While I was pulling away from the house.. I was thinking about the regulator, and how it hasn't failed in a while...
Got almost to work this morning..
Pulled into the left turn lane to turn to go into the industrial area my job is at (3 lanes of heavy traffic to cross)...
Bike dies.. Won't start... Not enough juice..
Battery / Regulator...
I'll find out later when I go put a jump box on it, and ride it the last 1/4 mile to work, then investigate..
I should have never thunk it.. JINX!
I now carry a spare regulator in my saddle bag. On a recent short trip with my grandson riding the second Magna, we experienced an electrical failure. Swapped out the regulator beside the road, nursed the bike to the destination, the Honda dealer in New Braunfels. Turns out it was the battery. So, now, in addition to a regulator, I carry a small VOM.
On a return trip from Alpine TX a couple of years ago with Skyride, who got rather tired of pushing me to get the bike started, I replaced the battery with one I bought at Walmart. It got me home. In that case, it was the reg-rect unit. Again, it would have been nice to have a VOM along. The smallest one from Harbor Freight only costs a few bucks, and I strongly recommend it for inclusion in "emergency" supplies.
Quote from: lragan on March 01, 2016, 08:36:58 AM
So, now, in addition to a regulator, I carry a small VOM.
..and a VOM is...? Voltage Meter?
Hop Along
Sorry, Volt-Ohm-Meter.
I have a small 1"X3" Alternator tester that I carry.. I just has several LED's and Voltages next to them.. Good enough for side of the road work..
Unfortunately I've soldered my connections, so.. IF I want to carry a spare, I'd have to swap out my Stator or get a donor set of Plugs (anybody have any??)
I borrowed a VOM at work.. Rev'ed the motor.. No change at all...
Ordered a Electro Sport Regulator.. Seems the people I bought it from Probably don't keep them in stock as it's suppose to show up in about a week..
So, I charged the battery good...
I pulled the headlight Fuse
I strapped on a Battery jump box to my rack (just in case)]
and rode the bike home... Made it all 16 miles without having to stop and re-juice..
Now.. It's the waiting game for the mail man.. I think this is my 4th regulator in 120K miles (2 bikes).
Interesting that it was cold enough to wear a jacket, so heat shouldn't have played a part in the failure (except over time)
You guys need to put a permanent voltmeter on your bikes so you see these things coming. I've had one since my first RR failed but the thing is you actually have to listen to what it's telling you. Although I had seen the evidence of undercharging for several weeks (seemed intermittent), I continued to ride the bike until the point where I had taken a short trip to check on the status of my wife's car at the local Audi dealership and then couldn't get it started to head back home. Fortunately, being at a car dealership, they were able to bring out a portable battery to get the bike started. Ordered the new Mosfet RR as soon as I got back to the house :-x
Kept swearing I was going to get one, but never did.. Now I've ordered two.. Not sure which one I'll use, but it will be one of them
I also ordered some connectors so I can make mine more easily interchangeable. (they are NOT the same as stock, but will work.
I may purchase one of the sub-$30 ones and just keep it around for the next event.. and take it with on any long trips.
Quote from: lragan on March 01, 2016, 08:36:58 AM
I now carry a spare regulator in my saddle bag.
So, now, in addition to a regulator, I carry a small VOM.
I do the same and installed the VM as seen in the photo below.
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/Motorcycles/Magna%20Tech/DSCN9576.jpg) (http://s203.photobucket.com/user/TLRam1/media/Motorcycles/Magna%20Tech/DSCN9576.jpg.html)
I bought one that looks similar to yours and another one that looks like a knock off of Kuryakyn..
Plan to put it in the same space as you did.
[/quote]
I do the same and installed the VM as seen in the photo below.
[/quote]
Terry and Hoot-that is a nice little display there. Mind sharing specifics of brand/source? Also, is it too bright or distracting at night?
Hop Along
THESE MAY NOT BE THE EXACT BUYERS I GOT MINE FROM, BUT THEY ARE SIMILAR
RECTANGLE (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Mini-DC-Waterproof-0-28-DC-3-5-30V-Mini-Digital-LED-Voltmeter-Volt-Meter-USA-/221840249360?hash=item33a6b59210:g:q7UAAOSwHnFVumTB)
Kuryakyn STYLE (http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Battery-voltage-indicator-meter-Auto-Motorcycle-ATV-Tractor-applications-/321724063654?hash=item4ae83f9fa6:g:pewAAOSwYGFUvTbZ&vxp=mtr)
THE FIRST IS SUPPOSED TO BE WATER PROOF
THE SECOND IS WATER RESISTANT
Quote from: TLRam1 on March 03, 2016, 11:14:58 PM
I do the same and installed the VM as seen in the photo below.
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/Motorcycles/Magna%20Tech/DSCN9576.jpg) (http://s203.photobucket.com/user/TLRam1/media/Motorcycles/Magna%20Tech/DSCN9576.jpg.html)
19k Miles?? Why don't you go ride some this weekend!!!
It has more now on it, 19 thousand and 1. :) Since Magnas are not made any longer I am saving mine.
Hop Along, I will have to look and see if I can find where to get this at, it was several years back.
QuoteIs it too bright or distracting at night?
To answer your question, that was my concern also Hop Along, no it is not too bright at night. The trade off is, it is dim during the daytime but you can make out what it says. I can deal with the daytime as long as it was not too bright at night and we are good there.
I don't think I bought mine from this guy but I think it is the same one.
http://stores.advmonster.com/waterproof-digital-voltmeter/
Hop - I think the concern is the other way around..
The little rectangular meter is perfect at night (get red or green as it won't mess with your night vision).
But pretty much can't be seen during the day... unless you cover it with your hand to block the sunlight...
I am awaiting my other meter and I'll update once I try that one out..
Thanks for the comments and links everyone.
I am fine with a brightness that isn't too bright at night, I can cover it at day to get a glance as needed.
Heaven knows you have to do that enough to kill glare from the speedo/tach faces when riding anyways!
Hop Along, who is neglecting the Magna for the new DR650, but also happy his favourite Frozen Custard stand has a new flavor... mixed berries, called "The Purple People Eater". Which is what I call my bike!!
:-o
Hi Terry
May I know how do you hook up yr VM on the bike ? I use the 2 wires VM that look similar as your to the headlight of the 3rd gen. magna but I am getting non true voltage reading of the battery. I only at 10 to 11.5 V but I measured the battery and there is difference of about 1.5 to 2 V.
Thanks
Hadi
Hadi,
I don't remember which wires I used, since I have accessories up front it could have been several different wires. It is on a circuit that is a Switched circuit (power is cut with ignition off).
I would keep trying different circuits, not sure why yours is acting that way. You probably already tested but make sure your VM when connected straight to the battery reads correctly.
If all else fails, post up again and I will go see what I can find on mine.
Quote from: TLRam1 on March 21, 2016, 12:18:43 AM
Hadi,
I don't remember which wires I used, since I have accessories up front it could have been several different wires. It is on a circuit that is a Switched circuit (power is cut with ignition off).
I would keep trying different circuits, not sure why yours is acting that way. You probably already tested but make sure your VM when connected straight to the battery reads correctly.
If all else fails, post up again and I will go see what I can find on mine.
I used an Auxiliary wire I ran from the battery thru a triple switch box on my master cylinder. I used the switch that powers my phone charger (low draw). This means my meter only works when I flip the switch, but also works whether the key is in the ignition switch or not (i do have a kill switch on this feed elsewhere. I almost always have my phone mounted and charging when I ride, and it's ok if I don't I can still turn on the switch without hurting anything.
I thought about the head light circuit, (it is switched) BUT 1) it is a high draw circuit 2) when you go to the other beam, you loose your meter.
You could use the wire that feeds the background lighting for the gauges, that would be low draw and switched.
Hoot-I like your idea. I think I have the same 3-switch pod thingie on top of the master brake cylinder perhaps...
Hop Along
it's a little distorted, but See video of Volt Meter...
Running at cruising speed, two green lights on.
Usually around 1500 - 1700 with the aux. lights on the meter is in the yellow.
Should I worry about the high drain while sitting at a light? I know it's always been like that before I had the meter, but now I know..
It's a pain to turn off and on the Aux light when I stop.
But I like the meter better than the Digital display. The Digital is hard to see during the day and I think the Analog display of this meter makes it easy to determine what's going on at a glance.
It is a little (just a little) at night, but it is mostly red and greens which does not effect your night vision.
I think a couple of times I had a weak regulator for a while before it failed.. It will be much easier to detect with this meter!
Let me know if you can not see the video
VIDEO (http://v9.tinypic.com/player.swf?file=2641cfq&s=9)
I think you should be good as long as it's in the green zone most of the time. It's when it stays yellow (or red) no matter what rpm your at that you've got a problem.
Quote from: LIMagna on March 22, 2016, 06:51:35 PM
I think you should be good as long as it's in the green zone most of the time. It's when it stays yellow (or red) no matter what rpm your at that you've got a problem.
So, I guess that means you can see the video..
I could not see vldeo.
Now do I have to do a video of mine?
Why is your video squished down, looks like the ratio is off.
Hi Hootman, Terry
Thanks for sharing and upload of the video.
Think maybe tapping from the headlight will voltage drop. Maybe the best way is tapping from battery source with a switch or relay.
I'm no good with electrical so maybe for now I will stick to current way the voltmeter is connected. Knowing the difference I can at least monitor the norm of the daily battery voltage fluctuations for now. Should be able to see if one day if voltmeter display strange reading and look for rectifier or battery failure.
Quote from: Jerry G Turner on March 22, 2016, 10:47:16 PM
I could not see vldeo.
Did it look like you needed a password? Or did you need some type of player that you don't have?
Quote from: TLRam1 on March 22, 2016, 10:53:02 PM
Now do I have to do a video of mine?
Why is your video squished down, looks like the ratio is off.
The video is fine on the phone. When I finally got it to my PC, it was sideways.. I couldn't upload it directly because the forum doesn't accept .PM4's. So I uploaded it to TinyPic. I think their software realized it was sideways and rotated it, but did not change the aspect ratio for the rotation.
It's hard to tell in it's squished format, but there is a can of SeaFoam on the ground in front of the windshield..
Quote from: hootmon on March 22, 2016, 09:23:12 PM
Quote from: LIMagna on March 22, 2016, 06:51:35 PM
I think you should be good as long as it's in the green zone most of the time. It's when it stays yellow (or red) no matter what rpm your at that you've got a problem.
So, I guess that means you can see the video..
Yes, I could see it well enough to discern what was going on. I've got the Kuryakyn meter on my Magna and it will sink into the yellow from time to time at idle but always returns to one or two green when running unless the RR is starting to go. Last time that happened it was intermittent for a while (would stay yellow for a brief period even at higher rpm's but return to green eventually), then basically just stayed yellow no matter what. Shortly thereafter, I found myself stuck after taking the bike out for a short spin (no start). I think you're good :)
I'm just glad I got to see the Seafoam!!!
Hop Along