Battery not charging, stator problems?

[pinchepunx]

So after taking my bike out on a cold Chicago day I drove 20 miles to work, then 5 hours later I drove 20 miles back and my bike died as I was pulling in the driveway. Thankful and lucky it got me home. This is a new battery and I am assuming it is just not charging while riding (I keep it on a trickle charger at home when it's not in use).

Am I correct in assuming the problem is the stator?
If I replace the stator, what is a good aftermarket brand? Or should I go OEM? (more expensive?)

Thanks!!!

JM

[John Hopkins]

charge the battery..
Set a multimeter to 25v dc..read the voltage across the charged battery.
start the engine
read the voltage across the battery expect a slight increase of voltage..
increase the revs to 4000 read the voltage across the battery
expect another slight increase

If you have all of the above the bike is charging the battery

If not disconnect the alternater to rec/reg...three yellow wires..

with the engine running set the multimeter to ac volts and measure across any two of the yellow wires, expect 20 volts ac or more

measure the other two pairs and expect the same..

If you have that the alternater is ok..

Check the plug /socket for burnt connections.

if all ok you need a new rec/reg.

John.

[ernie12b]

Originally Posted by John Hopkins

charge the battery..
Set a multimeter to 25v dc..read the voltage across the charged battery.
start the engine
read the voltage across the battery expect a slight increase of voltage..
increase the revs to 4000 read the voltage across the battery
expect another slight increase

If you have all of the above the bike is charging the battery

If not disconnect the alternater to rec/reg...three yellow wires..

with the engine running set the multimeter to ac volts and measure across any two of the yellow wires, expect 20 volts ac or more

measure the other two pairs and expect the same..

If you have that the alternater is ok..

Check the plug /socket for burnt connections.

if all ok you need a new rec/reg.

John.

i would say this is the complete answer to the question. if that all checks out the battery connections or the battery would be the problem.

[93gc40]

FWI, the alternator in the write-up is the stator.

Never ASSUME any particullar part is the cause of a problem. Especia;;y e;ectrical problems. Fact, a loose wire anywhere in the system can cause the same charging problems. Have battery LOAD tested, even NEW batteriess fail. Bad batteries, can show full voltage.

[marcham]

Because it is a new battery, I would check for loose connections first, then follow the troubleshooting mentioned above.

Did it die suddenly or did you notice the headlight gradually dimming? What is the battery voltage now (ie: before charging it?).

Will the bike start after putting the battery on a charger for 8 hrs (1 Amp or less) ?

[BullockD]

Originally Posted by John Hopkins

charge the battery..
Set a multimeter to 25v dc..read the voltage across the charged battery.
start the engine
read the voltage across the battery expect a slight increase of voltage..
increase the revs to 4000 read the voltage across the battery
expect another slight increase

If you have all of the above the bike is charging the battery

If not disconnect the alternater to rec/reg...three yellow wires..

with the engine running set the multimeter to ac volts and measure across any two of the yellow wires, expect 20 volts ac or more ...

I hate to ask a stupid question but here goes.
I gather from John's reply above that the engine will generate AC current which is then converted to DC, correct?
His use of the term 'rec/reg' refers to either a rec (I don't know what this is) or a regulator, correct?
Is there a distributor on a motorcycle?
How is grounding accomplished - to the frame?
Sorry for being so pedantic.

[marcham]

Originally Posted by BullockD

His use of the term 'rec/reg' refers to either a rec (I don't know what this is)

rectifier / regulator

Is there a distributor on a motorcycle?

Distributors were eliminated a long long time ago.

[John Hopkins]

Originally Posted by BullockD

I hate to ask a stupid question but here goes.
I gather from John's reply above that the engine will generate AC current which is then converted to DC, correct?
His use of the term 'rec/reg' refers to either a rec (I don't know what this is) or a regulator, correct?
Is there a distributor on a motorcycle?
How is grounding accomplished - to the frame?
Sorry for being so pedantic.

In see that you haven't bought a service manual yet..that is something you need...

A reg / rec is a single unit that rectifies the voltage changing it from ac to dc and the regulates it to stop charging at 14.8v so that it won't damage lights etc..just follow the instructions on my earlier post, you really don't need to know anything else..

A digital multimeter should cost less than $10.

John.