Intermittent Charging issue

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by GraphiteEllipse, Jul 3, 2013.

  1. GraphiteEllipse

    GraphiteEllipse New Member

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    Hello all. I've got a 96' VFR750. Recently the RR went out, so I replaced it with a Caltec RR - at $40 new it was much cheaper than some of the other RR's I've come across. The Caltec seemed to be working fine for the better part of a week, so I went on a roughly 200 mile ride yesterday with a buddy. We were mostly in the 40 - 70 mph range, and because it was mountain riding, I was often between 4000 - 5000 rpm's. The bike seemed fine all day until I was just about home, when I noticed the engine seemed to be idling a little rough. I pulled into my driveway a few minutes later, shut the bike off, and then hit the starter. It wouldn't turn over.

    I let it sit for about two hours, and then tried the starter again. The bike reluctantly turned over, and then started. I took it for a brief 15 - 20 min ride, pulled back in to my driveway, shut it off, and then hit the starter again. It started right up as if nothing had ever happened. At this point, I checked the voltage across the battery at idle, 2500rpm, and 5000rpm. It was right where it should be according to the information I've found on RR's on this forum.

    My fear is that the Caltec, being a cheaper RR, temporarily cuts out when it goes over a certain temperature, and that a ride of this duration causes this condition. Any thoughts or recommendations on this? I'd like to mount a small voltmeter & temperature gauge on my dash so that I can monitor the voltate across the battery during a longer ride, but I haven't found a suitable one yet. I may end up going with a Ricks RR to rule out the Caltec being the source of the problem. Thanks ahead of time for any input.
     
  2. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    IMG_0819.jpg

    Tired of worrying about charging issues while riding, i found a $5 HF "alternator tester" with LEDs and mounted it on the bike.

    IMG_0820.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2013
  3. kennybobby

    kennybobby New Member

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    How old is the battery and what is the state of charge/ electrolyte specific gravity/ electrolyte evel?

    Check all the ground connections especially at chassis for corrosion or looseness.
     
  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    could be burned/melted plugs between RR and stator or on top of starter relay, right, K-B ??
     
  5. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    You bought a cheap R/R and now you are surprised that your are having problems with it? -- On R/Rs you get what you pay for. It's a part that can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, why go cheap?

    You probably should do a full system test with what I call --- "The Drill" -- All the info you ever need and were afraid to ask is here. Go for it.
    http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-gene...how-fix-common-regulator-stator-failures.html
    http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-generation-1998-2001/39804-r-r-upgrade-advice.html
    http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/37178-1999-vfr-charging-system-problem.html
     
  6. GraphiteEllipse

    GraphiteEllipse New Member

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    Squirrelman: I just went out and bought the same thing. I wanted to get a voltmeter but you know what, this thing is really nice to be able to glance at and get a good idea of what's going on.

    Kennybobby: The battery is brand new as of this February, but I'm not sure about the specific gravity. I will look into this and find out. I haven't found any corrosion yet.

    mello dude: i bought an inexpensive part, and took the chance of it being cheap, on purpose. I wanted to know what flaws if any the Caltec had. No, I'm not surprised at all. I would actually be surprised if there weren't issues. Thanks for the links.
     
  7. kennybobby

    kennybobby New Member

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    With good RR voltage at idle, 2000 and 5000 rpms, then your slow or no cranking symptoms are likely low battery voltage or loose or corroded connections in the path between the battery positive terminial and the starter positive, or between the starter chassis back to the chassis ground to the battery negative terminal, or in the start control circuitry. Has the battery been sitting on a tender and maybe overcharged and boiled off the electrolyte?
     
  8. nearfreezing

    nearfreezing New Member

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