Charging System Is Really Marginal based on Voltage Monitor

A pretty good number of members here have experience some sort of charging system malfunction at some point during their VFR ownership. I myself have had at least three of the seven VFRs I've owned suffer failures of one kind or another. Normally the issue is solved with a new RR unit and I soldier on never to experience the problem again until this 07 came along. It had already suffered a failure and was equipped with a replacement stator as well as a new RR when I bought it. The previous owner has also installed a VFRness because he didn't want to experience these problems again. When I got the bike the second stator was hurting bad and I was forced to install another almost immediately but I went one step further and installed a voltage monitor to keep a watchful eye on the system. It's a simple unit that provides an LED which glows green for good, yellow for not so good and red for bad. I installed the LED where I could clearly see it when riding and the results are startling actually. It's solid green most of the time but if the engine is hot and the fans come on it will go red if I add an extra load such as using the brakes. It will also go red if I use high beams while at idle. Even when running at 4k rpm it will go yellow when the high beams are selected on.

It has no reserve capacity at all which makes me nervous and as a result I monitor it constantly. I've experienced moments where the engine has actually lost power and the LED is red when moving slow in hot ambient temps which I'm assuming is the fuel pump starving for volts. It really isn't that hot here! We barely see 70F on a good day so it makes me think that my stator is a POS even if it is almost new. I meant it works and it doesn't pulse but dang there must be more reserve than this. No?

 

Even though prone to failure, when the VFR charging system is working correctly, the voltage should not drop so low to trigger the yellow/red LEDs or stall the motorcycle. There's something wrong with your bike's charging system, but I wouldn't assume the problem is the stator. I'd go through "the drill" to diagnose the problem, as documented elsewhere on this site. Also, clean and Oxgard the charging system's connectors as these are prone to failure and cause voltage losses. As you've seen, until the problem is fixed, the motorcycle is prone to randomly shutting down, which is dangerous. I'd park the motorcycle until you solve the problem. Fortunately, you shouldn't have much difficulty finding the issue. Just note that people have found that the R/R can test normal even when it's faulty.

 

I agree but I'm going to have to live with it till I get all my stuff moved out here to the east coast. It sucks when all your tools are 1200 kms away!

I think that a little time with my multi meter will reveal the issue. I suspect that it's my RR unit not properly compensating for changes in load and also suffering from heat buildup. Time will tell.

 

I understand why you might keep riding, but please be aware the bike could shut off at an unfortunate moment. Would hate to lose an RWB ABS. Or it could leave you stranded. Alternately, you could pick up a cheap $10 multimeter. That and the stock 6mm allen wrench in the toolkit should be (I think) all you need to pull the fairing and get started. Would be great if you could keep us posted on your findings.

 

I'll be home this weekend and can pick up the necessary goodies to do a more in depth investigation. I think I have a spare RR kicking around somewhere too which would be good for troubleshooting.

I was out for about two hours tonight with no issue even at engine temps of 220+ but you are right, this go south in a hurry when they go.

 

Jethro911 - what type of Stator are you using?

I looked at cheaper aftermarket stators, but decided to purchase an OEM replacement, when my original stator suffered a hot day melt-down and at the same time fitted an LED voltmeter on my 2007 which now reads a solid 14+ at pretty much anything above idle. It fluctuates slightly with things like the turn signals or heated grips operating but still stays north of 14 volts. If the output is dropping that low and you have a long trip home I would be making sure I have full breakdown assistance cover and a charged mobile phone.


SkiMad

 

The led circuitry could be faulty--definitely need a voltmeter for troubleshooting.

 

Kennybobby is spot on, can't trouble shoot this withoot a voltmeter.