Endless charging system issues

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Schruteinator, Jan 28, 2015.

  1. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    In most cases it points to the R/R, especially with the 5th gen... but also if the R/R is good, and the stator is bad, you could have those readings, or the same with a bad battery and a good R/R. ------- That is why "The Drill" shows test the whole list, the data will point to what to fix.

    Recently fixed a 6th gen, that the stator was junk at 14k miles. Volts output was in the 12s. R/R was good.

    I'll pre-emp squirelman, who will say check the starter relay fuse and connection too. (He's right also)
     
  2. Schruteinator

    Schruteinator New Member

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    Thank you for the info - I'm having all the connections and grounds etc checked, cleaned and sorted today. I'm sending the R/R back to Electrex World so they can test it, if so they will replace it for me. I purchased the battery from Halfords so it has a long warranty on it so I think it's safe for me to just take it back, let them load test it (it's been on a charge overnight) but the majority of the time they don't even bother testing, they just go ahead and straight out replace it.
    With all these measures, I may be tempted to just go ahead and replace the stator... it's £70 from what I have seen and unless there is a major fault in the loom which may point out the problems, I will more or less have replaced/repaired the entire system this way. I think so anyway, correct me if I'm wrong!
    I do have a VFRness, would you recommend putting this in also? Or just go ahead and solder the connections from the get-go?
     
  3. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hmm - sounds like you have had enough testing?

    Fairly shortly, you will have either a new or tested battery and RR. So before committing to buy a new stator, why not round up a new stator cover gasket from Honda and carefully remove the stator cover. If it reveals section of the stator windings are crispy fried with a distinct smell of burnt electrical windings - you need a replacement, if not it has only cost the price of a gasket.

    IMG_4165.jpg

    As for the loom upgrade (VFRness) given you have already paid out for it, then if your place looks like mine

    IMG_9819.jpg

    struggling with masses of :smow: this morning, then perhaps you can ring the boss at work and take a snow day, and then head down to the garage and install it.:wink:

    (Soldering connections simply addresses the known weakness (potential hotspot) at that connector. However soldering alone won't greatly improve the loom carrying capacity - which is dictated by the weakest point in a circuit - whilst adding a parallel thicker gauge add-on harness will - hence VFRness.)

    Take care



    SkiMad
     
  4. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Skid I don't think the wire load carrying capacity is the problem, if it was then we would see burnt wires, every bit of burning is always the connectors because it is not a perfect joint, starts arcing, gets hot, starts arcing some more, connector gets hot, starts to melt, continues arcing, next minute it is goodnight nurse
     
  5. Markvfr800

    Markvfr800 New Member

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  6. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    If you're absolutely dead set on retaining the connector, use ox-gard sparingly on the contacts. It will fill the voids between the terminals allowing better conductivity, and less heat.
     
  7. Schruteinator

    Schruteinator New Member

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    I've seen a lot of people say about soldering so to be fair I'd be quite tempted to follow suit.
     
  8. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Soldering may not be the complete fix but it sure takes one problem area out of the equation. I recently saw one that had been joined with screw connectors, while this may work, the wires being copper get hot if the connection isn't perfect, then it softens, connection gets worse, arcs more,gets hotter. Only advantage here is the fact the wires are further apart than all stuck close together in a connector block
     
  9. nearfreezing

    nearfreezing New Member

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    As others have mentioned, take a close look at the "3P Natural" connector on the right side of the bike. This connection, even if it appears ok, can be eating up voltage. Apply plenty of contact cleaner and then put a touch of Oxgard on it and the voltage reading at the terminals of the battery should pick up.
     
  10. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    OP would have been well advised to have a meter and verify charging ok b4 the first ride on any year VFR always. :cower: Push far enough often enough and this becomes a practical necessity.

    Numerous horrific photos will turn up on a search for "melted plug", all too common and a perennial HOT-topic on any VFR forum.

    IMG_0898 jpg.JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2015
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