electric issues =( By bcgreatness (Read 1,937 times)

[Bashan]

Dec 28, 2011 19:44:48 GMT -6 bcgreatness said:

So is it safe to assume everybody is leaning towards the rectifier/regulator? I'm on a limited income.

[/b][/quote]
Yes, I'd say we're leaning towards that. IMO however you could waste more money guessing at the most likely culprits instead of getting a multimeter. Harbor Freight has one for $10.00 but you have to pay shipping. I found one at Wal-Mart for $12.00 and I figured you have close access to Wally World like everybody else in America. Here's a picture of it with a click on image link:

It appears to have the couple functions you would need which are volt measurement and continuity. I couldn't zoom in close enough to make sure it had continuity but if it doesn't you can use the resistance check for that. With those functions we can determine:
1. The DC voltage at your battery
2. Whether your headlight is AC or DC which would tell us what kind of rectifier you have and some about your wiring configuration.
3. Then test the rectifier for voltage values
4. Check voltage values from your stator that go the the rectifier.
5. The continuity of any suspicious wires

After that you wouldn't be guessing and not waste money on parts you don't need. I've been in tight financial spots in my life so I can relate to your situation. I'm just saying don't waste money guessing, and a multimeter is something you can use forever. JMO, Rich

[jct842]

you could have bought a real nice meter with what was spent on the battery, and by the way you keep calling them 6 pound and 9 pound.....are you sure they are rated in pounds, most are rated amp/hours. A good meter can help you diagnose electrical problems for the rest of your life, in the house, the car, boat, and on a scooter. the chinese fuses can look good yet be bad, they need to be tested to be sure it is good. john

[jct842]

I would venture to guess there are very few used china scooters that ever hit the market that have not been modified and even fewer that have the mods documented on paper. even used jap scooters suffer from this, I just spent a ton of time chasing a wiring error on a 28 year old riva. I never did find where the previous owner screwed the wiring up/ I was not going to completely tear it down so I just added one more wire and unplugged the saftey relay going to the starter solenoid. when you are 69 years old and even your hair hurts there are some things you just don't do!

unless there is a huge difference in price between used and new I would always go new. There are not that many used scooters in my area ever advertised as for sale and when they do come up they are usually priced higher than a new one so any one who should pay that surely does not have a computer.

as far as not knowing to use a multimeter now is the time to learn if you don't know. a multimeter will pay for it self many many times over in the course of several years. if you are not willing to do your own work on a china scooter you will be better served paying through the nose to get a jap scooter serviced at your local dealership. I could name a dozen or so "newbys" who on this and other forums who have probably spent 20 times the cost of a meter just swapping parts until it ran. as far as batteries go, walmart and all of the auto parts stores and most farm stores all have battery checkers. most will take the time to check your battery for nothing. john

[sprocket]

I suspect all this is related to unplugging the alarm...and the owner needs to follow Alley's directions

or

simply plug the alarm back in and see what difference it makes...the problem may go away...

[Alleyoop]

Dec 30, 2011 16:08:33 GMT -6 sprocket said:

I suspect all this is related to unplugging the alarm...and the owner needs to follow Alley's directions

or

simply plug the alarm back in and see what difference it makes...the problem may go away...

Hey Sprocket, I stole the RE-WIREING of the ALARM from you give credit where credit is due. ;D

As for the rest of it I am the first to tell you I know just enough on electrics to get by. But they are pretty simple only a few parts that could go bad causeing electrical problems. All you have to do is have a little sense about it.
If you turn the KEY to ON and lights, instruments and whatever comes on then you know THOSE things are straight being feed straight from the battery. If the crap only works when the Motor is running then you pretty much know those parts are running off the electricity that the STATOR is produceing(I THINK..HEHE).
Alley

Alley