I need some help in relation to a very popular subject and it is as the heading says the battery is not charging, I first of all replaced the battery with a new one, but I still wasn't sure if that was the cure, so went out for a run today after a while I lost power with the headlights on and when I turned them off the power came back. I then stopped for a while and when I went to start the bike up again it wouldn't start, so replaced the battery with the spare battery to get me home and it started ok and got me home. So I now know the problem is not the battery as I first thought, Phew I hope you are still with me
so checked the alternator yellow wires at 5k revs and the readings I got were 190, 173, 72 so what do you think I'm not very good with electrics or multimeters...

Set your multimeter to AC voltage and measure again.

I already had it set to AC voltage but at the 200m range was this correct or not??

Those readings are nowhere near sensible for the AC Volts readings you are after. You want the probes in the unplugged white genny plug by your right knee. Set to AC Volts you should get from bugger all to 50 or so per each set of readings. A+B, A+C and B+C

Then set the meter to resistance and measure on the same points - if you get resistance greater than 0.1/1 ohm you have a dead genny (I think.lol, being dumb)

Bottom line...your genny is going to be screwed

There again, you may just need a new rectifier

Ian

those readings from the yellow wires are way out.. they need to be around 50 each if i remember right..

use this step by step guide to find out exactly what the coo is..
http://www.electrexworld.co.uk/pdfs/Tro ... G-&-RR.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

brido wrote:I already had it set to AC voltage but at the 200m range was this correct or not??

200M is not AC voltage something with an M is going to be either DC Amps or DC Voltage. sounds like your measuing milliamps of current there or getting some bizzare DCV reading:P

What scale is on that section?

AC Usually has only has 2 choices... on a manual meter 200 / 750 or 200 / 600 etc.



Heres a picture of a cheap bog standard chinese type meter that you can get everywhere.

AC voltage is the section in the upper right corner, it has 2 choises (750 / 200 ) and is marked V~ (tilde / sine wave sign)

DC Voltage is marked as V- (Straight line with dots / dashes underneath) you do NOT want to use this one.

Below is the multi meter I am using as you can see for voltage it has ranges 750, 200, 20, 2, 200m, I have been using the 200m range, is it the wrong range that I am using

cannot see your pic - but them ranges are going to be for DC Volts - go for the V~ sign

The dc volt range on the meter is 1000, 200, 20, 2, 200m, and the ac volt range is as above