Hey everyone!
Just picked up a 1993 GS500 about a week ago, and I have run into a little problem with it..
I have read about 20 or 30 threads about the charging system on this bike, but none of them exactly answered my questions. So, I have a good battery in the bike. While the bike is running at about 3K, I get about 12.6 volts, if I hit the brakes, it drops to 12.3 or so. The headlight dims whenever I brake or hit the blinkers while riding, and the bike discharges the battery while riding. I know there is a charging problem, so I get out my handy Haynes manual.
Continuity test for alternator: I have continuity when touching any of the 3 alternator wires to EACHOTHER, and NO continuity when going from alternator wires to frame, so according to the Haynes, my windings are in good order.. BUT then I did the alternator no-load test.
Alternator no-load test: I have 5 volts AC on two separate alternator wires, and 45 volts AC coming off one wire. Haynes says a minimum of 75 volts AC. How can my continuity test check out OK, but then I have bad voltage output? How do I know what piece is fouled, the stator or the rotor?
I also checked my RR, and it did not pass the ohm's check. I tested 4 of the connections, of which the book said I should get 6 ohms, and my RR was giving me 9 ohms. So I have a bad generator piece and a bad RR?
Any help is appreciated!
Sounds like a bad stator.It's rare that the rotor looses magnetism.
And a bad rotor would cause low voltage on all 3 phases of the stator. I would recommend you only replace the stator. Then check the charging system voltages.
Multimeters cannot accurately measure very low resistances, the stator is either full of shorts or breaking down to earth under load.
Alrighty, bad stator it is! I did a bit of searching and found that 1989-1996 stators will work for my bike, but the question is... Find a used one on ebay that the seller says is functional, for $50-80. OR blow $100+ on a brand new stator. Bearing in mind of course, that I only paid $300 for this entire motorcycle.. It kinda sucks that I need a part that costs 1/3 of the value of my bike.
Also, what about my regulator? Should I wait until I get another stator and test again, before I go ahead and purchase a regulator? Is there a cheap and easy upgrade for the RR?
Thanks for the help so far guys! :thumb:
Quote from: SV_Hadder on May 12, 2011, 10:42:57 PM
Is there a cheap and easy upgrade for the RR?
Yes. Go to a superior non-SCR-based design. Used, they are not much more expensive than what ppl want for the GS500 OEM part, and this one bolts perfectly into the factory location with a bit of filing on the part.
I used the FH008 as shown below, off a wrecked '02 CBR1000R. Clip the leads, install stock GS500 ends. Go Go Go.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55216.0
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/decosse01/1d43_3.jpg)
Quote from: SV_Hadder on May 12, 2011, 10:42:57 PM
Alrighty, bad stator it is! I did a bit of searching and found that 1989-1996 stators will work for my bike, but the question is... Find a used one on ebay that the seller says is functional, for $50-80. OR blow $100+ on a brand new stator. Bearing in mind of course, that I only paid $300 for this entire motorcycle.. It kinda sucks that I need a part that costs 1/3 of the value of my bike.
Also, what about my regulator? Should I wait until I get another stator and test again, before I go ahead and purchase a regulator? Is there a cheap and easy upgrade for the RR?
Thanks for the help so far guys! :thumb:
Since you only paid 300 for the bike, you should get a stator free ... yea ...
Well, you got it cheap because of this and other problems I would think, so its time to fix the problems that keep you from riding the bike ...
I'd get a rewound stator from electrex or some such, or ricky's stator. They hold up great, though a stator that has a nice light caramel color is a good one likely and one that has a lot of black and dark brown color is likely bad.
Make sure your R/R deosn't ahve a short in it, that can kill a stator.
Cool.
Buddha.
Hey,
If you need a new stator, I have a buddy who bought one from Electrosport for his bike, only to find that he didn't need it.
http://www.electrosport.com/street-bikes/suzuki/gs550l-m-80-82/stator-3-phase-suzuki.html
It is a brand new unit and I'm sure he'll want to get rid of it.
Let me know ASAP and I'll get it from him and send it.
How about $80 shipped?
Let me know.
Yours,
Trwhouse
Quote from: noiseguy on May 13, 2011, 08:27:08 AM
Quote from: SV_Hadder on May 12, 2011, 10:42:57 PM
Is there a cheap and easy upgrade for the RR?
Yes. Go to a superior non-SCR-based design. Used, they are not much more expensive than what ppl want for the GS500 OEM part, and this one bolts perfectly into the factory location with a bit of filing on the part.
I used the FH008 as shown below, off a wrecked '02 CBR1000R. Clip the leads, install stock GS500 ends. Go Go Go.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55216.0
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/decosse01/1d43_3.jpg)
How is this an upgrade over the stock rectifier?From my understanding a rectifier takes AC voltage and rectifies it into DC.If the stator is providing good AC voltage then the rectifier will do the same doesn't matter what rectifier is used as long as it's AC to 12V DC.I'll do research.
Read:
http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-triple-forum/104504-charging-system-diagnostics-rectifier-regulator-upgrade.html
Quote from: noiseguy on May 13, 2011, 01:15:59 PM
Read:
http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-triple-forum/104504-charging-system-diagnostics-rectifier-regulator-upgrade.html
I read it and it's a good read for trouble shooting.I didn't realize the new bikes had mosfet controllers instead of a shunt.I completely get it now.Maybe I should learn more about the newer bikes.
This is one of those rare cases where technology took a step forward and completely replaces the old tech in a superior manner without tradeoffs (that I'm aware of... maybe cost?) Either way, makes sense to spend the money once and right in this case... best thing is that it's a very easy mechanical and electrical retrofit. I suppose I should take a couple of pics.
Quote from: noiseguy on May 13, 2011, 07:32:22 PM
This is one of those rare cases where technology took a step forward and completely replaces the old tech in a superior manner without tradeoffs (that I'm aware of... maybe cost?) Either way, makes sense to spend the money once and right in this case... best thing is that it's a very easy mechanical and electrical retrofit. I suppose I should take a couple of pics.
Those things are super easy to change.Just gotta know the wiring color of the bike and new rectifier, and get the correct electrical plugs.I'd say it's about a 15 to 20 minute job.I may do this when I swap around some other electrical parts. :thumb: