titan5699
Been Around the Block
Hey guys!
I'm getting some weird electrical issues with my 76 CB550.
With a fully charged battery connected, and the ignition off, I get a normal (12.5 or so) voltage reading. When I switch the key to on, the voltage drops to about 9v and will keep dropping. When I flip the key back to off, the voltage will begin to rise again to about normal or slightly below the 12.5v. If I turn the key all the way to the "Park" setting, I will get a slight voltage drop (low 12.xx volts or high 11.xx volts) due to the lights being on. If I am quick enough, I can turn the ignition to on and use the kick starter to run the bike before the battery drops too low. While running the voltage does not go up or down as long as I am at about 3K rpm or higher. It will stay at around the 8.xx volts. Below 3K rpm, it will continue to drop, which is normal for that bike when everything was running properly. Below 3K rpm (like if it were sitting at idle) it will not recharge the battery.
I have tried to remove the tail light and the head light fuses to see if that would change anything, but no difference. Also replaced the main 30a fuse with no difference. No fuses were blown during any of this.
I have tested the aftermarket regulator/rectifier unit, and it seems like the diodes are not properly functioning so I swapped out for the original separated rectifier and regulator units. I tested the original rectifier and I got good readings for the diodes. Now when I run it, I get better voltage readings, at about 3K rpm I get 13.xx volts. I tested it all the way up to about 6K rpm and was getting readings in the high 15.xx to low 16.xx volts. That seemed high to me if the regulator is properly working, but I am not sure with the original regulator. The aftermarket regulator/rectifier unit I believe would cap the voltage at about 14.xx volts when it was working properly. But for now I left the original rectifier and regulator units on the bike since I got better results with them. I think the aftermarket regulator/rectifier is no good. I was hoping that would solve the issue of the voltage dropping, but nope. Biggest difference with the original parts back in is that the voltage goes back up like normal when running at about 3K+ rpm.
I had the aftermarket unit in for about 1-2 years with no issues before, in fact I was riding it regularly up until this issue showed itself. I washed it the day before this happened, to get it all nice and shiny for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride the next day. I ran it for a little while after I washed it to make sure everything was working properly and to dry up some of the water left on the bike. I put the bike away for the night and put it on the battery tender (which I have done numerous times). Wake up on Sunday to get the bike out and warmed up for the DGR and no power at all. I checked the fuses, all were good, changed the main fuse just for good measure, no difference. I checked the voltage, the battery was completely flat, actually reading about 0.01x volts. The battery is about 1 year old and is a gel battery. I charged up a back up battery, and had the same outcome when I left it on the battery tender and hooked up in the bike for a night. Both times, it took a normal reading battery and completely depleted it over night while being on the battery tender.
I have been looking for loose connections and exposed wires, Ive thoroughly cleaned the ground connection and battery terminals. I am just puzzled why the voltage drops when the ignition is turned to ON, but doesn't do it when OFF or on PARK. It might be something simple and stupid that I am over looking, so please, if you have any suggestions let me know.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
-Rob
I'm getting some weird electrical issues with my 76 CB550.
With a fully charged battery connected, and the ignition off, I get a normal (12.5 or so) voltage reading. When I switch the key to on, the voltage drops to about 9v and will keep dropping. When I flip the key back to off, the voltage will begin to rise again to about normal or slightly below the 12.5v. If I turn the key all the way to the "Park" setting, I will get a slight voltage drop (low 12.xx volts or high 11.xx volts) due to the lights being on. If I am quick enough, I can turn the ignition to on and use the kick starter to run the bike before the battery drops too low. While running the voltage does not go up or down as long as I am at about 3K rpm or higher. It will stay at around the 8.xx volts. Below 3K rpm, it will continue to drop, which is normal for that bike when everything was running properly. Below 3K rpm (like if it were sitting at idle) it will not recharge the battery.
I have tried to remove the tail light and the head light fuses to see if that would change anything, but no difference. Also replaced the main 30a fuse with no difference. No fuses were blown during any of this.
I have tested the aftermarket regulator/rectifier unit, and it seems like the diodes are not properly functioning so I swapped out for the original separated rectifier and regulator units. I tested the original rectifier and I got good readings for the diodes. Now when I run it, I get better voltage readings, at about 3K rpm I get 13.xx volts. I tested it all the way up to about 6K rpm and was getting readings in the high 15.xx to low 16.xx volts. That seemed high to me if the regulator is properly working, but I am not sure with the original regulator. The aftermarket regulator/rectifier unit I believe would cap the voltage at about 14.xx volts when it was working properly. But for now I left the original rectifier and regulator units on the bike since I got better results with them. I think the aftermarket regulator/rectifier is no good. I was hoping that would solve the issue of the voltage dropping, but nope. Biggest difference with the original parts back in is that the voltage goes back up like normal when running at about 3K+ rpm.
I had the aftermarket unit in for about 1-2 years with no issues before, in fact I was riding it regularly up until this issue showed itself. I washed it the day before this happened, to get it all nice and shiny for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride the next day. I ran it for a little while after I washed it to make sure everything was working properly and to dry up some of the water left on the bike. I put the bike away for the night and put it on the battery tender (which I have done numerous times). Wake up on Sunday to get the bike out and warmed up for the DGR and no power at all. I checked the fuses, all were good, changed the main fuse just for good measure, no difference. I checked the voltage, the battery was completely flat, actually reading about 0.01x volts. The battery is about 1 year old and is a gel battery. I charged up a back up battery, and had the same outcome when I left it on the battery tender and hooked up in the bike for a night. Both times, it took a normal reading battery and completely depleted it over night while being on the battery tender.
I have been looking for loose connections and exposed wires, Ive thoroughly cleaned the ground connection and battery terminals. I am just puzzled why the voltage drops when the ignition is turned to ON, but doesn't do it when OFF or on PARK. It might be something simple and stupid that I am over looking, so please, if you have any suggestions let me know.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
-Rob