|
|
Post by gatman77 on Dec 9, 2014 21:57:31 GMT -5
Hi Guys,
Just troubleshootin' my charging system. Bought a low speed coil from Jim at Lakeserve and I am now getting correct readings from my Alternator. I thought that maybe my rectifier is shot, so I replaced it and now I think I might the used one I purchased is no good.
The rectifier is from a 76 KH400 w/ CDI. The unit has 2 yellow wires, 1 red, and 1 black. I connect the positive lead of the ohmmeter to the black wire and then test the negative on the 2 yellow wires and the red. My ohmmeter is set on ohms(200). I get a 1, which I understand means infinite resistance, on one yellow wire. On the second yellow wire I get infinite as well. I continue the test and connect the negative lead to the red wire and connect the positive lead to each of the yellow wires. I get infinite on one and I get 00.5 (which I think means 0) on the other.
Does this mean that I have another shot rectifier?
P.S. I hate working on electrical
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by mraxl on Dec 9, 2014 22:12:58 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by gatman77 on Dec 9, 2014 22:31:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Dec 9, 2014 23:19:03 GMT -5
I'm confused. The low speed coil is a magneto coil for your ignition system. Now you're talking about the regulator, I think, and that's part of the 12V battery charging system. On top of that, I don't find resistance measurements helpful in checking a voltage regulator, unless you're using the exact model that was used to write the manual. I'd install it and use a meter to measure battery voltage as you rev the engine with the headlight on, and see if the voltage rises to about 14-15 when revved, but doesn't continue to rise.
Edit: You said "The rectifier is from a 76 KH400 w/ CDI" but you don't say what triple (model, year) yours is.
2nd Edit: Things make sense if you have a KH400, so I assume that's what you have, with its separate rectifier and voltage regulator. Your readings do sound like the rectifier has a problem.
The photo of the rectifier in the eBay listing shows connectors that are not right for the KH400, but it may be a generic photo. The one in the photo looks like it has three yellow wires as well, which would mean it's made for a 3-phase alternator like the S bikes have, but you should be able to use it by connecting two of the three yellow wires like two original ones were connected.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Dec 10, 2014 9:09:03 GMT -5
You could use a generic rectifier bridge like this one: 20A Rectifier Bridge at Mouser You might find one on eBay or locally to save on shipping. It needs to be mounted to something to sink heat, preferable with some heat sink compound in the joint, but is probably much more robust than the original unit, and much less expensive. It would be connected like this: + Red wire - Black wire ~ Yellow wire ~ Yellow wire |
|
|
|
Post by gatman77 on Dec 10, 2014 13:49:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Jim. Yes, I realize I am not being entirely clear. My main issue is that when I start my bike, the engine fires fine, but when I check the voltage coming off my battery it stays at around 10-11 volts and does not rise. My battery drains shortly thereafter. I have had battery charging issues will other motorcycles, and have replaced stators which fixed the problem, so that was my line of thinking. So I went to kawatriple.com and into the Troubleshooting sections and completed the tests under alternator, regulator, and rectifier.
Alternator - I completed the test where I check the ohm readings of the ignition coils, capacitor coils, and the signal generating coils. Those numbers looked good.
Regulator - Checked the resistence between the black and red leads, they read between 1,000-1,200 ohms.
Rectifier - Completed the tests above and I am getting poor readings. I think this might be the problem, but it is frustrating b/c I thought I purchased a working rectifier off ebay.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Dec 10, 2014 15:22:57 GMT -5
OK thanks, I think I get it now. For a few bucks you can try a rectifier bridge like the one in my link and see if the battery charges. I think there's a good chance it will.
|
|
