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[byway billy]

thanks for the swift replies. i have a multimeter but its not much use in the hands of the incompetent!
seriously though, i have a white and green wire into the regulator from the alternator and there appears less than one or two volts across these when engine revs increased and virtually nothing at idle.
im sure when testing a fault before there was obout 30 odd here. it turned out to be poor connection at the output side of the regulator then. so i am assuming it is the alternator or its wiring that is at fault. the very helpfull PDF from above replies would support this. so its a look at the alternator now i suppose, new territory. just as a bit of history, after fitting a new coil (cracked and leaking oil) i found the ammeter reading high (well into the green) at higher revs and found that by keeping the lights on it reduced the reading to just slightly in the green. i didnt know what was wrong but felt this would restrict the current so it would not fry the battery. ( i suspected the regulator ). the battery has remained in good condition with electrolite levels normal and is holding charge. i ran like this for a few months with no problem, then i noticed no charge at the ammeter on starting but it kicked in soon after riding off. this happened a few times. finally i noticed after a day on the byways the regulator had come away from its fixing on the rear mudguard and was hanging loose.
when i fixed it back in place, i had no reading at the ammeter and have not had since despite a thorough check for loose wires and connections.
sorry guys, now you know as much as i do!

[Norm]

Billy, You had the meter set on A/C when you took that reading?

[byway billy]

thanks norm, i have had a further check. yes i am using a/c mode for the alternator.
i have 12 volts across the brown and black wires that plug in to the rectifier running to the battery and ammeter, indicating that the battery is healthy and there is no break in the connection this side of the rectifier.
i have from 1 (idle) to 8 volts (with revs) a/c going in to the rectifier from the alternator (green and white) not 30 odd as expected.
there is absolutely nothing coming out of the rectifier though (through its own brown and black wires.
does this mean that the rectifier and alternator are both shot? seems unlikely or does a shot rectifier reduce the output that an alternator will put out?
hope this makes sense to you
any thoughts will be greatfully received as this is all new to me.

[jaffa90]

I would start from the beginning, (1) what battery voltage reading (d.c) do you have at the bike, (2) after battery removal,(3) when remote charging,(4) After being off charge for 12 hours, (5) With engine on tick over (6) with engine at 3,000rpm or half revs.??????

[Mark M]

There are 2 REOC branches near you. Home Counties and new South Midlands. Interested? REgards, Mark (Branch Sec, Home Counties)

[byway billy]

any further thoughts from Norm? waiting for your reply on this one mate.

[Beezabryan]

Jaffa90 has made a sensible suggestion and asked for feedback which at the moment has not been forthcoming.

[Norm]

Sorry Bill, been having computer problems, trying to catch up on things, to me you have a problem with the alternator and you won't know if the rec/reg is ok till you get charging happening at the alt, 30 volts A/C is nice but I have seen one as low as 17 volts D/C and it put out 13.5 volts D/C at the battery

[byway billy]

jaffa90, sorry no offence intended mate, have been away working this week and only have the information that i gave in reply to norm. i will charge the battery this weekend and do the tests you suggest and post for your attention. any help greatfully recieved from anyone on this site but please dont be offended if i dont get back swiftly as i do work away a lot.

[Mark M]

So not interested in the location of your nearest REOC branch? You don't have to be a member to just show up you know!
REgards, Mark