| Author | Message | ||
     Buellisticx1 |
Hi everyone, I do have a charging problem when running with low or high beams but not without them ( running with the position lamp only). With the bike running at 2.000/3.000 RPM running without lights the voltage is around 14.25, but when I turn to the low or high beams on then it drops to 13.2, It cannot reach 14V. At idle it drops around 12.30 Volts. At idle and only turned on the light position it stays around 14 volts. I think the charging system is messed up, either voltage regulator (VR) or alternator is bad or a wire is broken. My 99 X1 has 45.000 miles on it and without any electrics problems so far. Someone has had this problem? What´s going on?. Can anyone give me some insight on this?. Thanks in advance.... | ||
| Oldog |
If I understood you correctly I beleive that the readings are close to normal ...... the voltage at the regulator should not exceed say 14 v and 12.3 at idle sounds a little low, the regulator is likely common with all tube frame bikes 99-02 I would check the battery terminals and the wiring connections, as a charging system failure is not indicated. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'd have to agree. If the output voltage changes with *load*, I'd have to suspect a dead or dying battery. Changes in the rpm/V seem to tell me your regulator/stator are working, but a load change pulling down the system tells me the battery isn't "completing" the charging circuit completely. | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
Sorry for mi english!, I don't know if I'm saying it right. Terminals are tightened and clean of oxidation. What it seems really odd is when at idle and without lights the voltage seems to be normal 13.5 and after a while it raises up to 14.25), but when I turn on the low beam then the voltage drops dramatically to pretty lower (around 12.3 and some times lower),for this reason I think that is not normal,it's pretty much strange. In either case I'll check it out all wiring connections are well. Thanks for the input Oldog. Regards. | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
Ok Ratbuell, The battery is two years old and the voltage Changes in the rpm, but some times at idle the voltage is lower than normal and not charging, yes without lights on. Any ideas? | ||
| Oldog |
The circuit is pretty simple see going wind wards post on upping the charging system output http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=47623&post=1368452#POST1368452 (Message edited by oldog on February 03, 2009) | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
Thanks Oldog I looked on the charging system output. I wondering where is placed the s2 point,Is it placed on the left side beneath fuel tank? right? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Its a shunt regulator driven by SCR's. I won't go into a long technical treatise here, but the long and short of it is that at low RPM's it won't handle as much load. It's an X1? Could you be watching your fuel pump turn on and off? | ||
| Buellistic |
Battery will last usually good for 2 years(some longer) ... Keep on battery trickle charger when not riding 4 plus years... Do not know this as yet because "i" am wanting for my last battery to get to point that it needs to be replaced ... Engine idle should be set at 1000 RPM ... You should as a maintenance check make sure the battery terminals a tight every 5K miles ... Battery charge voltage 13 to 15 volts with engine running at 2000 RPM ... (Message edited by buellistic on February 04, 2009) | ||
| Oldog |
The system Ground (s2 point?) is back under the oil tank on the rear engine mount. there is an electrical ground where you describe I am not sure that it is the alternator ground. 1. with the key on and the engine switch on but the motor is not running what is the voltage ( low beam is on ) 2. with the motor cycle running at idle and the low beam on what is the voltage? 3. in #2 does the voltage go up or down over time Up is good Down is not good. 3a. if test 3 shows up the battery may be weak or bad depending on voltage. 4. check battery voltage at idle after start up, ride about 10K ( 6 miles ) on open road stop and check the battery voltage at idle again what is it? If you are using any electrical accessories or add ons what are they? | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
Problem solved. Well, I have done a deeper diagnosis today and I've checked all things according to the manual. Turned out be a bad Voltage Regulator. I put a new one that I bought from Ebay for "$40" one year ago (P/N Y0302.F) that I have had it as spare, just in case. It seems to be that the old VR wasn't working all that well,but not bad enough for charging the battery while ran without lights (dying VR) With the old VR the voltage at idle and lights on not exceeded 12.30/12.40, now looks like work well (around 12.80 volts. at idle).also, when to rev up the engine at 2.000 Rpm with lights on it shows 14.35 Volts , before with the old VR no more than 13.20 Volts. Also I did clean the Battery Terminals with contact cleaner and then put dielectric grease in them and in wiring connections. I made a jumping wire in my fuse block a while back. From then, when I turn the key on and the engine switch on to start engine just light position on ( Not low beam). Thanks for all your help!!!It’s very much appreciated. Regards. | ||
| Oldog |
Cool But are you sure that was the problem and not a bad connection or ground or some thing like that it seems strange usualy they just quit all together | ||
| Kalali |
I will have to check again but I don't think my voltage goes as high as 14.35 while running at around 2K RPM...I am pretty sure it is below 14 volts. See, now you got me all worried... | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
I checked all ground connections and the VR ground and all OK! Everything looks great,so I will cross my fingers and see how it goes in coming days. Many Thanks for your tips Oldog. Regards. | ||
| Buellisticx1 |
Ja,ja,ja,ja, don't worry Kalali, this may not be your problem, but that's what fixed mine.  |
