| Author | Message | ||
     Vagelis46 |
My first voltage regulator failed at 12000km on my XB12R. The second voltage regulator failed at 23000km. Are these regulators have a 10000km life? I checked the charging system and there is nothing wrong. Also the battery keeps 12.6 Volts. So what is wrong? I am starting to bealive that there is a design error in the charging system : Either the VR is small and has a hard time charging the battery with the lights on. The voltage across the battery at idle is 13V with lights ON, and 13.7V with lights OFF(removed fuse). Also the VR gets very hot around town, since it is very close to the engine? Should I move the VR somewhere under the front fairing, under the lights? The Dealer in Greece charges the equivalent of $225 for the VR. So having to change 2 VR every year is a bad thing. | ||
| Reepicheep |
What primary fluid lubricant are you running? The voltage regulator is (at least was on the 2 phase tuber regulators) a shunt type regulator. So additional real loads (i.e. more light) actually means the regulator does *less* work (sinks less current). So it's not that. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I am using engine oil, preferably 20W-50 mineral oil for motos. Also I have used Syn3 and fully synthetic auto engine oil. I change the oil every 2500km But my generator is OK, giving the right AC voltage and also checked the resistances according with the manual and it was OK. I suspect that since the weather in Greece is hot : 1. The VR gets hot when riding around town, since is very close to the engine, so its life is getting short. I am thinking of adding some wire and fix the VR at the front fairing below the lights. Most manufacturers keep the VR away from heat (engine or exhaust), why not Buell? What do you think 2.The fan is ON every time I switch the engine OFF, so maybe the battery charge goes down by spinning the fan, and the VR is working hard when I start the bike and let it idle for 1 minute to warm up Is there a chance I am so unlucky, to get 2 bad VR ? | ||
| Fdl3 |
1. Even though the VR is near the front exhaust, it is out front and exposed to the air. Since it has cooling fins, I'd expect the Buell people knew what they were doing. So I would be hesitant to move it. 2. The fan operation is normal as you describe. All other Buell XBs do the exact same thing, and there are no wide-spread VR issues reported here on BadWeb (and believe me, if there were, we'd be hearing about it!). The oil question stems from our collective "BadWeb anecdotal speculation"(TM) that GEAR oil may be harmful to the insulation of the stator wires that are exposed to the primary fluid, thereby causing the insulation to expose the bare wire over time, thereby culminating in a short of the stator, thereby frying the stator and possibly the VR as well. If there are no wiring issues from the VR back to the stator, I'd say chalk it up to bad luck and buy another VR. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Is it still the original battery? I think there were also some issues with a connection around the VR... I can't remember if it was the VR / Stator connection or not, but I think it was. People were stretching a prong out or something... Anybody remember? I don't think moving it is the answer either... | ||
| Rsh |
A couple of people including myself have had issues with one of the voltage regulator connectors. The ground side of the two wire connector got hot enough inside to melt the plastic around the terminals, some of the residual melted plastic covered the terminals of the ground side of the connection which caused a non charge condition. In my case you could not tell from the outside of the connector that this problem had occurred. I was going through the checks someone may do when checking out charging system problems, like loose connectors. I scraped off the plastic that got on the terminals with an exacto knife and made sure my ground connections were clean and tight and have not had that problem again. I also got a replacement connector body in case it happens again. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thanks Rsh (though its really time to give up on the .hosts file and move onto ssh, its a dangerous world out there now) that's what I was trying to remember... | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I did about 300 km this weekend with the new Voltage regulator. I had no problems and the bike was really flying. Every time I ride the XB12R, I am getting impressed with its handling and like it more. The Michelin Pilot Power also help, and are the best tires (in my opinion)when compared against the Pireli Diablo Corsa and Dunlop 208RR. So the charging system is OK in practice as well. It was OK when i checked it using the manual. For some reason my VR is toasted after 10,000 km. Well I do not care, I will get a spare one. Thanks for the help! | ||
| Fullpower |
you may consider having a LOAD test done to your fully charged battery. for the regulator to work comfortably it NEEDS to have a good strong battery: think internal resistance. as a battery gets weak with age, it's plates will become sulfated, internal resistance goes up, and thus more no-load current is turned into HEAT in the total loss shunt type voltage regulator. If you are really worried about your voltage regulator lasting a long time ADD some auxilliary lighting, and maybe run some heated grips and/or an electric heated vest like I do. 23,000 miles ( that is a bunch of those little kilometres that you were riding) and I have had very good service from my Voltage regulator. |
