Hitchcocks Forum

I was out enjoying a spin on the Electra X when it spluttered to a halt, the battery was flat, checked fuses, scratched my head and managed to get home with a lot of banging and rough running after getting the loan of a battery from a very helpful passing motorcycle enthusiast.
After charging the rather old battery to 12.4 volts it started ok on kick starter and charged to 17 -18 volts with head lights on, when stopped there are no lights, no neutral light and the battery discharges dramatically when horn is pressed.
Not had chance to look into the problem any more as yet, I am hoping of course that some other poor soul has had similar issues and can say where to look first,.. any ideas?
DICKC

17-18 volts is far too high a charge, 14-15 is normal.

Failed reg/rectifier cooking batteries?

A.

Thanks chaps, I thought that was too high a charge rate , I haven't checked yet but should imagine the neutral light bulb has blown but not sure about the horn draining the battery, I shall fit a new regulator / rectifier and new battery as this one is a bit tired and then see how it goes.
The reg /rectifier has a 3 pin connector so shall have to source one elsewhere as our hosts only have the 4 pin type.

Any generic three phase unit with the three yellow wires ought to do, that would include the three-phase Boyer Powerbox which our hosts apparently DO have in stock, if you want one with a capacitor fitted, part no. No. 200004A.

A.