Alternator check on the Vert ???

[dsrdave]

The '81 Vert does not seem to be putting out enough current to keep the battery fully charged.  If I insulated the carbon brushes from the slip rings what is the value I should see on the ohm meter when checking continuity across the slip rings ??  Thx, Dave.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Finally -- can you give us actual voltage values key off/key on/idle/3000rpm?

It might be interesting to measure the Voltage across the brushes as well as the battery Voltage. I found the similar alternator on my Cali II was losing several Volts between the brushes and slip rings, touching the rigs with emery improved the situation quite a bit. The rings seemed to have some sort of film on that was causing too much Voltage drop. A nice black finish is optimal.
At 3,000 revs and a half charged battery you should see about 10 Volts between brushes.

[dsrdave]

Thanks Dave.  The kinda works really sums it up.  Everything SEEMS to be in good order.  I'll double check the grounds/connections/rectumfrier.  Thx, Dave.

[chuck peterson]

There is a replacement wiring loom for the alternator...I gained back quite a bit of voltage replacing the 35 year old heat hardened wiring at the alt...brushes didn't look worn out, but the springs couldn't push the brushes any further, so new brushes solved that...later found a loose wire solder to the brush...later a diode board....than a rectrumfrier...help ed to run a second ground from the diode board ground to an engine mounting stud...and an adjustable voltage regulator...never knew I could learn so much about electricity...

All on the suggestion from Guzziology

[chuck peterson]

The whole other angle is to reduce your electrical load as much as possible, and for the Vert I kept mine spinning at higher Rpms by using low range for everything but hi way...lo range is good to 80, and because of the "gearing", you can't reach redline

I was getting 14.5 volts across the terminals max with the headlight out

[dsrdave]

I got all the electrical terminals cleaned and I'm getting 13.6-13.7 V at 3000 rpm or so.  I'd like to a bit higher voltage....  I did replace bulbs with led's and put  a truck lite led hlp  in.  Thx, RK  I really like the hlp assy.  So, when the weather gets a bit warmer I'll see if the battery remains fully charged.  Thx for the input guys.

[Charles in Lake Charles]

On my mighty Vert, I got an adjustable voltage regulator. http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/vr-extadj.htm

[mtiberio]

never measure through the brushes, always directly to the slip rings. Even once the brushes are bedded.