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Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through September 07, 2012 » Testing a voltage regulator on an S2 « Previous Next »

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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It was suggested that I post this up one level where it might be more visible, so here it is:

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/690754.html?1345600583

I'm trying to determine if my S2's voltage regulator is good or bad. Thanks for any help. I'll bookmark this thread on the phone as well.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 12:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Check the connections, hook everything up, and start the bike. Put a DC Volt meter across the terminals, rev the motor, and see what the highest voltage you see is.

I'm guessing anything over 15 volts indicates a toasted voltage regulator. Anything under 13 volts indicates a dead stator or dead voltage regulator.
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Midnight_rider
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

DC Volt meter across the terminals?

your talking battery terminals or VR?
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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 12:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll assume he means across the battery terminals. I'm home sick today (bad spinache or something in a Subway sandwich yesterday) so I'll head out to the garage this afternoon and see what it reads. Thanks.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 01:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There's a VR test in the book, if you need it I can try and find it tonight after band practice. It goes along the lines of:

start bike
unplug VR
set tester to VAC and read output across the stator terminals. You should see (IIRC) 48-56VAC at 2400rpm.
Plug the VR back in, and read VDC at the battery terminals, you should be between 13.4-14.6 VDC at the same RPM.

Low AC means toast stator.

Low DC means bad VR.

I put a VR on my S2 about three years ago. Just a sportster part, but I had to switch plugs from the old VR to the new one so it would plug into the S2's chassis. Something about a superseded part or something...but easy enough to do.
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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 02:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks. Got my service manual but missed the check at the battery terminals. Stator tested fine, just need to check the running terminal voltage now. Just trying to get the residuals out of my body from whatever was in my food yesterday so I can spend more than 5 minutes in the garage.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 02:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thats it! Sorry for not being clearer.

Battery terminals, and thanks to Ratbuell for publishing the low and high ranges you can expect.

If it is high, it pretty much has to be a voltage regulator (or VR connector) problem.

If it is low, it could be a dead VR or a dead stator or related connector problem.
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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 03:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Okay, I enlisted the help of a neighbor who happened to be walking by, had him use the throttle while I probed the battery terminals. No change in voltage at the terminals from bike off to when it throttled up to 3,000rpm. So I think I have a dead regulator.

Thanks for the help. It sat for two years, another week or two won't hurt.

edit: I did check across the connector pins going to the stator and got good AC voltage so the stator should be good. I guess it could be the third wire coming out of the VR so I will check that when I feel better before I buy a new reg.

Just called a local dealer, $90 or so out the door. Off to the basement to see what I have to sell on craigslist until the next payday gets here.


(Message edited by mikej on August 22, 2012)
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Jramsey
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 04:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Get an aftermarket v/r for a 94-03 sporty,harness wires are about 1"longer and you will have to change out the battery wire connector.

I used a drag specialties v/r, about $59 from Dennis Kirk #20-9243.
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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 06:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll check into that option as well, thanks.
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