Battery or earthing problem?

[Hubie]

Hi again Muskrat,

I did just that, no dice with lights at all.  Gen will only come on intermittently even at revs.

Cheers,

Dave.

[trevinoz]

Hubie,
           Go trawling through previous posts and you will find plenty of info to test your generator.
Generators usually work or don't work, possibly your regulator is failing intermittently.
If you can't find the test procedures, I or someone else will surely re post them.
Trev.

[Hubie]

More testing today.  Bike charged up again for short while, disconnected the regulator for a short time and then reconnected it, charged again for a short time.  Maybe the reg has had it?

[trevinoz]

Hubie,
            First things first.
Test generator then go for regulator.
          Trev.

[wilko]

Sticky brushes.

[Hubie]

Just a question (haven't had the chance to get the gen out owing to a death in the family),

Will a 12v reg work with my setup, or a reg/rectifier?

Thanks,

Dave

[muskrat]

G'day Dave,
                not 100% sure but I don't think so. A reg/rec is for an alternator type system where the rec converts AC to DC. Generator systems use a reg only.
Cheers

[wilko]

They've been making 12v reggys for 30 years for 6volt gennys. I believe the Podronics are the best. You just change your brush and field wire configuration.

[Hubie]

The generator is putting out 1.2 to 1.7 volts.  According to the test data, this means there is a fault in the armature winding......

[Josh Cox]

Hubie,

That 1.2 volts, is that whilst reving the engine or at idle ?.

[trevinoz]

Hubie,
             It seems like a crook armature to me, check brushes are OK though.
Measure field resistance between "F" terminal and earth. Should be around 3 ohms.
The armature is not so easy to test.
Some use a "growler". I "drop test" them. Both methods need the equipment to do the test.
  Trev.

[Hubie]

Which kind of generator is it?  Will need to order a new armature and brushes for it.  Doesn't look like it will be cheap either!  I am considering a 12v conversion too, apparently you just have to change the wiring setup and have the proper regulator and then it's just globes.  I have the vreg II which you can just cut the green wire to change it to 12 volt.  And a battery of course!

Cheers,

Dave

[muskrat]

I just rebuilt my dynamo with one of these http://www.hawkerelectrical.co.uk/items/17-1_13-lucas-e3l-ac-dynamo-rebuild-kit.htm  All fitted right and works a treat. I use a similar reg a dvr2 for 12 volt.
cheers.

[trevinoz]

Dave,
           Check out Empire Spares in the UK for an armature.
They have them listed at something like A$58.00.
All of their parts are a steal!
Trev.

[Hubie]

Thanks Trev,

I'll take a look at it.  I have been recommended by a large number of people here to go to COD rewinds in Chiltern, Vic, I have it out now which was very easy (If only My Royal Enfield twin was as easy to pull things apart!).  All of my classic bike contacts reccomend him.
Time for a descision.

[fido]

Have you checked the brushes yet?

[Hubie]

Hi all,

The problem has been diagnosed as a failed armature.  I have ordered one through empire spares so thanks to all for the help and suggestion.  Have also ordered a 24 tooth engine sprocket too.

Cheers,

Hubie

[trevinoz]

Hubie,
            If you fit a 24 tooth engine sprocket and you have the standard 19 tooth gearbox and 42 tooth rear sprocket, you will seriously over gear your bike with a final ratio of 3.76:1 compared to the standard 4.53:1.
    Trev.

[muskrat]

With those sprockets you will get 60 mph at about 3000 rpm, so could do 140 mph if the motor will pull it !!!
Cheers

[Hubie]

Hi guys,

It will be an interesting experiment.  I'm led to believe the RGS had a 24 tooth engine sprocket but I am not sure of the size on the box or the rear wheel.