Regulator? Battery? Please help!

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Shawn855, Aug 23, 2015.

  1. Shawn855

    Shawn855 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    I agree. I'll report back after work with another voltage test. I'd like to test the voltage after driving the bike around since it seems like my lights are way more flakey once I come home from a ride.
     
  2. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Messages:
    3,569
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Winnipeg, MB
    Map
    I have a buddy who put HIDs on his C14 ... they are constantly flaking out ... we always have to give him a status update on whether his lights are on or not over the intercoms because they keep conking out. LOL
     
  3. Shawn855

    Shawn855 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    lol funny you say that because one side flaked out for 3 hours randomly for no reason lol..
     
  4. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Messages:
    3,569
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Winnipeg, MB
    Map
    HID are super bright, but IMHO I would pull them and put a good set of H4's (like Silverstars) in instead.
     
  5. Shawn855

    Shawn855 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Well I got home and removed the mess of electrical that the HID lights left. Installed the H4s and as I went to go and test drive it, it began to rain....sigh... But just from a normal Idle, when revving, the lights would simply go a bit brighter instead of turning off completely like the HIDs did. I'm not going to assume the problem is dealt with just yet. I'd like to go for a nice ride with it, then test it again to ensure the problem is licked. From what I've heard, lights brightening up a bit when revving a motorcycle seems to be common?
    IMG_20150825_190303.jpg IMG_20150825_190310.jpg IMG_20150825_190314.jpg
     
  6. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Messages:
    3,569
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Winnipeg, MB
    Map
    I'd go check mine for you ... but I don't think it was overly noticeable on mine.

    Would be nice to get a voltage reading from the headlamps.
     
  7. EpiEric

    EpiEric New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2011
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lingewaard, The Netherlands
    Map
    It's not unusual the lights light a little up when revving from idle (1000 rpm) to appr. 3000 rpm.. This shouldn't happen above 3000 rpm.....



    Considdering the voltage is a bit high on idle .....imho the rectifier/regulator is a prime suspect.....
     
  8. Shawn855

    Shawn855 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Agreed. I may order one just for the hell of it. I've seen OEMs on ebay for 60 dollars.
     
  9. Shawn855

    Shawn855 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Unless you guys can recommend a better R/R? I know the yamaha R/R seems the way to go but i'd prefer not having to jimmyrig or cut anything. Just a simple plug and play please :)
     
  10. EpiEric

    EpiEric New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2011
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lingewaard, The Netherlands
    Map
    Maybe this site helps: http://roadstercycle.com/



    BTW: bad connections can cause "peek-voltages"........did you check all connectors ? Especially the R/R-connector...?
     
  11. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Messages:
    3,569
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Winnipeg, MB
    Map
    Go with what EpiEric recommends ... it's an upgrade MOSFET type R/R and is of a far better design than the OEM.

    Be careful of what is listed as "OEM" on fleabay unless it's in an actual Honda OEM package.

    Eric also notes another important point ... check all your connectors ...

    Ohm's Law --- V = I * R

    Where V = Voltage, I = Current, and R = Resistance

    If your resistance is higher (poor / oxidized connections) then your voltage will increase.
     
  12. EpiEric

    EpiEric New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2011
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lingewaard, The Netherlands
    Map
    I Agree. OEM on Ebay is often "Chinese-OEM" ........

    "The joy of a chaep buy gets over when the quality is gone"
     
  13. Knight

    Knight New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,187
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    USA
    Map

    Please clarify what you meant to teach here. I took you to mean "Oxidized connections result in an increased voltage drop or loss across the connection". Is that it?
     
  14. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Messages:
    3,569
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Winnipeg, MB
    Map
    Oxidization will insulate a connector and create resistance ... Voltage = Icurrent * Resistance ... therefore, if the voltage is higher than expected, then either the current or resistance has increased. The connectors on our bikes are notoriously bad and can create a lot of additional resistance ... so if the resistance increases, so does the voltage.
     
  15. Knight

    Knight New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,187
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    USA
    Map

    "Peek"? Voltages that spy on you? Sorry I could not resist. (peak).
     
  16. Knight

    Knight New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,187
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    USA
    Map
    Jeff call me dense but your wording is confusing.

    "so if the resistance increases, so does the voltage."

    This makes it sound like the voltage source goes up with poor connections, like there is free power the dirtier the connection is.

    My best take on what you are saying is that there is a greater voltage drop across across a dirtier connection. But I am asking because I am not sure still what you mean.

    Example of my assumption. This is true, but not sure if it is your point:

    Connection = ideal = 0 Ohms => Input to connection is 13 V, output of connection is 13 V, no loss.

    Connection = dirty. Let's say that results in a resistance of 10 Ohms and the input to the connection is 13 V.

    If the current is (making this up) .5A, then (.5A)(10 Ohms) = a drop of 5 volts across the connection

    The output of the dirty connection is 13V-5V = 8V. We lost 5V due to the problem you describe.
     
  17. EpiEric

    EpiEric New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2011
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Lingewaard, The Netherlands
    Map
    Haha. I know....my English is terrible. ...
    I don't know how to say it the right way. But i'm sure you understood it anyway
     
  18. Knight

    Knight New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,187
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    USA
    Map
    Your English is superior to my Dutch (non-existent.) These types of errors are common for native speakers as well so no, your English is not terrible, it is quite good in fact.
     
  19. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Messages:
    3,569
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Winnipeg, MB
    Map
    Yah, it can be confusing ... I have a diploma in electronics and it took me a while to wrap my head around it. :)

    OHMS LAW is a formula and states: Voltage = Current x Resistance

    This formula can be manipulated to solve for different things. If your connections are oxidized, it takes more to push the current through, therefore a higher resistance in the connections.

    Here's a good article to help explain voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/voltage-current-resistance-and-ohms-law
     
  20. Knight

    Knight New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2014
    Messages:
    1,187
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    USA
    Map

    Jeff, I have a degree in Electrical Engineering and I do not have confusion with the theory, only your explanation. Your comments are somewhat of a non sequitur to my example. Nothing I stated disputes the definitions of potential and current.

    "If your connections are dirty / oxidized, it takes more to push the current through"

    In other words, yes, my example is what you refer to. There is a loss across the connection. And it only "takes more to push the current through" if you have "more" available to give as signaled from a feedback loop telling the regulator to "give more", which, I am unsure, may or may not even exist in the motorcycle, system depending on where the drain is. For example, a headlight switch going bad results in losses until the light goes out. The system will never provide more current to overcome the loss. You would need to increase the voltage dramatically, however the voltage potential supplying the light is what it is and does not change.

    To your point, dirty connections result in a voltage drop, up to the point of producing an open circuit. That is much more concise with the theory.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2015
Related Topics

Share This Page