Charging issue/question

Shabba wrote: Sooooooo.... I decided to just remove the new r/r and replace it with the old one simply because the old one was charging enough for me to ride to work and back. My thinking is that I'd rather undercharge or just barely charge enough to get some saddle time in without ruining the battery and possibly other parts of the charging system.

Upon removal and inspection, I noticed that the ground cable from the old r/r, where it attaches to the connector, was loose. As I looked further, it came out completely. No corrosion, no breakage, just where the cable and the metal connector divorced. I pulled the plug out of the plastic, carefully crimped it and put it all back together.

Charging? 13.5 at idle, 13.9-14.2 at 4k rpm. Everything is working too. I checked with the high beams on and as soon as I flicked the high beam on, charging dropped to 12.9 and immediately built back up to 14.0.

Does this sound like it's doable until I can get a high quality r/r?

missionkz wrote:

Shabba wrote: Sooooooo.... I decided to just remove the new r/r and replace it with the old one simply because the old one was charging enough for me to ride to work and back. My thinking is that I'd rather undercharge or just barely charge enough to get some saddle time in without ruining the battery and possibly other parts of the charging system.

Upon removal and inspection, I noticed that the ground cable from the old r/r, where it attaches to the connector, was loose. As I looked further, it came out completely. No corrosion, no breakage, just where the cable and the metal connector divorced. I pulled the plug out of the plastic, carefully crimped it and put it all back together.

Charging? 13.5 at idle, 13.9-14.2 at 4k rpm. Everything is working too. I checked with the high beams on and as soon as I flicked the high beam on, charging dropped to 12.9 and immediately built back up to 14.0.

Does this sound like it's doable until I can get a high quality r/r?

I don't understand why you are not getting on the bike and riding it just the way it is.

Shabba wrote:

missionkz wrote:

Shabba wrote: Sooooooo.... I decided to just remove the new r/r and replace it with the old one simply because the old one was charging enough for me to ride to work and back. My thinking is that I'd rather undercharge or just barely charge enough to get some saddle time in without ruining the battery and possibly other parts of the charging system.

Upon removal and inspection, I noticed that the ground cable from the old r/r, where it attaches to the connector, was loose. As I looked further, it came out completely. No corrosion, no breakage, just where the cable and the metal connector divorced. I pulled the plug out of the plastic, carefully crimped it and put it all back together.

Charging? 13.5 at idle, 13.9-14.2 at 4k rpm. Everything is working too. I checked with the high beams on and as soon as I flicked the high beam on, charging dropped to 12.9 and immediately built back up to 14.0.

Does this sound like it's doable until I can get a high quality r/r?

I don't understand why you are not getting on the bike and riding it just the way it is.

For the very reason Ed mentions: the bike is 30 years old and my fear is doing damage that will cost much more time than being cautious and trouble shooting.

I rode it to work today and coupled with the cool weather (53 F when I left, Richmond, VA.), the bike was running like a top. I might take the long way home when I leave this afternoon.

Of concern was the puddle under the bike this morning. It seems the battery did indeed get a little warm while I working on it yesterday. I checked the water level and it was fine so I am presuming that was excess. I will be keeping an eye on it. I've also contacted the seller of the new r/r and he is shipping me a new one this week so I will have a spare.

Otherwise, I'm going to ride. This bike is as fun if not more than my Guzzi. That's saying a lot.

Shabba wrote: Sooooooo.... I decided to just remove the new r/r and replace it with the old one simply because the old one was charging enough for me to ride to work and back. My thinking is that I'd rather undercharge or just barely charge enough to get some saddle time in without ruining the battery and possibly other parts of the charging system.

Upon removal and inspection, I noticed that the ground cable from the old r/r, where it attaches to the connector, was loose. As I looked further, it came out completely. No corrosion, no breakage, just where the cable and the metal connector divorced. I pulled the plug out of the plastic, carefully crimped it and put it all back together.

Charging? 13.5 at idle, 13.9-14.2 at 4k rpm. Everything is working too. I checked with the high beams on and as soon as I flicked the high beam on, charging dropped to 12.9 and immediately built back up to 14.0.

Does this sound like it's doable until I can get a high quality r/r?

jackleberry wrote:

Shabba wrote: Sooooooo.... I decided to just remove the new r/r and replace it with the old one simply because the old one was charging enough for me to ride to work and back. My thinking is that I'd rather undercharge or just barely charge enough to get some saddle time in without ruining the battery and possibly other parts of the charging system.

Upon removal and inspection, I noticed that the ground cable from the old r/r, where it attaches to the connector, was loose. As I looked further, it came out completely. No corrosion, no breakage, just where the cable and the metal connector divorced. I pulled the plug out of the plastic, carefully crimped it and put it all back together.

Charging? 13.5 at idle, 13.9-14.2 at 4k rpm. Everything is working too. I checked with the high beams on and as soon as I flicked the high beam on, charging dropped to 12.9 and immediately built back up to 14.0.

Does this sound like it's doable until I can get a high quality r/r?

If I were you I'd take each spade out of those connectors (R/R side and harness side) one by one and solder them to the wires.

loudhvx wrote: A good clean crimp is better than soldering. Soldering weakens the copper, makes the connection rigid so that it is more prone to breakat the point where the solder ends, and the flux promotes corrosion. There are only a few places that should be soldered (see where the factory used solder) and the connector to the reg/rec is not one of those places. You can get new everything to restore that connection to factory condition.

If 14.2 is the max voltage on the battery, that is about perfect fora warm day.

15v was a spec back in the days of analog meters. Technology has moved on.