Cali 1400 alternator issue

[Johan]

Hi Folks,

have a problem with my cali 1400. Battery is draining. Even while riding. 40A charging circuit fuses blown twice.

For a while it keeps charging at 13.9V, then it starts draining.
Found later that a fully charged battery is empty next morning. Chased it down to the main alternator circuit, which drains 5A from the battery, even with contact off.
What are your guesses, should I replace the alternator or could it be just a defective internal voltage regulator. On older models like my Le Mans I would suspect the diode bridge, but I'm not sure if the 1400 alternator has a built-in and accessible diode bridge.

Johan

[pete roper]

What year?

[Johan]

Manufactured 2013.

[pete roper]

OK, it's probably got the shitty wiring issue. Pull the tank and look at the two spade connector to the alternator, the contacts are in a 'T' shape. Do they both have wires going to them? They shouldn't, the factory screwed up. Only the top of the 'T' should have a wire connected. If the other one is connected and the ignition left on it will bugger the alternator.

Roy or Wayne will be able to tell you immediately if it's rooted the windings or the regulator, I can't remember and I'm on holiday! If it's the reg then they are available.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=75498.msg1191906#new

Sorry about the racist BS in the thread. You get that here from time to time.

Pete

[Johan]

The alternator mod was done. Only the topbar of the T is connected.

[pete roper]

Try a new reg, won't cost much.

Pete

[Johan]

Working my way through the service manual to remove the alternator. Have to remove a plate to get to the alternator cover, but does not fit through the frame. Closer inspection of the pics in the service manual show no lower framerails installed, even though instructions fail to mention removing those rails.

Is there a trick, or do I really have to disassemble a complete cali1400 to replace an alternator, or even tension the belt?

[pete roper]

I had to do one. Don't remember much about it apart from the fact it was a royal PITA. Yes, the cover was a complete bastard, I think I ended up not removing it, just pulling it forward. That allowed me to angle the alt and extract it and then insert the new one and flip the belt back over the pulley.

Sorry, not a lot of help but rest assured it is doable without splitting the frame.

Pete

[Johan]

Done as you said Pete, still a big pain in the neck. Did not bother to replace alternatorparts. Once you have it removed and know how much work it is, just as well drop a new one in rather than misguessing and doing it all over again.

The regulator can probably be replaced by undoing the three screws that hold the alternator cover and gaining access to the regulator interior that way. In my case the diodebridge was fried.