Cb550 Charging system! Another fun puzzle

[Gobengo2011]

So here's what happened, I'm running a 78' cb550 with a ricks Motorsport electric regulator rectifier unit, I rode the bike yesterday for about 3 hours, ran perfectly, except I noticed the idle would drop suddenly, having to play with my idle all the time. So I got to a red light and let the idle go low and the bike died, all power gone. Battery read 6 volts when I turned key on. When I got a jump everything works fine and the charging system is putting out power(I checked continuity and diodes-all ok) but as soon as I let it go to idle it dies and no power. It is running off of the alternator essentially. I'm assuming the battery (duralast gold 50cca) is bad, but has anyone ever seen this before?

 

[john83]

With the battery down to 6V it could be done for. I'd put it on a real charger, maybe it can be brought back to life. I know my 550, at it's best, does not charge at idle. How much power is yours putting out at idle and at cruising RPM?

 

[Gobengo2011]

At idle I'm getting no power from the charging system, I've heard this is normal for these bikes, at 4k I'm getting about 14 and it goes up from there.

 

[Sonreir]

Got a link to the battery you're using?

 

[Gobengo2011]

I figured it out, had a damaged wire, two strands of copper charging the battery doesn't work too well, explains why it worked for 3 hours the kaput. Thanks guys