Elec-trick-al

[chaterlea25]

Hi,

Is there a switch inside the regulator which stops the charge to the battery if it goes too high or when the battery is fully charged?

Yes, thats how it works, switching on and off the dynamo output as required

John

[Worty]

Sorry, yeah, was probably a stupid question now I know the answer - 'regulator' probably gives the strongest clue!

In my defence, I'm struggling with the weirdness of what's been happening with the electrics ever since the rebuild was completed - it's been a combination of oddities that's left me baffled.

Anyhow, as of tonight, everything seems to be working. Will post again when I come across the next problem.

Thanks again for your input.

[mikeb]

i keep thinking earthing problem, or at least some connection problem. not much affects both charging and lights/horn. did you run additional earthing wires from headlamp earth to battery to frame?

[Worty]

I've got two additional earths so far but I'll try different combinations to see if it'll make a difference - it's a real b*&^%$d trying to work out!!

[Worty]

Switched on the headlamp this morning, did not come on.  Waited about 15 seconds, ammeter wavered a bit, then a click and everything came on - what was the click???

[KiwiGF]

Switched on the headlamp this morning, did not come on.  Waited about 15 seconds, ammeter wavered a bit, then a click and everything came on - what was the click???

Non standard relay???? (Sometimes fitted to make the headlight brighter)

[Worty]

No relays mate, all electrics are standard apart from the regulator - could the 'click' be coming from there and would it affect the lights???

[mikeb]

any chance the click was a tiny spark? if you are 6v there's a few amps being drawn.
there's no way a regulator can affect your lights, unless everything is mis-wired. you could disconnect it and get the lights reliable on the battery to be sure.

[dave55]

Broken terminal, wire , connector arcing across maybe?

[Rex]

I would say the "click" was the switch contacts finally making and bringing the light on by completing the circuit.
Check for something sticking in the switch.

[Worty]

Once again, thanks everyone.

Spent all afternoon putting in earths and checking stuff.  Seems the 'click' is most likely a short as the headlamp bulb/connector appears to be the culprit here.  For example, when only the low or main beam are working, the headlamp connector gets hot as do the wires.  When they are both working, the connector does not get hot.  Seems to me a problem with the connector/bulb set up so I'll replace both.  If this does not work, the next port of call will be the switch, although this seems to work fine when the lights decide to come on.  Incidentally, since putting on the extra earths, the headlamp going out doesn't seem to affect the rear, speedo and running lights or the horn, which it did before.
I hate the bulb connector as they seem really idiot about face.  Is there a better set up out there that actually means the bulb gets a proper contact from the connector rather than screw it on and hope for the best!!

[Bsareg]

Don't  quite understand how both high and low beam can be on together ???

[Worty]

Sometimes high beam works and sometimes low beam (one or the other).  'When they're both working' means when I can get both.

[KiwiGF]

Once again, thanks everyone.

Spent all afternoon putting in earths and checking stuff.  Seems the 'click' is most likely a short as the headlamp bulb/connector appears to be the culprit here.  For example, when only the low or main beam are working, the headlamp connector gets hot as do the wires.  When they are both working, the connector does not get hot.  Seems to me a problem with the connector/bulb set up so I'll replace both.  If this does not work, the next port of call will be the switch, although this seems to work fine when the lights decide to come on.  Incidentally, since putting on the extra earths, the headlamp going out doesn't seem to affect the rear, speedo and running lights or the horn, which it did before.
I hate the bulb connector as they seem really idiot about face.  Is there a better set up out there that actually means the bulb gets a proper contact from the connector rather than screw it on and hope for the best!!

Any chance of a pic of your bulb holder/connector? It might be the same type as on both my bikes, and on both of those I had to solder the earth connector to the main body of the holder to ensure I got a good earth for the bulb......a bad connection there may also cause heat?

[Worty]

I hear what you're saying, so I added an extra earth from the connector earth back to the battery - no difference.  I'm replacing both the connector and the bulb to eliminate them both from the issue (I'll still attach the extra earth to the new connector though).  The bulb terminals are a bit knackered so may not help the situation.  Can't believe that such a simple system can throw up such problems - I've spend hours trying to sort it!! 

Feeling more mellow now after a few Strongbows (hic)