Compufire

[mustangflyr]

Compufire

Well ?#%$^!, now that's out of the way it seems there's a problem. After the install all well, volts right on the money per Stator Papers at 2500 (13.5+) and 5000 (14.4) rpm. Got back from a ride hooked up the meter and now we have mid 12's to just over 13 volts. Checked connectors, battery satisfied with B.Tender, ran through the checks again and volts are ok. This time I hooked up a multimeter to the battery and rode around, readings per spec then after a couple of miles the volts drop again, Also the regulator is toasty to the touch. Could the Compufire be defective? Any ideas? Thanks

[posplayr]

Well ?#%$^!, now that's out of the way it seems there's a problem. After the install all well, volts right on the money per Stator Papers at 2500 (13.5+) and 5000 (14.4) rpm. Got back from a ride hooked up the meter and now we have mid 12's to just over 13 volts. Checked connectors, battery satisfied with B.Tender, ran through the checks again and volts are ok. This time I hooked up a multimeter to the battery and rode around, readings per spec then after a couple of miles the volts drop again, Also the regulator is toasty to the touch. Could the Compufire be defective? Any ideas? Thanks

The CF should not be so hot as to cause pain, maybe 110 degF. You should be able to hold your hand on the case and not feel so much heat you have to remove your hand.


If it is real hot it is sounding like it might be defective or failed prematurely. What does the Quick Test say? (see link in my signature)

[mustangflyr]

Cf

Thank you for the advice I'm going to delve into tomorrow one step at a time following your procedure. One way or another I'll fix it.

[mustangflyr]

Compufire

Well ?#%$^!, now that's out of the way it seems there's a problem. After the install all well, volts right on the money per Stator Papers at 2500 (13.5+) and 5000 (14.4) rpm. Got back from a ride hooked up the meter and now we have mid 12's to just over 13 volts. Checked connectors, battery satisfied with B.Tender, ran through the checks again and volts are ok. This time I hooked up a multimeter to the battery and rode around, readings per spec then after a couple of miles the volts drop again, Also the regulator is toasty to the touch. Could the Compufire be defective? Any ideas? Thanks

It seems the problem continues, stator checks out, battery voltage fine, checked connections all crimped and soldered, and ran all tests again. When running up to a couple of miles distance voltage readings easily in spec, then it drops back down about 1.5 -2 volts. Is this normal in a compufire? If the batteries satisfied should it continue to read 13.5 at 2500 rpm and 14.8- at 5000 rpm or the 12.7 I'm getting? At this point I'm going to return the Compufire as defective and try a new one. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[posplayr]

It seems the problem continues, stator checks out, battery voltage fine, checked connections all crimped and soldered, and ran all tests again. When running up to a couple of miles distance voltage readings easily in spec, then it drops back down about 1.5 -2 volts. Is this normal in a compufire? If the batteries satisfied should it continue to read 13.5 at 2500 rpm and 14.8- at 5000 rpm or the 12.7 I'm getting? At this point I'm going to return the Compufire as defective and try a new one. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Without know what the results of the Quick test it is hard to determine if the bike is charging.

It is possible everything is fine, measurve teh voltages in seach step and report back

[mustangflyr]

Without know what the results of the Quick test it is hard to determine if the bike is charging.

It is possible everything is fine, measurve teh voltages in seach step and report back

Did the quick test and voltages were right in the money, took it out on the street and still ok. Got home shut down watched the dmm ( hooked to the battery) started it up and the volts were down a full volt. Back out on the road volts back to spec. OK, interesting one thought how hot does that r/r supposed to get to the touch? Cool, warmish, warm, or hot like this one? After the Stator Papers tests the stator checks fine, etc. I believe this one is kaput and back it goes. ?!?!

[posplayr]

Did the quick test and voltages were right in the money, took it out on the street and still ok. Got home shut down watched the dmm ( hooked to the battery) started it up and the volts were down a full volt. Back out on the road volts back to spec. OK, interesting one thought how hot does that r/r supposed to get to the touch? Cool, warmish, warm, or hot like this one? After the Stator Papers tests the stator checks fine, etc. I believe this one is kaput and back it goes. ?!?!

That is not a charging problem, more like a short or a bad battery. Of course I'm relying on your assessment of the results as you still have not posted them.

You should be able to hold your hand on the R/R and not hurt. Mien is generally not over 100 degF

If you are passing the quick test the R/R and stator are not the problem

[mustangflyr]

That is not a charging problem, more like a short or a bad battery. Of course I'm relying on your assessment of the results as you still have not posted them.

You should be able to hold your hand on the R/R and not hurt. Mien is generally not over 100 degF

If you are passing the quick test the R/R and stator are not the problem

Alrighty here's some results and thanks for the help.

1 key off- 12.8
2 key on- 12.1
3 at idle- 13.3 when the issue arose this this dropped to 12.4
4 at 2500- 14.1 " " " " " " " " 12.8
5 at 5000- 14.4 " " " " " " " " 13.1
6 key off- 13.1
overnight- 12.8
The r/r was warmer than the old Honda unit that was on it. After the low readings the engine was shut off and after restart the readings went back up. Have returned the r/r and ordered a new one.

[posplayr]

Alrighty here's some results and thanks for the help.

1 key off- 12.8
2 key on- 12.1
3 at idle- 13.3 when the issue arose this this dropped to 12.4
4 at 2500- 14.1 " " " " " " " " 12.8
5 at 5000- 14.4 " " " " " " " " 13.1
6 key off- 13.1
overnight- 12.8
The r/r was warmer than the old Honda unit that was on it. After the low readings the engine was shut off and after restart the readings went back up. Have returned the r/r and ordered a new one.

I'm assuming the voltage started to drop when you held the RPM in steps 4 and 5. That is not right as you have correctly determined. The system is clearly charging, and the battery seems fine with the drop between steps 1 and 2.

If they will swap out the R/R for you then that will be cheaper and less hassle that changing the stator. It could still be the stator though, however the fact that it is hotter than the Honda does suggest a R/R defect though. Good Job.

[mustangflyr]

I'm assuming the voltage started to drop when you held the RPM in steps 4 and 5. That is not right as you have correctly determined. The system is clearly charging, and the battery seems fine with the drop between steps 1 and 2.

If they will swap out the R/R for you then that will be cheaper and less hassle that changing the stator. It could still be the stator though, however the fact that it is hotter than the Honda does suggest a R/R defect though. Good Job.

The new Compufire regulator arrived and I installed it today. Bought off of the internet the male terminals for the CF connector. Results so far no test ride ( FL thunderstorms ) but in the garage are:
Quick Test Steps 1-12.9v, 2-12.1v, 3-13.2v, 4-14.3v, 5-14.3v, and 6-13.0 so it will do fine until a test ride tomorrow. Thanks posplayr and all others.

[posplayr]

The new Compufire regulator arrived and I installed it today. Bought off of the internet the male terminals for the CF connector. Results so far no test ride ( FL thunderstorms ) but in the garage are:
Quick Test Steps 1-12.9v, 2-12.1v, 3-13.2v, 4-14.3v, 5-14.3v, and 6-13.0 so it will do fine until a test ride tomorrow. Thanks posplayr and all others.

Those numbers look good. Is the Compufire cooler?

[mustangflyr]

Cf

Those numbers look good. Is the Compufire cooler?

Up to his point yes, it started off warm (just) to the touch but it cooled down with running. Connections are staying cool also, stay tuned till after a ride.

[mustangflyr]

Compufire update

Finally got to try a ride and found voltages on the nose, then the same drop in juice. Found when the headlight is on the voltage drops when off they're perfect again. The headlight has an isolated, relayed, and switched circuit. Got some new components from Eager Beaver so I'll redo that and test again. Sheesh stay tuned.

[mustangflyr]

Compufire latest episode

Finally got to try a ride and found voltages on the nose, then the same drop in juice. Found when the headlight is on the voltage drops when off they're perfect again. The headlight has an isolated, relayed, and switched circuit. Got some new components from Eager Beaver so I'll redo that and test again. Sheesh stay tuned.

Well completely isolated the headlight circuit with the EB relays and new harness good there. But the voltage issue remains. Upon following the quick test all well in spec for a short ride around the neighborhood then we're back to the previously mentioned voltage loss. It shows about 12.8 to 13.2 between 2500 to 5000 rpm and the regulator still is real warm to touch, no way to measure this. Also the inline main fuse 15a holder gets hot very similar feel as the r/r, passing a lot of current there? he fuse does not blow. Open to further suggestions, please. Thanks.

[posplayr]

Well completely isolated the headlight circuit with the EB relays and new harness good there. But the voltage issue remains. Upon following the quick test all well in spec for a short ride around the neighborhood then we're back to the previously mentioned voltage loss. It shows about 12.8 to 13.2 between 2500 to 5000 rpm and the regulator still is real warm to touch, no way to measure this. Also the inline main fuse 15a holder gets hot very similar feel as the r/r, passing a lot of current there? he fuse does not blow. Open to further suggestions, please. Thanks.

13.2V is too low at 5000 rpm

Are you still getting the same results as you mentioned before?

Alrighty here's some results and thanks for the help.

1 key off- 12.8
2 key on- 12.1
3 at idle- 13.3 when the issue arose this this dropped to 12.4
4 at 2500- 14.1 " " " " " " " " 12.8
5 at 5000- 14.4 " " " " " " " " 13.1
6 key off- 13.1
overnight- 12.8
The r/r was warmer than the old Honda unit that was on it. After the low readings the engine was shut off and after restart the readings went back up. Have returned the r/r and ordered a new one.

If so, you are probably looking at a new stator. It is sounding like the stator is changing as it heats up due to opens or shorts in the insulation.

The only other thing is to measure the voltage drops as in the revised stator pages. If they are high then fix those connectors. If they are low then likely the stator.