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1st March 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 61 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1987
Reputation: 10
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Possible generator/regulator problems?
Hey guys.
I put a brand new generator and regulator combo on my '81 last summer. Shortly after (about 3-5 days) I noticed the generator light wasn't going completely out at a higher rpm. (it would stay on at a low rpm like normal but would only dim at a higher rpm) I tested the output with a meter and I'm getting 12 volts at roughly 2,000 rpm. I vaguely remember someone telling me on here that it should test out at 13 volts. Like I said brand new gen/reg. So it it charging with only 12 volts at 2,000 rpm?
Thanks any help is appreciated.
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1st March 2012
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Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 461 Sportster/Buell Model: xlh ironhead Sportster/Buell Year: 1977
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Went through this last year. DON'T underestimate the regulator ground. Replace the wire and clean the connections. Cost me 200+ at my local indie for a 6 inch ground wire. Second, get a ammeter from autozone and do the test in the stickies to see how much charge you are throwing. Good luck.
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1st March 2012
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,359 Sportster/Buell Model: xlh convert to xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1978 Sportster/Buell Model #2: xlch Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1972 Other Motorcycle Model: Sportster 48 Other Motorcycle Year: 2010
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did you polarize the generator after you installed your new parts?
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If your gonna do something, do it right!
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1st March 2012
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 9,367 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH 1000 Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 75 motor in Norton frame. Other Motorcycle Model: 42WLA 45, Harton, Narley Other Motorcycle Year: 1942
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Was is a CycleElectric gen and reg? Or Chinese aftermarket parts? If it is the latter, it could be faulty new parts. Been some problems with them reported on this board from time to time.
But first, like said above, check ground connections, all wiring, polarize generator etc.
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In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
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1st March 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 61 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1987
Reputation: 10
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I did polarize. And as far as the make of generator I think it was probably a v-twin gen/reg. the problem with the light not going all the way out at a high rpm started just days after putting the new gen/reg on. So I'm not sure. I do know that it was expensive to have it on for only days before it started doing this. The regulator alone was $100 and the generator was well over that...if I wasn't so nauseated over spending that kind of scratch to have it just break anyway I'd just buy an alternator conversion kit. But I can't bring myself to believe that either the gen or the reg are bad...but they probably are.
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1st March 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 61 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1987
Reputation: 10
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I just looked at my receipts for the generator and regulator and they're made by "V-Factor" I'm not sure if this will help.
Thanks
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1st March 2012
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Senior Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rural Ontario
Posts: 2,718 Sportster/Buell Model: FLCH Sportster/Buell Year: 61 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XLCH Kit Bike Sportster/Buell Year #2: 60
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follow this sticky to figure out the problem:
http://xlforum.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=39146
then we can figure out how to fix
__________________
Scott
'61 'CH
'60 'CH
See No Evo, Hear No Evo, Speak No Evo, Ride No Evo
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1st March 2012
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Senior Chief Know It All 2nd Class
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: by the ocean
Posts: 1,408 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch 73 Sportster/Buell Year: sold Sportster/Buell Model #2: 1997 1200s
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hi there is the reg on the end of the gen or is it a frame mount reg if it is a frame mount reg try running a wire from the ground on the reg to a ground wire in the harness as this will ensure a good ground
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1997 1200s 1250 Hammer performance kit . Hammer performance billet inlet manifold .Hammer performance billet pushrod tube holders. energy one extra plate clutch kit . bronze oil pump drive gear upgrade
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1st March 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 61 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1987
Reputation: 10
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Hi. It's a regulator on the end of the generator.
Last edited by Jmcnam11; 1st March 2012 at 07:39..
Reason: Misread an earlier post.
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1st March 2012
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 9,367 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH 1000 Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 75 motor in Norton frame. Other Motorcycle Model: 42WLA 45, Harton, Narley Other Motorcycle Year: 1942
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V-Twin = widely variable quality of parts. Some good, some godawful.
But no need to panic just yet.
Check your connections and ground wires etc. Check main ground wire from the battery too, and battery connections etc.
And check that you have the regulator wires wired up according to the instructions with the gen/reg. It may be a little different from the stock set up.
Then run the checks in the link ScottFisher posted above.
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