Sorry another charging question

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Darth Vader, Apr 29, 2015.

  1. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    Hello can someone help me please ?
    I bought a 99 vfr as a project and after a bit of work its now ready.
    I fitted a volt meter and am worried about the readings.
    Ignition on 12.8
    Idle 13.8, with side lights on 13.5, head lights on 13.2
    3000 revs 13.6
    5000 revs 13.6
    I thought the voltage should increase with engine speed ?
    I chopped out the plug on the yellow wires and soldered, left the other plug as is.
    The reg/ rec is the updated version I think as its got fins and is chunky looking.
    Do I need the vfrness ? Or can I make one myself ?
    I'm dying to ride the bike but don't want to be stranded if it breaks down.
    Please help
     
  2. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    The fact that you're getting 13.2v at idle, but only goes up to 13.6 at 5000 might point to the R&R.
    But I wouldn't worry too much, mine was like that for 2 years before I addressed it.
    At 82,000k's I replaced the original stator with an OEM, and a cheap Chinese R&R.
    The R&R lasted 4 hours.
    Reinstalled the original one and all is fine.
    I have an 2004 R1 stator coming that I picked up cheap and will give that a go.
     
  3. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

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  4. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    I replace the whole charging system few months ago with OEM (2nd time) and the voltage stay the same as you.
    Seem to be fine. Someone my have a better explaination.
     
  5. pjvtec

    pjvtec New Member

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    A properly working charging system will read 13.5 - 15.5 vdc at the battery.
     
  6. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    13.2 with the headlights on, get out and ride it
     
  7. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    Rode the vfr to work for the first time yesterday and was only getting
    12.9 with the headlights on
    13.2 side lights on
    13.8 lights off at idle
    Should I be worried ?
    Rode great though
     
  8. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Just ride it
     
  9. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

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    Not worried, but aware. Don't wait intil you're stranded. Install a volt meter.
     
  10. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    I've fitted a volt meter so that's how I know the charging low.
    Sent off for a vfrness that ought to help ,fingers crossed
     
  11. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Closely inspect the plug atop the starter relay for any signs of distress.
     
  12. rjgti

    rjgti New Member

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    your voltage will change depanding on charge in battery, a true test is voltage and current output at idle and 5k rpm
     
  13. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    News flash--- the vfr Ness is a bandaid and if your r/r or stator is gonna go...it's gonna go. Sorry, that's reality..
     
  14. JTC

    JTC New Member

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    1St sign fo me was voltage meter dropping to 13.7/8 & warm/hot 3 amp fuse
    Fabricated my own vfr-Ness. Double the gauge, double the flex, using 99.9. o2 free copper welding cable. Now I get 14.3.
     
  15. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    I've checked the starter solenoid and all is good. Checked the rr and that's good .
    Charged battery overnight and voltage shows 13.0
    Went for a ride and with side lights on I'm only getting 13.0/12.9 .
    Charging along at 6000 revs and only get 12.5 .
    Still getting 13.9 at idle
    Stator ? ? ?
    Can't really check that as I've soldered the yellow wires.
     
  16. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

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    exactly did you check that the RR was good?
     
  17. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I published "the drill" hoping it would help the daily "my charging system is broke" posts.....

    Again
    Battery first.... .take your charged battery and have it load tested...... "A bad battery can make the system act like you have a bad R/R"

    You have an OEM Honda R/R? Yes? -- a strange characteristic of the OEM R/R is that when brand new, the voltage readings are around 13.8 - 14.2. Over time as the thing eats itself, the idle volt stay up.....13.5 - 13.9....... like the 13.9 you have and the at revs, gradually drops to low 13s and 12s. I have seen many cases of this and the peanut gallery will say the same. Not all will do this but a high percentage.
    - I am leaning your R/R is going out.

    But! You really need stator readings to nail it down for a fact. Sorry, there is no short cut except just replacing everthing.... if you dont want to do that, get a knife and split open a contact surface on you soldered joints so you can test it. --- (A lot of guys say solder the stator joints and I cant fault that, but see, now its a hassle to debug it.)

    That said, probly if you stator was going out, you wouldnt get a 13.9 reading at idle. - The last bad stator job I did, we were getting in the 12s at idle and revs. One leg of the stator was gone. So, plz figure out where you can get volt meter probes on your stator, and you need to test all 3 legs.

    As a BTW, the photo below is the prefered benchmark fix for 5th gens. FH020aa R/R, MetricPack connector to the stator, 10 guage wire, 30 amp fuse, DIRECT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. No vfr ness. By going direct to the battery, you take out of the equation the shitty undersized harness in the circuit.
    [​IMG][/URL]
     
  18. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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  19. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    Still haven't checked the stator as I'm fed up of taking it to bits, just wanna ride it !
    My thoughts are as Mello dude says , if the stator was kaput I wouldn't get 13.9 at idle.
    It keeps starting so I hope it's the rr slowly dying. Sent off for a yam R1 big finned rr going to wire it
    direct to the battery and hope this cures it. Love the gear driven cam whine ! !
     
  20. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

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    The follow-up . . . Got the big finned R1 rr wired up .Soldered stator wires and hard wired to battery via 30 amp fuse , switched on and bingo 14.5 volts from idle to 5000.Big thanks for the replys especially Mello dude who steered me in the right direction. Job done . . now ride.
     
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