6th Gen OEM charging system question...?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Scubalong, Sep 9, 2014.

  1. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Good morning VFRW
    I have a question regarding charging issue.
    Past weekend I replaced the Honda stator and R/R
    Simple plug and play.....I will post the DIY report later.
    So after install new stator and RR testing the voltage as idle is 13.5 to 13.7
    Rev to 5k RPM and the voltage only show 13.9 and stay there. Per manual it should reach 15.5
    What did I do wrong, what can possibly go wrong :noidea:
    Can any of you Electronic Guru shine some light for me :rolleyes:
    Educate me.........I might be slow learner but I do have patient :cool:
     
  2. metallyguitarded

    metallyguitarded New Member

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    Unfortunately, I'm far from an electrical guru and this post will be of no help but just wanted to share that when I tested my charging system recently, I had readings of 14.08 at idle and 14.18 at 5K rpm. Now, I didn't compare my numbers to the service manual, however, I did do some research and feel comfortable that my battery is within normal operating specs. On YUASA's website: http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=30 it states, first, not to test a freshly charged battery. Instead, you need to wait at least an hour after charging before checking the voltage. Once you've done that, it states that at rest, a fully-charged battery should read 12.8 volts. At 3K rpm, they state the voltage should read 14.0 to 14.5. I've watched videos regarding checking motorcycle charging systems and they tend to vary somewhat in the acceptable numbers but are pretty close. It doesn't seem that yours are so far off that there's a problem. I'm interested to read what others have to say. Good luck and I hope this is all good.
     
  3. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Since I'm no electrical guru I can't shine any light either, but my bike puts out about the same voltage as yours. It rarely hits anything over 14 volts. I installed the newer R/R and the VFRness 5 years and 10,000 miles ago when the original R/R failed, and have had no issues with the charging system so far. It doesn't fluctuate while riding and it doesn't matter whether it's hot, cold, or raining. So I can't say if yours is good, but it looks like mine, so we're both in the same boat.

    Yeah, I know, I don't ride enough. But there have been extenuating circumstances the last couple years.

    I do pull the battery and use a Battery Tender Plus on it over the winter.
     
  4. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    That is strange FJ12.....Before the system take a sh......I test them and it seem to go up as stated in the manual.
    Now it only go up to 13.9 regardless of RPM :confused:
     
  5. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    What was the battery condition like? I know you charged it, but did you have it load tested? I don't remember what the standing voltage was (i.e. Engine off)
     
  6. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    The R/R has two jobs, one to rectify the AC voltages from the alternator and two to regulate the DC output voltage to match load, which means they will vary some what from time to time. Your readings look fine, I would keep an eye on connections, making sure they pass full current to bike and battery.

    Remember OHM's law, E=IR, Voltage equals Current (amps) times Resistance (Ohms). Charging current will vary depending on battery state of charge.
     
  7. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Ootv the battery is stand at 13.3 consistanly
     
  8. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Thanks Allyance
    I do check them every oil change, keep my finger cross :rolleyes:
    She is 76K miles and going strong :thumbsup:
     
  9. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Anyone else?
     
  10. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    When I saw some of your voltages were somewhat below the spec with brand new parts I got to questioning all of the assumptions and came up with: The replacement R/R is probably different from the original. Completely guessing here but it could be that the output stressed the batteries so Honda lowered the voltage. Also, the stator replacement could have thicker windings and thus is able to generate more current at a lower voltage. I am guessing at the specifics but Honda probably did make small engineering changes but they did not publish the changes or revise the specs. Well that does create some frustration when you robustly test your system, see nothing wrong, but the results are different from the mfr. spec!
     
  11. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Sounds good to me I wouldn't be concerned if it won't push more that 13.9 volts, what reading do you get with the lights on, my guess probably about the same because the reg is holding it to that max
     
  12. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Very interesting idea, and make sense too, although I know squat about electric stuff, just enough to get myself in trouble usually.
     
  13. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    This seem to be logic.....:wink:
    I hope this is the case so the RR won't over heat :thumb:
     
  14. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    The voltage stay between 13.7 with the Hi beam on and 13.9 when rev over 5k RPM and it stay there even the rpm go up to 9k
     
  15. DfnsMn69

    DfnsMn69 New Member

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    My voltages are in the same range Scuba. 14.1 is the max I ever see with highbeams, phone and GPS running... At idle it will drop into the 13.3-13.5 range... If in traffic and operating temp gets into the 223 range where the fan kicks on it will drop to 12.8 at idle but jumps right back up to 13.5ish with any rpm.
     
  16. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    So from what I'm hearing, Long seems to be in good shape :thumbsup:, well his 6 Gen anyway :wink:
     
  17. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    Just a funny - My mechanic replaced the R/R with one off of a Ducati. Same part. Same cable length. Apparently many parts are used across disparate brands. My assumption going into this hobby was that motorcycles are very proprietary, but that seems to be only partially true.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2014
  18. gcarper

    gcarper New Member

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    Just tested my 05 with heated jacket liners, mine a 90 watt and wife's a 65 watt. At idle, voltage is 13.8 without jackets. With the 90 watt on---13.1, with both on---13.1. Rev to 4k and voltages goes up to 13.8, without jackets on--14.3. I think I'm good. My 2013 CB1100 will not go above 12.7 with both jackets on at 4k. And it will not go above 12.7 if I have my 90 watt jacket on and heated grips on.
     
  19. rjgti

    rjgti New Member

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    scuba, i think you may have a bad meter, a charged battery is 12.8 v. you may be seeing a surface voltage from charging. turn key on, so headlight comes on, and wait 30 seconds, then turn key off. wait 2 min then measure battery voltage again. as for r\r output 15.5 volts is really to high a voltage. 13 to 14.5 is considered normail range for an r\r. hope this helps you out
     
  20. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Perfect have a loverly day
     
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