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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Electrical - Battery, Charg Sys, Lights, Switches, Sensors & Guages » Archive through April 21, 2013 » Testing Voltage Regulator? « Previous Next »

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Dtech
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 07:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

2005 Lightning XB12Scg (11,500 miles) just purchased. About 30 min into my second ride the engine light came on, a few min later the spedo went out. I pulled over to check things out, when I went to start it it was just clicking (battery dead). Took battery to get tested, it was dead, they charged it and it is fine.
Turn key to "on" gauges sweep and everything looks good. I tested the stator and it read fine.
I do not have a load tester to test the VR as the service manual states.
Any thoughts as to how to test it & what to look for while doing so?
Yes I checked connections & grounds and nothing obvious there.
Thank you.

Please tell me this isn't a sign of life with a Buell. I prefer to ride then repair.
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Terrys1980
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 10:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

VR issues are somewhat common.

AC Output Check
1. Test AC output.
a. Locate voltage regulator connector [46] under
sprocket cover. See 7.25 SPROCKET COVER WIRING.
Disconnect from alternator stator wiring.
b. Connect an AC voltmeter across stator sockets 1-2.
c. Run the engine at 2000 RPM. The AC output should
be 32-40 volts AC. (approximately 16-20 volts per
1000 RPM).
d. Repeat test across stator sockets 2-3 and 1-3.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, March 30, 2012 - 07:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If you want an easier step before you do what Terrys1980 recommended...

Measure the voltage across the battery with the bike not running, tell us what it says.

Measure the voltage across the battery with the bike running, and tell us what it says.

We can start guiding you from there.

(but you will probably see the voltage drop instead of raise, and you will be doing the other test shortly anyway.

If your first ride was also fairly short, your beef should probably be more with the seller, and less with Buell.

But it's all very fixable.
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Dtech
Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 05:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OK, despite the cold & wet weather here is what I found:
Battery read 12.58v just sitting there.
Battery read 11.95v when running regardless of RPM (didn't really take it over 3500)

This was my third ride out, each time it started & ran fine. On my third run out I was about 20 miles or 30 min into the run when the light came on.

The impedance I read across all pins as stated above (on the stator) was .3 ohms.

Thanks,
DMD
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Terrys1980
Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 06:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Need to check stator voltage to determine what is causing the low voltage while running.
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