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[byway billy]

thankyou mark, i have had a look but haven't had a chance to work out which is closest. there was one at naseby a couple of years back when another mark ran the franchise at great oxendon and that would have been nearly close enough to push it there! the current ones will be a bit of a distance for me but if and when i get the bullet sorted i may well take a ride to the nearest meet.

[byway billy]

managed to get back to the charging problem over the weekend.
for jaffa90, the bike has electronic ignition so obviously does discharge the battery just running, even without lights.
fully charged the battery reads 13.2 volts across the terminals but left for a while has 12.5
24hrs later it has 12.5 v
back on the bike, the reading was 12.46 v
ticking over it reads 11.85
at revs ( as much as i would want unloaded ) it reads 12.06
after these tests on the bike it reads 12.27
conclusion to me seems to be that the battery is in pretty good condition and accepting charge.
as the alternator seems to be only producing 3 to 4 volts with revs and less than 1 at idle it would seem likely this is my problem, seems to be putting very small charge into battery.
had the cover off today too and all seems tight and clean in there,lock nut on the rotor is tight and everything firm with no play and wiring seems all in tact.
so presumably the only way forward now would be a new stator? i presume its unlikely the rotor would be the problem?
its the first time i have looked at the alternator and i expected there to be a visable gap between the rotor and the stator windings but they seem to be making contact all round, is this right? it must have always been like this as there is no way it could be any other way. each coil winding is actually making contact with the rotor. unfortunately it is all learning curve for me so i may be interpreting all wrong !

[jaffa90]

for jaffa90 and others, yes a lead/acid top up battery in service should read minimum 12.5v, a sealed one is 12.8v.
As Norms post 10.32am 25 sept. Also you need an air gap in between rotor and coils.

[Norm]

Bill there is no way the rotor can be touching all the way around and there is no way you could see the clearance you need the to check it with plastic strip spacers made from a plastic coke bottle or similar. Yesterday had a Commando putting out 30 volts A/C but with a new Podtronics rec/reg only 3 volts coming out of the rec/reg. New wires directly from alt to rec/reg and instantly 13.6 at the battery. We need to know what A/C you have coming from the alt

[byway billy]

thanks Norm, as stated before, the alternator is giving out only 1 volt a/c at idle and reaches a max of 8 at revs.
appreciate about the clearance on the alternator, too small to see.

[Norm]

Ok Bill looks like the stator is probably had it but it could also be the rotor. I fitted a brand new Wassel rotor a couple of years ago that didn't work, replaced it with the Indian one I just removed and it worked fine. No idea why

[byway billy]

thanks norm, ordered a stator from our hosts today and will let you know how i get on, fingers crossed