Author Topic: Charging...again? (Read 6378 times)

crazyhorse · « **on:** September 04, 2016, 20:08:11 »

Hi

Travelling home last Sat from west Wales, and after a couple of hours in that terrible rain, the charge indicator on my 2012 DL650 L2 (with 58k miles on the clock) flickered red, away from its usual pulsing green.
Thinking I was seeing things, I kept a very close eye on it, and sure enough it went pulsing red..it was discharging!

Now I was running my heated vest, as I was getting cold with the rain, so I switched it off, and the LED went back to its green state. Strange I thought.
I gave it 20 minutes as I was starting to shiver, and switched the vest back on again...the LED stayed green for about 10 minutes and then went to red.
Switched off the vest and pulled over in a layby, and pulled both front headlamp connectors to save power.

I still had a least 4 hours riding to get home, so was a little concerned, especially in that rain.

But I made it home with the heated vest running at a lowish setting, and the rain stopped about 10 miles from my front door!!!

Today I have been testing the stator and first checked continuity between terminals and all three were 0.4 ohms.
Then individually to ground/earth and all three read infinity.
Now the load test, which showed an excess of 68vac on two, but the third only got as far as 3vac, all @ 5k revs.

So it looks as though I have a defective stator.

Besides the standard item from Suzuki, are there any alternatives?

All the best.
Crazyhorse

Gassoon · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2016, 20:42:55 »

Greywolf has a ton of knowledge on the subject, but this might get you started ...http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,20426.0.html

kwackboy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2016, 21:24:30 »

There are aftermarket stators out there (electrex and West Country windings) but in my opinion OEM is the best option.
It seems stators are becoming a consumable item on bikes these days as they last nowhere near the amount of time they used to .
Although I have no proof just experience I'm pretty sure changing oil more regularly than suggested by the manufacturer some how helps prolong stator life .

greywolf · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2016, 21:26:39 »

There are aftermarket stators and places that do rewinds, but they're reported to be less reliable than OEM.

crazyhorse · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2016, 22:16:00 »

Hi

Thanks for the info, and I will be after a OEM set of windings in the morning.
Also, thinking of changing the Reg/Rec to a series type to make life easier for the new windings.

Any, suggestions as to which is the best after market Reg/Rec, and is available in the UK?

Cheers
Crazyhorse

greywolf · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2016, 02:03:21 »

I have yet to hear of a problem with any series R/R though the Compufire and SH847 have higher capacities. I'm too far removed to know about local sources.

crazyhorse · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2016, 12:23:27 »

Hi

Thanks Greywolf.

My next question is, is the Reg/Rec from the Veek (part number 32800-31J00) a series unit, and if so would it be an upgrade for the Glee?

Cheers
Crazyhorse

greywolf · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2016, 12:40:09 »

Yes. It is the SH847. It isn't plug and play for other models though. You'll need connectors for it such as http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/R-R_Connectors/r-r_connectors.html

My preference is to get the R/R AC connectors with bare ends to crimp and solder for the three yellow or black wires depending on which color was used on the bike. Then run the red and black DC wires to the battery with a 30A circuit breaker on the red lead near the battery. You can get the connectors to plug into the stock ones but that's just more opportunity for corrosion IMHO.

crazyhorse · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2016, 14:22:24 »

Hi

Thanks again Greywolf...trying to locate an 847 in the UK.

Cheers
Crazyhorse

crazyhorse · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2016, 16:52:29 »

Hi

Having a little trouble locating a Shindengen SH847 in the UK, at a reasonable cost, and came across a Compufire 55402, but cannot find any information on its physical size (length/width and thickness).

Anybody out there know, as the Compufire website does not show these sizes.

Cheers
Crazyhorse

greywolf · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2016, 18:01:08 »

This will give you some idea. Amazon says 3 x 3 x 0.2 inches but that can't include the heat sink.

crazyhorse · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2016, 17:20:06 »

Hi

Thanks again Greywolf, and I did see that on the spec sheet under the Amazon umbrella, but just could not reconcile those dimensions, so asked the question above.

Since then I have located a Shindengen SH847 in the UK, at a reasonable price. It will be a little bit of a struggle to fit, but should be fun, but need to source the connectors separately.

So that's my job for tomorrow, as the coils have been ordered, with the associated gasket, and I'm waiting on those.

Cheers
Crazyhorse

Ianmc · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2016, 18:25:16 »

Any chance of posting a link to the R/R supplier?

Robotstar5 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2016, 21:06:12 »

Quote removed

Could you post a link please?, I could only find a universal fit SH775 from Germany... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/I.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4712.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=361680854604&_sacat=0

markrob · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2016, 22:56:56 »

Have you managed to find the cause of the problem & fix it?

As I am having the exact same fault, no charging, tested the RR & the alternator but still not charging, beginning to lose hope.

Cheers

greywolf · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2016, 00:53:31 »

The stator is the usual culprit. How did you test it?

Hugh Mungus · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2016, 04:25:51 »

I check the voltage at the battery with the engine revs at about 2,000 rpm.
A rough guide is... Low voltage the Stator is suspect. High voltage the Regulator is suspect.
I usually find with Suzuki's that the Stator is the problem.

If the battery is going flat after not using your bike for a couple of days then check for a voltage drain. I had a dodgy regulator (on a different make/model) and it was draining at 0.1 Amps. This is enough to drain a bike battery in two days. New regulator solved the problem.

V-Strom3 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2016, 07:20:37 »

There is a guide already on here that may help

http://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=25803.msg256941#msg256941

crazyhorse · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2016, 10:56:32 »

Hi

IanMC, sorry for the delay in replying, but had to tend to family problems.
Whilst away the Reg/Rec arrived, and I found its not a genuine Shindengen item, so its gone back to the seller.
I find that you have to send off to Japan or the states for it, as there does not seem to be a European dealer.

MarKrop...The 'Load Test' as stated in the service manual proved to me that one of the coils has broken down and I am still awaiting the new coils from my dealer, expensive at £264.00 but hopefully with the Shindengen R/R, it might last longer. I know its a gamble but that's life!
I will see if the old coils can be rewound after its all back together and running OK.

Cheers
Crazyhorse

crazyhorse · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2016, 17:13:01 »

Hi

I collected the new coils and gasket this afternoon, and fitted them as soon as I got home.
After remembering to put new engine oil in, the bike started up fine and showed 14.06v on a tickover of 1300 revs.
Increasing revs to a steady 3k the reading was rock steady at 14.14v.

So problem solved, and tomorrow I can spend some time putting all back together in a relaxed manner.

I am still thinking of putting a series reg/rec on, but that will have to wait a couple of weeks.
Either a Shindengen or a Compufire, will decide at that time.

Cheers
Crazyhorse