Author Topic: Lights on ...engine dies?  (Read 3764 times)

Offline Topdad

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #15 on: 19.09. 2014 10:17 »
excellant terminology Andy and one that will probably be used reasonably often and enhance the Danish langauge !  *smile*BobH
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Offline a10 gf

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #16 on: 19.09. 2014 10:32 »
1st of all, the good thing, seemingly no problems with the (probably expensive) ignition *smile* as it reacts as expected to a low voltage.

and btw, highly recommending to have an amperemeter available > http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=2526.msg16573#msg16573. Invaluable, and inexpensive. 'V' is one thing, the 'A' is as important, the amperemeter will show the 'drainage' of any component, and check how the charging\battery is behaving.



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Offline muskrat

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #17 on: 19.09. 2014 13:05 »
G'day Andy.
Just my two bits worth. A brand new dynamo will not be putting anything into the battery at idle. So at idle it's only the battery giving power to the ignition. At idle the ignition uses more power to run than at high revs. Then add to that the head and tail light, a brand new battery would only cope for so long. I'd say your probably only doing short rides and the dynamo hasn't got time to fully charge the battery. A fully charged 6v battery should read 6.3v or more. I'd invest in one of those trickle chargers and plug her in at night.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Online RichardL

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #18 on: 19.09. 2014 13:25 »
If you have a freshly charged new battery and the engine dies if you turn on the lights right after startup, then the main problem is probably not the dynamo. I don't recall mention of the age or type of regulator you're running. If it is hanging the demand all on the dynamo while the battery is fully charged, I believe that's a problem.

Richard L.

Offline AndyDenmark

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #19 on: 19.09. 2014 18:49 »
Thanks guys I will get the regulator changed to a more up to date version and try the trickle charge as it does not do much over ten miles at a time so it may well be that the bsttery is not getting fully charged :)

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #20 on: 19.09. 2014 20:47 »
Hi Andy,
What Ampere/Hour rating is your battery?
If it is too small it will lose voltage rapidly
I would suggest at least 8AH
Possible improvements are a lower wattage headlamp bulb or LED type
HTH
John
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1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline warmshed

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #21 on: 19.09. 2014 21:43 »
What voltage does the battery go down to with the headlight and ignition on without the motor running? Take a quick test as the voltage will tend to continue to decrease.
You say the voltage rises with revs but don't give the maximum voltage when you rev.

A good battery will not read 5.9V, it should get up to 2.2 volts per cell so 6.6volts. The regulator/dynamo should be able to get to this 6.6volts Try with no lights on.

If the battery is only 5.9V then it is at a low state of charge so wont be able to hold sufficient voltage when supplying the current for the headlight.Sounding like a dynamo or regulator but without but above tests you cannot be 100% sure. It might still be a faulty battery.

Offline duTch

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #22 on: 19.09. 2014 22:50 »

 I suggest like already stated, you don't have enough voltage. If you can't ride it more, hook it to a trickle feed before lashing out unnecessarily on stuff that may not rectify it.
 
I had a similar thing with my Gutzi when I went from living in the country and had to ride at least a half hour, to stay in Melbourne for a few months.
 After a week- wouldn't start, after a couple of misdemeanors, changed headlight from 100/90W, to 60/55, and got in the habit of bump starting- which with even just a half decent battery, is sooooo easy....!
  Too many short trips, mostly at night.......
   
Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
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Online trevinoz

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #23 on: 20.09. 2014 01:46 »
I know why I like the magneto now.    *smiley4*

Trev.

Offline muskrat

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #24 on: 20.09. 2014 02:00 »
Yes Trev, I'm thinking of going back to the magie at least on the '51. Just got it out of the box (at least 10 years) and it still throws a good spark spun by hand.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
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Offline AndyDenmark

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #25 on: 20.09. 2014 08:04 »
Hi again
It was my original plan to stick with the magneto but due to costs and the timescale I went down the electronic route. The Thorspark ignition works well as the magneto was giving me lots of problems particularly when the bike was warm. Knowing what I know now I am considering getting the magneto reconditioned over the winter but as you can probably appreciate when you have gone down one road it is a bit of a pain to start all over again :). Does anyone have any recommendations for magneto recons in the U.K?

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #26 on: 20.09. 2014 08:21 »
Does anyone have any recommendations for magneto recons in the U.K?
I used this chap and am very happy with my mag:  http://www.davelindsley.co.uk/
Greybeard (Neil)
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Offline duTch

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #27 on: 20.09. 2014 08:52 »

 I also like the magneto, try Priority Magnetos, or talk to Beezamacc, on here.
Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
Australia

Offline warmshed

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #28 on: 20.09. 2014 10:45 »
If a mag starts to play up when warm its most likely the capacitor. Try a brightspark, cheaper than a mag rebuild.   http://www.brightsparkmagnetos.com/

The thorspark should work well, just because the regulator/dynamo or battery is faulty dont think a mag  is better. Just correct the fault you have, you will need to get it sorted whether you use a mag or an electronic ignition.

Online Triton Thrasher

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Re: Lights on ...engine dies?
« Reply #29 on: 20.09. 2014 12:03 »

For good value magneto repair.

T.C. MOTOR CYCLES -  Tony Cooper, 110 Olive Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8LT.  Tel: 0121 559 2405