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  #1  
Old 21 Oct 2006
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Voltage reg/Rectifier
OK here goes travelling genius's...sss

Now I have an aircooled Italian 900cc twin that is only testing at 12 volts across the battery terminals at 3,000 or there abouts revs. I believe I should expect 14.5 volts if everything is functioning normally.

As the bike was running rough on three quarter to full throttle when I got it and had been sitting for a while, I assumed blocked up carb jets. I can say categorically that this is not the case anymore! My italianised hands now understand the Mikuni CV carb with oil line heaters very well.

The bike still runs poorly, breaking down (poping, backfiring, running on one cylinder etc) when the throttle is openned wide. I suppose I am trying to find out how to determine wether its the Reg Rec thats clapped out, the coils under load or the stator/alternator itself. Fuses all look good, and I have fiddled with the conectors.

Tips on how I might go about resucitating the Crapati welcomed.....and all you schwinhundt lovers, the G/S has been parked. The new one handles and has brakes but clearly reliablilty is yet to improve....



alec
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Old 21 Oct 2006
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Have you checked the connectors?

With everything still connected measure the voltage into the RR unit. Voltage should increase as revs go up from idle. Set the V meter to AC for this. There will be three wires (assuming it does have a three-phase alternator...) and you should have the same voltage the three ways. You can also disconnect these wires and measure resistance, should be about equal the three ways and no connection to ground. Any other measurement and it's the alternator winding. If this checks out OK try another RR.
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Old 21 Oct 2006
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A simple question first.....How's the battery?
So many times guys over look this simple element!

Is this a Ducati?

I would get hold of a service manual so you can go through all the
electrical trouble shooting steps.

There are always several resistance tests you can do to find the fault,
sometimes they show where it lies and sometimes not.....I've seen
bad stators that show resistance within spec....so who knows.


The batt may test at 12.5 volts but could have a bad cell and causing
problems.

But your system should be putting out about 14 volts as you've pointed out.
So who knows. But a good battery is very important so that the other
components can operate at spec.

Also look for any corrosion, clean all connections, tighten all connections,
look for frayed or abraided wiring looms, split sections, bad kinks, missing
or unplugged or bodged plugs or wires.

Good luck!

Patrick
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Old 21 Oct 2006
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You haven't said what make and model bike you have so any help can only be very generalised .
If the bike has a manual ignition advance system ,you should check this for correct operation as it may not be advancing enough [ or even at all ] at higher revs.
Bad spark plugs can also cause a high end misfire on one cylinder .
But ,as you have pointed out .the alternator may not be charging so put a known good battery on the bike and ride it a short distance to find out if that's the cause of your misfire and then check alternator as suggested .
Weak or stiff carb diaphragms can also be the culprit but you 've already checked them .
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Old 22 Oct 2006
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Thanks guys, Beddhist thats the clue I was seeking, I'll have a go and let you know.

Yes it is a Ducati, a 900 Monster and once running properly will be my regular transport, I am sick of fixing the old BMW. I even have a spare tank to modify for a decent touring range.

It has a good Batt, new spark plugs, filters, belts and oil, new emulsion tubes and lovelly clean carby jets. Caps, fuses and connectors checked. I am just trying to isolate the problem before I waste more money on unnecessary expensive replacement parts.

cheers
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Old 23 Oct 2006
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Your first gess at the rectifier/regulator is a good one - that is the 'normal' failure mode .. much like the airhead rotor on the bm.

One test - does the ret/reg get warm/hot? If cold then it is not doing much work. If hot it is doing too much .. may be not working the right way. I suspect the ret/reg may be passing AC to the battery .. and the battery won't like it .. err if the battery is hot .. it is the ret/reg !!!!!

Certainly a battery voltage that is not over 13 when the motor is running so revs is not good ... fix it before riding anywheres ..

Checking the 'alternator' - Measure the AC output from the alternator .. should go up and down with engine revs .. umm how many volts .. errr that will depend on if it is loaded or not .. ie if the retifier reg is working .. but it should be around the 10 to 20 volts ac level. If my theory is working...
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