CB550 Charging Issues

E

eyeheartwhiskey

New Member
So i just got my 74 cb550 on the road and I can ride it for about 15 mins before the battery is drained. I've done a little research and it seems like the charging systems on these bikes just sucks.

I am getting around 11.7 volts at idle.

I replaced the rec/reg and got the exact same volt reading.

I have not tested the alternator yet, but it seems like i'm only getting slightly less of a reading than you guys with working alternators.

I know some of you are running kill switches for the headlight, but thats illegal where i live, and my bike is already mostly illegal so thats not going to work.

Any of you guys or gals figured out a fix for this problem?
 
Nothing wrong with 550 generator, no moving electrical parts.
You probably have the regulator wired wrong or a break in wiring
It has to have battery voltage to field coil to generate any power
I have over 106,000 miles on mine, the only problem I ever had was when I crashed it at 80+
 
I had a similar problem on a different bike when I first got it and it was the battery. The problem fixed itself when I started using a battery tender and riding the bike. I'm no expert on the subject but that was my experience and its something worth looking into. If you havent been riding the bike recently maybe the battery needs a little push to make it good again.
 
Pretty sure battery is too small.
I don't remember amp draw of coils, probably 2~3mps each?
with lights and generator 5a/hr isn't leaving any reserve.
It's electromagnetic not permanent magnet
Charging doesn't really start until over 2,000rpm.
You don't try and use electric starter?
It's going to draw about 40amps when turning, probably closer to 60amps initially.
For kickstart only you probably want at least 9a/hr
 
Does the voltage increase when you rev the engine? I'm guessing your stator/alternator is fried and not generating any current. They are solid state, yes, but exist in a very hostile environment (hot engine oil). Furthermore, if someone has ever tried to jump that bike off a running car it can easily overload and damage the system, since bikes weren't made to handle the amps a car alternator can put out. These steps here can help you diagnose the system:

http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/pdf/fault-finding-diagram.pdf
 
Gweenz said:
Does the voltage increase when you rev the engine? I'm guessing your stator/alternator is fried and not generating any current. They are solid state, yes, but exist in a very hostile environment (hot engine oil).
http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/pdf/fault-finding-diagram.pdf
Click to expand...


It doesn't live in oil, it's dry.
It's electromagnetic
Stationary field coil, stationary stator
Disconnect block connector under left side panel
3 yellow wires, as normal for stator, check continuity between pairs and nothing to ground (open circuit)
If it's shorted to ground you've found problem
Green wire (ground) and White wire =power to field coil should have continuity from block connector but not to ground when disconnected
The regulator is mechanical and rectifier has diodes (the only 'solid state' part)
Check red/white tracer to rectifier, they break off due to corrosion an old age
If the wiring is stock and has continuity in main harness, the other most common issue is broken wire under left cover due to incorrect routing when sprockets are changed.
If you messed with the wiring (removing 'unnecessary' wires) your on your own until you figure out what you did
 
crazypj said:
Pretty sure battery is too small.
I don't remember amp draw of coils, probably 2~3mps each?
with lights and generator 5a/hr isn't leaving any reserve.
It's electromagnetic not permanent magnet
Charging doesn't really start until over 2,000rpm.
You don't try and use electric starter?
It's going to draw about 40amps when turning, probably closer to 60amps initially.
For kickstart only you probably want at least 9a/hr
Click to expand...

Would a battery like this work PJ?

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/sYTX7A-BS.html

It says it has 90CCA...would that be sufficient kick-only on a cb550? I am just trying to find something that is a bit smaller than the stock battery size, that isn't outrageously expensive.
 
mothgils said:
Would a battery like this work PJ?

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/sYTX7A-BS.html

It says it has 90CCA...would that be sufficient kick-only on a cb550? I am just trying to find something that is a bit smaller than the stock battery size, that isn't outrageously expensive.
Click to expand...

Yes, that should be fine.
It's same size as used on Yamaha R6 (starter gearing is different on that bike though so only needs 45~50A initial amp draw and has some 'reserve' capacity)
You can even use the electric starter (although I would only use it on 'warm' engine and not starting from cold)
 
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