottom of this.

[oldndumb]

............., but first impression is that people probably didn't take much interest because 27 pages on a forum can be pretty cumbersome. 

Quite true. My eyes glass over and roll into the back of my head when trying to read long posts/threads. I should have mentioned that only the first msg in that thread was relevant.

[ChrisK]

So I followed the Electrosport flow-chart last night and, from what I diagnosed, the RR went bad. I called Electrosport, and they encouraged me to send the RR to them so they can test and replace if they find the same as me. Apparently they only have a one-year warranty on those things, which was shocking to me. But I am lucky, I paid for the RR from Ca-Cycleworks on November 5, 2012 and my bike wouldn't start on November 3, 2012. If they hound me about not sending it to them until the 7th, I will get quite irritated, but I doubt that will happen. 

Hopefully they send a new one pronto, and I can get back on the road for the few days I have left this year.

[ducpainter]

Maybe contact Ca-cycleworks?

I'm sure they have a mechanism for dealing with warranty on defective items.

[ChrisK]

Maybe contact Ca-cycleworks?

I'm sure they have a mechanism for dealing with warranty on defective items.

I did. Candice told me to deal with Electrosport directly. She gave me their troubleshooting flow-chart and the phone number.

[ChrisK]

Congrats on hitting the 50K mark, DP!

[koko64]

DP's odometer clicked over!

Glad you found it Chris.

[suzyj]

God he certainly bloody talks a lot, doesn't he. 

[ducpainter]

God he certainly bloody talks a lot, doesn't he. 

We all do what we're good at...

go do some calculations. 

[ChrisK]

Just received word from Electrosport that they received and tested the RR and it indeed checked out as a dud. Sending a replacement back to me shortly.

Glad to see a company easily uphold their warranty claims. Can't wait to ride again! 

[koko64]

 
That kind of service and goodwill is worth heaps.