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79 GS550 Charging System - Reg/Rec = Low Voltage?

  • Thread starter Thread starter AOD
  • Start date Start date
A

AOD

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Okay guys...I worked on the bike a bit this afternoon, got some issues. It's a 79 GS 550, with the seperate regulator/rectifier.

Battery reads about 12.40 volts when the charger says it's charged. Not sure if this is good or not. I had to add distilled water to it last week and charge it only for an hour. I fired up the bike with the voltmeter on the battery and it drops down to about 11.80 or so when running, if I'm up to about 4000 RPM it's 12.15.

I disconnected the headlight switch as another GSR member had advised and saw no difference in the voltages. I did as the stator papers said and checked the resistance to the stator...but it seemed to be somewhat okay.

So...my question, can the regulator/rectifier cause low voltage (poor charging) problems? Or do you think it may be the battery?

Any help is appreciated,

~Adam
 
The reg/rec can,a duff one can drain the battery.However,blip the throttle with the lights on,if they brighten the system is (probably) charging.Charge the battery,leave a few days.If the starter's sluggish it's probably the battery.This is just a rough test,take it to an auto-electrician if you're worried.
 
Re: 79 GS550 Charging System - Reg/Rec = Low Voltage?

12.4 volts for a battery coming fresh off the battery charger is a dead, doomed, defunct, useless battery. You have a nice paperweight there. :-) It is not possible to check a charging system correctly with a bad battery installed. None of your outputs or readings will be correct. Replace the battery. A good, fully charged battery should read over 13 volts.
Earl


AOD said:
Okay guys...I worked on the bike a bit this afternoon, got some issues. It's a 79 GS 550, with the seperate regulator/rectifier.

Battery reads about 12.40 volts when the charger says it's charged. Not sure if this is good or not.
~Adam
Click to expand...
 
but they say 12 volts on the side! ;)

Looks like I need a maintenence free battery...i'm told Napa has them. I've had no luck with these crappy energizer batteries. :x

~Adam
 
If the battery reads over 13 volts it is overcharged. 12.4 is low should read 12.6-12.8 max. It could just be your meter?. 12.1 volts running 4k Either the stator or the reg are bad. SEE THE STATOR PAGES
 
I revived the old battery, apparently. After it sat for about 2 days with fresh distilled water, I put it back on the charger and it took a deep charger. End voltage is 13.5 or so!

I had Advance Auto load test it and they said it passed. I picked up a battery from them while I was there, becuase I don't trust this one honestly.

I'm still doubtful this will fix anything, because if the charging system was working, I should have seen SOME increase in voltage...

I have my Suzuki repair manual all read through...I'm going to check things out saturday hopefully.

~Adam
 
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