888SP5
Fault finding necessary for my beloved 888 SP5 (number 051).
Found out after changing batteries quite often that charge voltage rises too high when lights are turned on. Am looking for assistance/input from someone who know their way around the charging system. And if I may be able to hookup/rewire the Rectifier in a better manor? Actually dunno the original hookup in detail, but I suspect a voltage drop in the loom somewhere is the main cause!?
Following measurements have been made over battery terminals:
Standstill: 12,47 V
Idle w/o lights: 12,30 V
Idle w lights: 12,00 V and dropping - so no charge at idle revs.
~3000 rpm w/o lights: 14,31 V
~3000 rpm w lights: 15,41 V (as far as I know this fries batteries fast?!)
Anyone that could come with some words of wisdom please? will be greatly appreciated
Cheers!
stafford
Rectifiers go wrong quite often, this is probably the cause.
A Monster two wire one will do or you can use a three wire (phase) one as a replacement and use any two of the yellow wires.
Check the connections between the alternator and the rec for damage/burning, if damaged fit new ones.
Also briefly check the out from the alternator, I forget the exact voltages though.
sagot
I used a 3 wire monster rec/reg from 2006 ish (MOSFET) and rewired everything directly to the battery.
This included soldering the stator out put leads to the yellow rectifier leads. Use two of the reg/rec wires and blank off the third.
something like this:
888SP5
Many thanks for your input Gents!
However, having a bit of electrical insight, I cannot really see that the rectifier/regulator would be the issue, as it seems to work just fine with the lights switched off.... or.... perhaps I'm mistaken?! I anm thinking to try wiring the thing directly to the battery and do the measurements again. But that would mean that I would have no warning light to indicate possible low charge anymore... but would that matter at all really? Anyone who has the wiring diagram on these bikes avaiable? Would much like to have a copy to trace what I believe is a bad connection somewhere.
brad black
If you use an original style or Electrex or other single phase regulator that uses a reference voltage input (the two wire flat connector has one wire to run the light, the other is a reference) then you need to make sure the reference is accurate. This reference is switched through the ignition switch and runs through the loom. If the reference is low, due to the resistance that naturally builds up in an old loom, the regulator will think the battery voltage is lower than it actually is and it will overcharge the battery. I think it's the white/red wire (or maybe pink?).
You can either check the voltage in this wire or (better) run a jump wire from the battery positive to the connector. I pull the connector apart enough that it's still connected, but you can touch the terminal. Then, with the engine running and while checking the battery voltage, touch the jump wire to the terminal. If the battery voltage drops instantly (and it will if it's overcharging) the easiest fix is to cut the reference wire on the loom side of the two wire flat connector, fit a relay running battery power direct to this wire into the regulator and switch the relay on with the loom side of the reference wire coming from the ignition switch. 906 Paso have done this for years, and I've seen a few Monsters and SS do it.
The SH579 3 phase regulator doesn't use a reference, so fitting one does away with this potential issue.
888SP5
Hi Brad,
Many thanks for the detailed info..... i will do the test with a wire, this weekend if family life permits. I do believe it to be what you explain. otherwise why would it work with th lights out? Could I not simply connect reference wire directly to the battery plus and skip the relay you mention entirely?
Cheers and have a great weekend!
sagot
The SH579 3 phase regulator doesn't use a reference, so fitting one does away with this potential issue.[/QUOTE]
Ah. It's seems I'v bypassed this issue without even knowing it! 😱
patrick
2 pictures from a 888 manual
part 6 is the reg/rec, 17 the alt., 11 the ignition switch, 5 the lamps
take care of a proper ground from regulator to battery
patrick
brad black
the relay is so it's only there with the ignition on. i wouldn't have the reg constantly powered.
888SP5
Thanks a bundle Guys!
I'll do some troubleshooting and perhaps find a suitable relay perhaps..... let you know the findings and outcome ASAP😄
888SP5
Hi Guys,
Found that the reference lead from loom dropped all the way down to approx. 8V when turning the lights on?! I put in the relay and new leads directly to the batt positive, just as attached file shows.... seems to have done the job. I hope so, but one thing puzzles me. The charge warning light is now on continuously, dim however, but still on.....? Meassuring over the batt terminals, voltage rises up to 14,8V when reving +3000 rpm, lights or not lights make no difference.... That's still more than it's supposed to I guess? -So I may be looking for a replacement R/R afterall... Any experiences on this as to what's the best to get?
Cheers
patrick
Cannot read your file...
patrick
You should measure if current (A) goes and weight battery acid density
888SP5
Hi Patrick,
It's a simple .pdf file, should suppose no probs to open?! I would measure Amps, but I have no meter for that.... and acid density is not an option as battery is GEL type.... ;o) I will order a R/R from Ingitech and see if that doesen't do off with all my hassle....
Cheers!
patrick
Hello
ok! gel type i didn't know that exists for this size/model... never ear about it (in france)
are the dimensions the same? Witch brand? Many thanks
i will try again to open this pdf file
pat
888SP5
Hey Pat,
I looked for options that were better than the original old style wet cell lead type YUASA YB16AL-A2... sized 207mm x 72mm x 164mm (16Ah capacity). Found local vendor for Banner Batteries (made in Austria) to be best priced/quality, as I also through work have a very good discount on Banner. -Found the following two possibilities about the same sizes:
AGM type 52214: 205mm x 87mm x 162mm (22Ah cap.) -cannot fit this to original place/tray, too wide! Did not want to change the position of tray/battery. So I chose:
GEL type 52101: 183mm x 79mm x 171mm (21Ah cap.) -this I made to fit to original place/tray by cutting of the notch on thebottom compensating the bigger width, removing the steel clamp to compensate for hight/width, cutting some foam to fit the back face compensating the smaller length, and fitting a boxing strap all way around the tray and battery, supporting/securing the whole thing in place! -I now have lots and lots of CCA with the GEL type battery! And for ~50,- EUR, very well priced also! However, am not sure how long it will last when charged at 14,5V by the new R/R... will see.... Have been informed never to charge GEL batteries above 13,8V?!
Happy Easter!
patrick
Good job and for sure good power, suitable for a strong cranking and good for this fragile starting free-wheel.
i also have a yb16 yuasa (the best) since 2 y, but next will be probably the gel one as you did.
Don't worry about the voltage, i also have a stationnery gel battery on my motorhome , and there is a switch on the home electronic board for the gel/acid positions you can use, but as the cabin starter battery is a acid one i kept on the acid position ( the board gives also power to the cabin battery)
knowing the stationnery one also gets Amp. with the cabin alternator too (14,5v)
have a nice Easter too!
pat
888SP5
Finally, I took the step and fitted a completely new R/R. Got it from Ignitech, on this web site.
http://www.ignitech.cz/en/
Very good service from these guys I must say! -It's a "plug and play" solution, fits directly to the same place, bolts and all. And it eliminates the reference lead and is directly connected to the battery now. Finally, I have no charge warning light on, it switches off immediately when the motor starts up, and I have no electrical trouble at all, as far as I can tell.... Charging voltage is well below limits as far as I can measure....
The weather is however still not warm enough for longer trips here, but soon I'll be as much on the road as the family life allows me to be! ;o)
All the best & be careful out there!
