Checking the voltage 2000 VFR

Looking at the wiring harness to the rectifier, everything looks okay. I've been reading old posts trying to see if it's worth it just to replace the original or just test it. Just test it seems to be the way to go.

I am not an electrical guru so I am wondering which wires I am attempting to test. Seems like I have to test at idle and at some higher rpm.

Your advice is appreciated.

 

I did it more simple. Put the voltometer directly to battery and you should get 13.7-14.5 on all RPM and you are fine and everything is ok.
:thumbsup:

 

I read R/R effects roughly 15-18% of the bikes which means 80% are fine. I have 1998 20k with original R/R and wiring without any problems.

 

Thanks Rubo. I'll try that this weekend. The follow I bought the bike from said he never had any problem, but always brought the spare RR with him on long trips. I figured I would just trade out the old one for the new spare Honda OEM part. Maybe I'll just test it and play the 80% odds. Thanks!

 

I believe you check voltage at idle and 5k.

 

idle, 5k and turn on the high beams.

 

My experience(s)

Checking the bike on the stand, all the above is correct but I found that my RR gave warnings in advance. I have a volt meter on board and on a ride I noticed that while running the volts dropped from the normal of just over 14.5 down to 13 and back again. I wrote it off as a bad volt meter and drove on for the weekend. Next weekend the meter registered 13.7 and dropped from there; the RR was gone! I believe the SCR ( that's the device that does the voltage regulating) in the RR is made from a material that is "self-healing" that means that it can fail and short and then recover back to its original state. This can happen a few times but eventually it will fail for good. I think I observed this.

Al (aka Slug)