Ok, maybe it was just the rectifier

[noahdog]

Well after getting my new/used rectifier in the mail it turns out it's not my only problem. This rectifier doesn't have a dead short in it like the old one but I'm still not getting charge at the battery. I checked the yellow wires coming off the stator and I'm not getting any voltage. Looks like I'm down to a bad stator. Anything else I should be checking before I order up a new stator?

 

[loka]

Re: Damn, iit wasn't just the rectifier!

Dude,

I have spent the last two months trying to sort my non charging issues.

I had proper resistance at the stator
new batt
new field coil
new wiring harness

Turned out a shitty connection was to blame in the old part of the harness. Make sure all the connections from the stator thru that harness are good. I'm not talking a quick look. Look closely, take the wire out of the block if need be. Mine were corroded and one was broken

 

[locOleoN]

Re: Damn, iit wasn't just the rectifier!

Ive been screwed over by the dreaded "Charging Issues" on every single bike that I have owned... Not charging... Undercharing.. overcharging at 19V... bad regulator, bad rectifier, stator..etc..etc..

The problem is, you dont know you have a charging issue until its too late you are stuck somewhere...

Now I put a small LED Volt Meter on all my bikes and since then, I know before hand wether or not the bike is charging properly BEFORE I get stuck somewhere...

on my XS:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KURYAKYN-CHROME-LED-VOLT-METER-HONDA-GOLDWING-4219-/180518178859?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a07b8d02b

Its well worth the money...

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Re: Damn, iit wasn't just the rectifier!

Bad news is your bike does not run, good news is you have an excuse to buy a new tool! Fault finders are great for tracing shorts or unintentional grounds in wiring harnesses. The "magic wand" finds them for you. No seriously check one these out. Great for motorcycles even better for tracing wiring problems in cars. Hope this helps.
http://www.gtc.ca/EN/FF310_EN.html
http://www.epinions.com/review/GTC_FF310_Fault_Finder/content_221296299652

 

[dirtbag]

Re: Damn, iit wasn't just the rectifier!

Read this:

http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3134&hilit=charging+system

Then come back and tell us what you find after testing.

 

[noahdog]

I picked up a new alternator assembly from a guy on my Nighthawk forum who was selling off his parts Bike. He also threw in 3 used rectifiers as a bonus. I hadn't gotten around to swapping the stator but on a whim this morning I decided to throw on the best looking of the rectifiers he sent just to see if by some miracle it made a difference. After riding 120 miles the bike still started right up at the last stop so I decided to put the meter on the battery when we got home. Sure enough I had 12.6V sitting after riding all day and when I started the bike up and revved it up I got 14.6V at the battery. 8) I guess i'll just tuck that spare alternator assembly and the rest of the rectifiers away just in case and start riding the piss out of the Nighthawk while I go back to working on finishing the cafe racer.