1992 bandit 400 not charging.

[andylad]

The multimeter reads about 11.2V when the bike is running.  I figured the regulator was dead, got a replacement used one and I get the same reading.  What are the odds that the generator is shot?

[Chris H]

You can check the genny but putting the tester to ac volts and connecting any two of the yellow wires to the tester- you should get at least 70V ac at 5000rpm. The gennies rarely give up so id say 99% the new reg/rec is duff.
The standard suzi shunt reg/rec is pants and not worth the ally used to make it, the best thing you can do with them is convert to the 2008 cbr6 f008 unit. Google SV650 reg/rec mod and you will see the same problem with the SV guys- same unit.
I had 4 go in 2 weeks until i fitted the cbr unit, now its 14.3v no matter wot! best mod you can ever do.

[andylad]

Thanks for that info!  I had read about fitting a CBR400 unit but its good to know there are different ways of doing it.  Thanks a lot!

[andylad]

Also what's kind of weird, is that when I unplug the 4 yellow wire connector, the bike revs us a little.  What does that mean?

[tomx611]

i got same problem as my battery failure, before i installed new battery, it's only 11.4V when engine running. the 3 alternator wire w/o connnect the R/R is more than 70VAC. and then i do a test which turn on the ignitor switch, haven't start the engine, and the voltmeter show it start from 12.96V drop to 10.43V within 5 sec. then i try to install a new battery and fixed it.

there's a good link which go for diagnostics the charging system.
http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-triple-forum/104504-charging-system-diagnostics-rectifier-regulator-upgrade.html

[andylad]

Ok, I tested the stator and i'm getting 24-25ACV at idle and approx 80ACV at 5kRPM.  Thats about as far as I read now i'm going to see how to test the regulator.  I know the battery is shot and after a charge drops in the 11V range so I will buy a battery before proceeding.

[andylad]

I lied.  I tested both regulators based on the manual.  Both regulators are showing nothing for resistance where they are supposed to show 3.5ohms ish.  The reading that I'm getting is as if the meter isn't hooked up to anything.  So I'm assuming that's an infinate resistance, does that sound right?

[Chris H]

Hi, the AC volts is correct.
The problem with using the book to test the reg/rec is that the readings are for the Suzi tester- there are caps and diodes in the unit that will give different readings on diff meters.
I'd say iy you aint got 13/15 volts across the battry then the reg/rec is duff.
They are not of very high quality- the 2008 cbr ones are of a different type and do not work on the excess voltage being lost as heat.

[andylad]

I tested the regulators with a junk multimeter, tonight I brought home my fluke to test it with again.  Ill be going to the dealership tomorrow to pick up a regulator from a GS500 and test it with my meter before I buy it.  Also I got a new battery tonight.

[andylad]

Good to go now.  New battery and new gs500 regulator with the wiring mod of going straight to the battery with the positive one fused with a 30 amp.  Getting 14.6 at idle.  Thanks for all your help, and I'll be posting about my throttle problems next.

[Chris H]

   nice to hear its good.