what voltage after the Rectifier??

[mgpstearns]

I got around to installing my new rectifier today do to a charging issue that has been plaguing my car for the last couple of months. In December I was driving home from work and hit a huge puddle that I couldn't see in the dark. The puddle water logged my little honda and it had to be towed home to dry out. After making sure everything was dry it started right up and runs perfect except that it won't charge now. I checked for continuity on the generator and it seemed to be fine then I looked at the Rectifier and it's pretty ugly and I wasn't getting any voltage after it so I ordered a new one. I installed it today and am only getting about 1.5 to 3 volts.  What is the generator supposed to be outputting after the Rectifier? And if it's low does it sound like the generator has issues? I replaced all the connectors from the Generator on up so I don't think its a connection issue.
Mark

[David Brink]

I should be over 12 volts before the regulator and closer to 14 volts even with a load(lights etc). Have you looked at the condition of the dynamo(alternator)�brushes. Small cover with (2) mounting screws and (2) wires? There is a complete trouble shoot in the manuals. Are you near anyone that you could borrow known good parts?

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 4:22 PM,
�
> I got around to installing my new rectifier today do to a charging issue that has been plaguing my car for the last couple of months. In December I was driving home from work and hit a huge puddle that I couldn't see in the dark. The puddle water logged my little honda and it had to be towed home to dry out. After making sure everything was dry it started right up and runs perfect except that it won't charge now. I checked for continuity on the generator and it seemed to be fine then I looked at the Rectifier and it's pretty ugly and I wasn't getting any voltage after it so I ordered a new one. I installed it today and am only getting about 1.5 to 3 volts. �What is the generator supposed to be outputting after the Rectifier? And if it's low does it sound like the generator has issues? I replaced all the connectors from the Generator on up so I don't think its a connection issue.
> Mark

[mgpstearns]

Thats my next step, im assuming that because I have some voltage that the generator is working to some point. unfortunately there isnt any one else really close to compare numbers and the car is my daily driver so I cant tear it apart and start picking it apart.

[David Brink]

Here is an online service manual. I have opened it to tune up where the trouble shoot the dynamo.
http://www.honda600coupe.com/Honda_600_ ... hap_02.pdf
You need a .pdf reader to view this. They are free on line.

On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 2:28 PM,
�
> Thats my next step, im assuming that because I have some voltage that the generator is working to some point. unfortunately there isnt any one else really close to compare numbers and the car is my daily driver so I cant tear it apart and start picking it apart.

[mgpstearns]

Ok, well I removed the brushes and they appeared to be fine. I replaced the wires going to them due to some wear on the black wire and reinstalled everything. I attempted to start the car and immediately got a puff of smoke from the regulator area. Apon closer inspection the red/white wire and the black wire that lead to the brushes had melted. There doesn't appear to be any other damage anywhere else within the regulator or wiring. Any idea what may have caused the melt down. I was very carefull to replace the wires exactly as they were originally and are connected correctly???? Man I hate electrical gremlins they are quite frustrating........

[Mark P Hatten]

Recheck all your wiring all the way up to the V. reg., some or one wire is melted/shroted together. I just went thru this myself. I also sandblasted clean my rectifier. be careful if you take it apart to clean, they are a mother bear to put back together. Mark
www.gpnwmme.com is sponsored by www.mphspecialties.com
To: 2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com From: mgpstearns@...
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:07:10 -0800 Subject: Re: [2cylinderhondas] what voltage after the Rectifier??
Ok, well I removed the brushes and they appeared to be fine. I replaced the wires going to them due to some wear on the black wire and reinstalled everything. I attempted to start the car and immediately got a puff of smoke from the regulator area. Apon closer inspection the red/white wire and the black wire that lead to the brushes had melted. There doesn't appear to be any other damage anywhere else within the regulator or wiring. Any idea what may have caused the melt down. I was very carefull to replace the wires exactly as they were originally and are connected correctly???? Man I hate electrical gremlins they are quite frustrating........

[mgpstearns]

So here's an update to my last post, I followed all wires back from the regulator to the brushes and the only wires melted were from the regulator side connector to the regulator itself. Both the re/white and black w/ yellow stripe were pretty soft. So I took the brushes out for a third time and was looking at my rewire. I noticed that on the black wire there is an O ring type spacer and that the connector I used wasn't allowing the screw to seat completely. I corrected the issue and ran the screw in all the way and wouldn't you know there's no more smoke! So I guess the screw was sticking up far enough to contact the generator housing causing a short. I also noticed that one of my brushes is definitely worn, there is a compass looking mark on the brushes and my lower brush is worn well into the compass and the upper is still a good bit of material away from it. I switched the brushes in hopes that I could at least attempt to rectify the charging issue until I get new brushes ordered and it worked. No more light and the generator is charging normally now. Guess I will be ordering one of Bruce's regulator wire replacement kits with those brushes too.....

---In 2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
Recheck all your wiring all the way up to the V. reg., some or one wire is melted/shroted together. I just went thru this myself. I also sandblasted clean my rectifier. be careful if you take it apart to clean, they are a mother bear to put back together. Mark
www.gpnwmme.com
is sponsored by
www.mphspecialties.com
To: 2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
From: mgpstearns@...
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:07:10 -0800
Subject: Re: [2cylinderhondas] what voltage after the Rectifier??
Ok, well I removed the brushes and they appeared to be fine. I replaced the wires going to them due to some wear on the black wire and reinstalled everything. I attempted to start the car and immediately got a puff of smoke from the regulator area. Apon closer inspection the red/white wire and the black wire that lead to the brushes had melted. There doesn't appear to be any other damage anywhere else within the regulator or wiring. Any idea what may have caused the melt down. I was very carefull to replace the wires exactly as they were originally and are connected correctly???? Man I hate electrical gremlins they are quite frustrating........