charging system 101

[ThAzKat]

yes, this is the basic's of a Katana and we will work on Modification's of the systems in other threads. This is for all the beginner's that want help understanding what their bike is all about.

[ThAzKat]

Charging system
Generator w/IC Regulator
Features solid state regulator that is inside the generator. All components are enclosed into a solid mold. This unit is atthached to the brush holder frame. The reulator voltage setting cannot be adjusted. Two brushes carry current through two slip rings to the rotor coil mounted on the rotor.
Stator windings are assembled on the inside of a laminated core that forms part of the generator housing.
A rectifier bridge, which is connected to the stator windings, contains eight diodes and electrically changes the stator A/C volts to D/Cvolts which appears at the generator output.

[The CyberPoet]

The nominal output of the system is 500 ( pre-98 ) to 550 (98+) watts.
Voltages for testing purposes are as follows:
Bike off: 12.7 volts or higher. Lower than 12.7 volts, fill battery water levels for standard batteries, recharge battery and test battery (to test, charge, measure voltage between the poles after charging at 12.7 volts or higher, leave disconnected 6 hours and remeasure -- voltage should not have dropped over that time).
Bike running, 5k RPM in Neutral: 13.2 to 14.7 volts. Below 13.2 or above 14.7, either the charging system or the battery is defective. Outside of this range, the cause is usually the IC rectifier pack that controls the power-output, and secondary problems/symptoms may exist if the IC rectifier pack is permitting A/C power to spill over into the rest of the electrical system.

Early warning that either the battery is weak, defective or that the charging system isn't working as it should include:
Headlights going bright-dim at steady RPM levels;
Bulbs blowing filaments intermittently (not consistently a single bulb or pair of bulbs, blowing filaments more than once a month) -- usually A/C getting through the IC Rectifier pack.

More help, see: CyberPoet's "Motorcycle Charging and Electrical Diagnostics Page" at MotorcycleAnchor.com - makers of superior motorcycle ground anchors

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

like that, thanks CP. now lets keep basic and laymen<spelling> terms. for those that aren't edumacated

[badboy_bikerboy]

is it possible to set the charging system to engage at low rpm range? because it noticed that when i'm running at low speed the bike isn't charging that good compared at running in much higher rpm range.

[ThAzKat]

what readings are you getting?

[The CyberPoet]

is it possible to set the charging system to engage at low rpm range? because it noticed that when i'm running at low speed the bike isn't charging that good compared at running in much higher rpm range.

On a Katana, the charging system should still be in a positive charging status even at warm-idle (unlike some bikes which don't hit a postive charging status until a higher RPM, like 3k to 4k before break-even). Obviously the system should put out more power at 5k RPM than at 1200 RPM, but unless your battery is weak or the system is actually partially defective, you shouldn't notice it.

Give us your voltage readings between the battery terminals under the following conditions:
(A) Engine off, key out;
(B) Engine on, at idle;
(C) Engine on, at 5k RPM in neutral.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[md86]

Yeah , at idle mine charges at 14.5 or higher . Methinks you got problems .

[ThAzKat]

But if you are only getting battery voltage at idle then you should start doing some troubleshooting. You can find this information in your manual and if you don't have a manual check ronayers.com. They have the best price on factory service manuals as of late.