| Author | Message | ||
     Sprintex |
After my the resetting the TPS struggle and the bike was running fine so time for a nice ride. We headed up to Greenfield Mass to do the Puppy Dog To The Sea ride. Temp was in the low 30's yesterday so on went the Gerbing heated jacket and head up 91 to Greenfield. Everything was fine till I pulled into Miller Falls state park and I see the v flashing and my voltage light flashing red. I made the mistake of shutting the bike off, battery was flat, even my jump battery could not get it to start. So my friend rode 60 miles to get his trailer. Nice day nice park so not a bad wait. Okay back to not charging I replaced the VR and stator last fall, didn't ride the Buell much this year, I was riding the Guzzi EV I put back together over winter. I never had a charging issue. I do have a HID head light not sure if that would cause a problem maybe a bad wire some where? When I charged the battery and started the bike the it was idling around 1000 (it was idling fine yesterday) When I raved the motor I had 14.2, I let it warm up, then watched the voltage start to drop down to 12. Good think the weather is going to hell, i was looking forward to some cold riding. | ||
| Ourdee |
Check the battery internal resistance. | ||
| Sprintex |
Ah okay https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/36 6283/what-is-the-most-accurate-way-to-measure-inte rnal-resistance-of-a-consumer-batte | ||
| Ourdee |
There are very low priced battery testers now days that do that. | ||
| Sprintex |
Battery is not even a year old, but I know it could be bad. | ||
| Ourdee |
One before last was OLD stock sitting on a HD shelf. If I had tested it, I would have known it was bad the first day I owned it. | ||
| Steveford |
Steve Cote, Moto Guzzi? I think I know you from the old Parts-Is-Parts days. Chuck in a new Yuasa and if that doesn't do it, look at the wiring at the rectum fryer connections and if that doesn't do it look at roadstercycle.com site. | ||
| Steveford |
P.S. Pull the inspection cover and see what it smells like. There is no mistaking a burnt stator. | ||
| Tpehak |
Bad VR or bad Stator. Install voltmeter to see what is going on with rectifier in advance. https://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?52809 -Micro-voltmeter-in-handlebar-control-housing Follow Electrical Manual to test Stator and VR. I had similar situation. I asked a driver to jump start my motorcycle when my battery was not able to crank the engine. That was bad VR. After this I installed voltmeter and new VR from modern Harley Sportster. Original Buell XB VR is piece of crap, it has horrible quality. I depotted my unit and found a bunch of soldering imperfections like lack of wetting etc. Have no surprise why it failed. With such horrible quality buying new VR unit is gambling and it is matter of time when it will happen again. My bet is on VR. (Message edited by Tpehak on November 12, 2019) | ||
| Pushr0d |
I've been meaning to bring this little gem to y'all's attention, and mentioning the voltmeter above reminded me. I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MR7BHDR/ref=p px_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Works great, but it is not easy to see in direct sunlight. I originally bought one with blue lens, but it was almost impossible to see the display in the daytime. I use it as a power source for a phone and GPS, and it shows the line voltage all the time. The Amazon link shows the item as 'unavailable', but others can be found. It cost $10. | ||
| Sprintex |
Steveford yes it's me. I enjoyed dealing with you back then.I always wondered if that was you. You have a good memory that was a few years back. I know a few Guzzi, Buell owners. guess the next step is Royal Enfield..... | ||
| Sprintex |
I have one of those LED volt meters that plug into the power outlet. So starting from a fully charged battery I get around from a cold start I get 13.3 at idle if I rev the motor it goes to 14.3 then at idle it will fall off to 12.1 and stay there. I let the bike cool down, didn't charge the battery, restarted and same result. Like I said new VR from Ricks, new stator, newish battery all last fall. And maybe a thousand miles on it this year. Always on a Tender. I'll do the checks though electrical isn't my strong point! | ||
| Tpehak |
You need multimeter to check rectifier. Check stator first. Measure resistance between the stator lids and compare with what specified in electrical manual. If it is OK check there is no continuity between stator leads and motorcycle ground. If it is OK start motorcycle and measure AC output of the stator at necessary RPM specified in electrical manual. If it is OK the VR is likely bad. Ideally you have to perform the tests on warmed up motorcycle when you observe the voltage drop. Buell Electrical Manual has all instructions step by step how to check rectifier system. And check also connections between VR and stator and between VR and motorcycle harness. Check battery 30 Amp fuse connections and condition. Make sure the wires in Stator-VR-battery fuse-battery circuit are good and have good connections including ground spots. (Message edited by Tpehak on November 12, 2019) | ||
| Ourdee |
Is the tender an always on or a float charger? | ||
| Steveford |
LeMans III or SP, I think it was? Rick's is the place for stators, Roadstercycle is the place for rectifiers. I don't think Accel makes a stator for the Useless but I could be wrong on that one. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Is the XB stator the same as the sportsters? | ||
| Tpehak |
No, it has different mounting spots and wires length. You also have to make sure amount of phases is the same as on your Buell. https://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?52517 -Harley-Davidson-Sportster-Voltage-Regulator-on-Bu ell-XB | ||
| Motorfish |
Accel stator #15211 for Sportsters, was used by some here, with modifications to the plug and wiring. Lifetime guarantee, but probably void if you modify it. I used the Cycle Electric stator. Can’t remember if I had to adapt anything, but it’s been great for over 4k miles, so far. I replaced the VR at the same time, went with the Shindengen from Roadstercycle. No problems running heated grips and vest. Voltmeter always happy. Great setup, so far. | ||
| Cupcake_mike |
Another vote for the Cycle Electric, 6014 if I remember correctly, about 55k on it with no problems | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Isn't cycle electric the OEM manufacturer for the voltage regulators? I seem to recall seeing that name stamped on the back of mine. | ||
| Shoggin |
Ducati. Explains a lot doesn't it?  |
