Forum

[p]

My bike is suffering from overcharging; steady 16volts at anything over tickover. As a temporary measure until I get it home to UK, could I cut voltage to battery down by putting a resistance in series with it (or in the live output from regulator)?
Perhaps there is another and more permanent solution, I can get 4 wire Jap bike regulators locally, but would I need single phase full wave one, or a single phase half wave one?

[Alan (Lancashire)]

you need a common jap single phase reg/rect

there are 3 wires coming from the altenator , 2 are joined , so that leaves you two wires in , most jap regs are 4 wire , but some have a 5th sencing wire , for simplicity choose the 4 wire type ,usually 2 x yellow (to altenator) then black to frame and red to loom

[Norm]

No chance somebody has fitted one of those Indian rectifiers that have the red plug fitting. I have seen 4 of them fitted here and they they give that high reading because they are only a rectifier, but not a regulator

[pilot]

Where are you? I drove my enfield 300 miles on battery alone when I had an issue.
John.

[Alan R]

Unfortunately if, as it seems from your description, the regulator has gone "titsup" the voltage will continue to rise with the increase in RPM ( Because that's what generators do when unregulated)...As PILOT says you can drive a long way using JUST the battery ---- even further if you have electronic ignition ( I recently went on a whole days riding with the lads on my 1980 Triumph Tiger 750 on battery only....It still has the original Triumph "Rita" electronic ignition fitted..) But I did take a spare, fully charged battery--just in case !!------------------ just remember NOT to use ANY of the other electrical items in the meantime....

[p]

Thanks guys, the bike currently has the 2 separate units as originally fitted. Once home - (which won't be a problem, but thanks for suggestions) - would it be best to go for the later combined unit, or maybe even a generic one?
Certainly the present one gives a very steady 16 volts - I presume that they aren't just made that way?? Enfield quality does make me wonder, which is why I am thinking of a "generic". My only symptom is battery uses a lot of water, which can't be good for it.

[Paul M H]

Also see this thread where we were debating this issue recently with the effect the battery may have on it.
http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/fo ... post_65700