My CB77 No Longer Charges the Battery

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:32 pm

larry, I'll do that next week and post it.

I hate to rely on memory (because it's not what it once was ;) ), BUT as I recall:

1) Across the battery terminals everything off - 12.4 volts.
2) Across the battery terminals IDLE - 12.5 volts
3) Across the battery terminals 4000 RPM - 12.87 volts

A/C voltage, 4000 RPM

1) Yellow/brown - 40 VAC
2) Pink/brown - 60 VAC

I haven't gotten ammeter readings.

I have a Radio Shack rectifier, and I'll put that back in and measure DC output at various RPM's again.

The Podtronics regulator/rectifier MAY be bad. As I said, it uses a zener diode for threshold voltage, and it might be low. I don't know, yet.

I'll post the actual numbers next week, using your method...and I appreciate it!

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:16 am

Did you ever get a reply from those scooter folks about recharging the rotor?

brewsky · Post by **brewsky** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:50 am

sarals wrote:larry, I'll do that next week and post it.

I hate to rely on memory (because it's not what it once was ;) ), BUT as I recall:

1) Across the battery terminals everything off - 12.4 volts.
2) Across the battery terminals IDLE - 12.5 volts
3) Across the battery terminals 4000 RPM - 12.87 volts

A/C voltage, 4000 RPM

1) Yellow/brown - 40 VAC
2) Pink/brown - 60 VAC

quote]
12.4V is only about 75% charged for a normal lead acid battery, and the charging system is designed to maintain, not charge.........SO, maybe it is actually the battery?

Maybe grasping at straws, but will your battery hold a charged state of 12.7 or have you had it load tested?

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:30 am

The battery may not have been fully charged. Load tested, no. I suppose I should, hmmm?

Vince, I meant to tell you, sorry - they said they "couldn't re-magnetize early Honda rotors". Darn it. I've been out doing silly things (like racing my bicycle with other old ladies and winning medals and stuff ;) ) or I'd have been over to the local automotive electrical place to ask them.

I plan to do a full workup on her this coming week. Oh, I finally bought the proper brass tube for the petcock, too (thanks, Graham)!

Lots to do.

redblk63 · Post by **redblk63** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:17 pm

I agree with Brewsky's suggestion that maybe it's a low-charge battery.

It sounds like you've been living a good life, winning medals at your bike races, so maybe you'll be rewarded and find the battery just needs a good charge.

If you read 12.87 V at 4,000 RPM there is some raise of voltage from the alternator going on. If the battery is pulling a few amps at this point, it could be normal. On the other hand, if the battery is not drawing any current, and there are no voltage drops caused by poor connections between the alternator and the battery, that would be too low.

I need to go back and look at your initial posts again! Sorry if I have forgotten crucial information.

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:16 pm

redblk63 wrote:I agree with Brewsky's suggestion that maybe it's a low-charge battery.

It sounds like you've been living a good life, winning medals at your bike races, so maybe you'll be rewarded and find the battery just needs a good charge.

If you read 12.87 V at 4,000 RPM there is some raise of voltage from the alternator going on. If the battery is pulling a few amps at this point, it could be normal. On the other hand, if the battery is not drawing any current, and there are no voltage drops caused by poor connections between the alternator and the battery, that would be too low.

I need to go back and look at your initial posts again! Sorry if I have forgotten crucial information.

Pasadena Senior Games cycling, it was fun!

No worries, I enjoy reading what everyone has to say. I learn from it, too.

:)

rrietman · Post by **rrietman** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:14 pm

S; your DCvoltages are low by maybe .5 vdc (in a perfect world). your AC voltages are very good. this makes the rectifier suspect. or wiring connections. how much original wire do you have? It does go bad. most likely the heavy connection right at the battery.
Good luck
Randy