The Anatomy Of A Motorcycle Battery Charging System

[@philipatkinson6036]

I concur. Great to find a bloke who knows what he's talking about and is willing to share it in the patient way you did. You don't have to apologise for complexity and if waffling is adding context and detail than it's allowed too. Great work. Interesting way of starting a fire.

[@sohpol]

Finally! Someone who point out that, you can only check diodes in R/R, not the regulation circuit. It seems that the whole world is missing that.

[@rosscomilburn6028]

You sir are an absolute genius. I have a six-month old Harley that has gone through three regulators. After watching your video I'm positive it's the stator/generator that is stuffed. They "The Technicians" keep saying it's a bad batch of regulators, and the only way this could be the case, is if the diodes were stuffed in all three regulators? I don't think so. Which leads me to conclude that it's the stator/generator. Oh and by the way there's nothing wrong with waffling 👍👍👍.

[@tfm1449]

I feel I have a good basic understanding of electrical systems. I have always been reluctant to invest in an oscilloscope, but since watching your video, I see the importance of using one. Thank you James for being patient, and thorough.

[@geoffh4578]

I have to add also this is the best guide I have seen from someone who actually knows exactly what they are talking about - well done sir

[@kennethwilliambaker9211]

For flip sakes, been hunting so long for someone with skill at explaining in detail what goes on in my bike. Thanks for your effort and help, much appreciated.

[@stevencurtis-rich4178]

That is the best how to I have seen or read to fully diagnose a charging system fault!!! Thanks!!

[@dherbert2001able]

Fantastic video tutorial.... Could not believe it was 1hr plus video.... I've gained confidence in tackling more complex electrical work, very informative, thank you.

[@stevenrapa4014]

I know its an old vid, but this was awesome! Thanks for all the time you put in setting up camera and explaining and editing 👌

[@robertvandertuin5308]

Outstanding instructional detail, thank you for showing how to performs the ohms check on the faulty generator wires, many only perform the rewind.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

You explained it perfectly! The asw. u did in upper r corner would be 2 switches on some bikes, an engine run sw. when on it sends juice to the ignition system points condenser coils etc and to one side of the starter sw.

[@hsynbrdk]

This is by far the most helpful video I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you James. I knew absolutely nothing about the electrical systems of a bike before this video, and now I feel that I get the whole idea about what's going on in there. You're genius. Hope we could have such educated and knows-what-he-does-exactly type mechanics like you around here too. Such a great misfortune.. I'll be digging your other videos. Thanks again..

[@lucasirwin2010]

Great video mate. Some might say it’s a bit long, but that’s because people have no patience. If they watched it attentively there are a number of tips and tricks to pick up on - even for the experienced home tinkerer. Keep doing what you’re doing, including the “waffling” because some of us want more comprehensive explanations. Let the vacant headed watch the quick videos and fix their bike without understanding what they’ve done! Cheers for your efforts.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks for the kind words :)

[@dannykimble7671]

Nice video thanks, I remember having a 1980s Suzuki & book said should get 80v off each phase when reved up, seemed a bit high to me. Well done.

[@John-mb7yl]

So great and fantastic and practical the video! Spreads powerful confidence to riders and mechanics. Really kindhearted to really want to share all your knowledge! Great teacher! Learnt so much in depth from you! Observations: 1. It is not safe to have a tea cup next to your workspace full of metal bits and drinking it. 2. The waffling is just your very cute way of thinking aloud but viewers can just speed it up at 1.5x speed and the viewer will find the video very watchable. All in all, I like best the oscilloscope and seeing the AC wave forms and the differences in a weak amplification denoting a bad part. Well-done!!!!

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks for your kind words 🙏

[@paul.vanhout57]

Outstanding lesson on overall charging theory and troubleshooting👍.

[@bessiem.thomas4727]

Thank you! You helped me fix my no charging problem!

[@MrHeymus]

Thanks for easy and straight forward video. I’ll double check connection to battery BEFORE pulling apart :)

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Some bike starters have a heavier solenoid that does what the solenoid does AND also pushes the pinion gear on the starter shaft out to mesh with the ring gear on the clutch basket. You are making a lot of sense, you are doing a fine job, the stator is a core built up of much thinner pieces of iron separated by electrical varnish coils wound on bobbins. if the core were 1 piece of metal magnetic field passing through it and would heat it... You are doing a fine job SuperBike Surgery. the 3 phases are 120 degrees apart. I bet you specialize in bike electrics. Harley Sportsters use a single phase but the DYNA series does use as you said a 3-phase stator w 3 leads. Ride safe my friend.

[@deepusugathan1]

I am not much familiar with electricals but your video was so informative and well explained, I understood the whole concept. Thank you for making such an awesome video.

[@pauldowding8185]

Great job, glad that you explained the different symptoms of regulator and alternator failings.

[@g.w.3816]

Just started motorcycle technician course and I find the electrical side of things so interesting that I’m leaning towards becoming a auto electrician. This is a really interesting watch and a well put together video 👍 I will also subscribe 😊

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks for your kind words mate 👍If you're serious about educating yourself with regards to all things electrical, the single best thing you can do in my opinion is watch everything from "Scanner Danner" (Paul Danner) the guy is a living legend in the automotive electrical world. I've absolutely no affiliation personally but highly recommend. You can also subscribe to his premium content and get access to all his collage lectures. He also has a book alongside the course he teaches. Good luck 👍

[@RickyEllisIreland]

Excellent review of this whole area, there are so many videos that don’t cover the technical side, usually because the host is waffling about things they only have surface knowledge of... I dont think you waffle at all.. you provide good solid information. Don’t be put off by idiots who want you to just vomit up what they want and who don’t have the patience to watch and be educated. Top class

[@untonyto]

Excellent video thank you. the waffling helps as well

[@pedroblom3684]

Excellent video!. Thank you so much. Im taking my multimeter out to the bike right now!

[@tassosabas7242]

Excellent video. My battery swelled before failure so this was helpful

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Great JOB, glad u said how coils could be grounded, I have seen that two coils making a contact with the core WILL burn out the windings. And if coils overheat they may not make contact with the core, but heat up enough to burn off the insulation and thus lessening the number of turns in the coil, and reducing the amount of voltage built up in that coil. The size of the wire determines how much current the coil can produce and it determines the amount of turns as well, So if the coil is wound with 12 gage wire which could be good for 20 amps it would be a given number of turns in that coil. volts X amps gives power. So if the coil/ coils overheated, you can get the same amps but lesser volts will give you a lesser amount of power. I have found a bad cell in the battery can burn out a stator/generator as the regulator will keep telling the gen the battery is low, but the battery being bad will still crank the starter at 10 volts and the gen will toast itself trying to bring up a battery to 12 volts, but since the battery is bad the gen will get wankered somewhere down the road.

[@bandogbone3265]

Excellent! You are skilled and competent; no need to be apologetic. "Smoother" KZbinrs are more scripted and rehearsed and do much more editing, but I don't mind the slow pace of your lengthy vid -- it was relaxing, and you presented at a speed which I could comprehend, without needing to pause and replay parts of it.

[@henryhyam5148]

Not waffle at all. Very instructive. Similar to what happened to my Street Triple, only it was the Reg/Rec and I was lucky it didn't fry the alternator. Thank you.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

Hello Superbike Surgery Ltd, If u happen to get a Harley in the shop, A.C. voltage should be between 19 and 26 per 1,000 rpm. so at 2,000 you could have 38 to 52 volts. Resistance being between .2 to .4 ohms as said in the HD service manual.

[@danielww9022]

Wow. I'm bran new at all things motorcycle electronics, and I'm dealing with the symptoms of flat battery. In researching the possible problems, I found your video. I'm so glad that I watched this one first. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this. You did a really great job, despite your humble self-doubt. I intend to watch this again before I tackle my bike, but I already feel much more confident. Thank you again.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks so much, those are very kind words. I get most of my inspiration from comments like this. thank you :)

[@12000timadams]

What a fantastic video. I've been riding for years and always wondered about this as had heard about rr's, windings and generators but never knew the setup. Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise.

[@tomvanderveen626]

This is a very very helpfull video. Thank you so much! You're not just say what you do, but also WHY you do it. In detail. Excellent!

[@ianritchie6642]

Jim I already new this stuff, but still enjoyed your video, and brilliant explanation

[@heikkikortelainen3386]

Very good tutorial, thank you. The graphic waveform of AC when idling vs. higher revs frequency and amplitude is so informative.

[@CharlesCarabott]

This is the best ever electrical charging system video ever made. I actually understand exactly how it works now after watching the video Better then evening class. Thank you James Wright-Roberts and please make more videos

[@BazzaB1971]

great to see you posting again Jim, along with yourself and Delboy I've learnt so much and saved loads of money, cheers.

[@yelnatscoruba8602]

fantastic video...thanks...technicaly the device discussed is an alternator....ie produces ac.....generators produce dc.

[@NomHeads]

i think i just found my favorite channel 🙌

[@Andropolies]

Fantastic Video REALLY HRLPRD me understand. I have a Honda cbr 600 ft 1996 with timefelt charging issues and just got worse. NEEDED to understand MORE you did it like a TEACHER Thankyou Verymuch

[@philmcvan3951]

Best explanation have seen on this subject. Thanks very much for taking the time to share your obvious experience. fab

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Kind words, thanks for the positivity 👍

[@Outofhere360]

I watched that whole video. Thanks for that education. I am about to wire up a 76 harley and although I'm pretty good with wrenching, I was a little intimidated with this part. Now I am at least confident enough to try. Really well explained. 👍👍👍

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thank-you :)

[@alstone5257]

Great video, now I need a basic lays out the wiring from battery to all other components in the order they go, in a easy to read, Drawing. although what I just saw helped a great bit. THANKS for posting.

[@flyingspeedtriple]

Thanks for your time and effort to explain this subject - great help. Cheers

[@aumike66]

Nice video, thank you for making it. As for the theory bits, it is not only useful for those who don't know anything about this, because for one thing, a little refresher never hurts, and for another, it is interesting to see how someone goes about explaining magnetic fields and stuff. Kudos for overcoming your reluctance to get into it. For me, however, the most interesting was to watch someone both knowledgeable and experienced to solve the real life problem. Thank you again with hopes for more vids like this to come.

[@jaikrish50]

Superb ,clearly clarify my doubt very nice .

[@laughingdog1125]

great stuff really helps me understand my motorbike better

[@neoanderson4840]

Thanks for the efforts to make this tutorial 🤗

[@rajeshpuru]

Thank you very much for your time. It was the best I have seen with the practical side shown excellently. I wish there were more videos like this. I going to recommend to all my friends

[@kenlizzio7096]

Found this really interesting. Good process to follow for those kind of issues. 10/10

[@shazlondon]

Ah man you are very good thank you. It’s fantastic to get a professional to explain. Thank you

[@bobman7881]

Great video I want whatever is in the coffee you are really fast after a cup I really enjoyed the video learned a lot Thank you

[@stoutheartusa]

Thanks for taking the time to create a nice tutorial for us DIY’s. 👍🖖🏽

[@memetyldz7681]

Thank you very much for this great demonstration and shared your experience with us.

[@HaggisPower]

Good thorough demo, thanks

[@mcycle24]

Well explained , Thanks for taking the time to make this video, I learned a lot from it.

[@morriem1]

thanks for making this and explaining how it all works in an easy to understand way,great job mate

[@testingtimes7924]

Happy days. Another very informative video and baseball caps in your store. Sorted. By the way, what you call waffling is just you imparting essential, basic, information to learners like me, who may only have a slight grasp of the concept. Carry on waffling.

[@pauljefferies9087]

Well my good Sir, I lean heavily towards the theory that corroded connections contribute to these problems. So, go through those grounds, including the main batt neg to ground to frame. Corrosion in the switch? Perhaps.

[@hanzarouth]

Excellent video quality, clear explanations... Even I understood it! James, you are the professor, the master. Please, can I have some more?

[@bikenavbm1229]

came across a bit of your stuff recently -excellent no need to apologize real good stuff I am sure it is helping many out and just plain interesting to others. ta

[@raymondgarafano8604]

You explained the rapid clicking very well. ur drawing was close to reality... there would be another small switch in series with the starter sw. this would be the kill sw. 2 wires off it, 1 would b to feed the ignition ckt, the 2nd wire would go to the start sw., then from there to the starter sol. Ur graph is really pretty good, what ur not saying but close to it is when the voltage goes to 10 under the 0 volts line is a different pole on the magnet, that is what is causing the opposite polarity. ur 3 phases are pretty good they would be 120 degrees apart. DO NOT apologize for getting into theory! one needs theory b4 they pick up a wrench screwdriver or a meter. one needs to know how things work what each part does and how it works with other parts. like as you said current goes thru a DIODE one way only. if it goes bad, 1 of 2 things can happen. 1 it will fail to let the current flow as it is supposed to. 2 it will allow current to flow against the diode, in which case without a fuse, the stator or charging coils will be quickly burned out.

[@campsite21]

You sir explain yourself very well, thankyou! I completely enjoyed the attention to detail, thank you again, keep it up!

[@philipstone4615]

Just watched all of this , loved it ! , Some very helpful tips and knowledge for my 26 year old zzr

[@ferdiyurdakul]

Back when i was a nipper and pkay with mopets that had a single coil for charging, all i had was an analogue meter. If you know what resistance the windings should be, that'd work too. Or a discrepancy. With reg/rec removed. Last one i did was an intermittent reg/rec fault on an st 1050. Triumph electrics are a different story 😅

[@milescrayford4917]

Great video, interesting and informative. Really enjoy these tutorial vids, I personally like the "waffling". Thanks.

[@virtuosomuso]

Many thanks for that video ,I thoroughly enjoyed that ,and learned a lot too thank you

[@Dimitris_Papagiannis]

I feel a lot wiser now, thanks for the video keep up the good work.

[@duncansteedman9986]

That’s brilliant! Thanks for your explanations 👍😎

[@PaulR387]

Great video, good use of the scope, thank you

[@maneatingduck]

I really like your videos, lots of useful information and insight, all clearly explained. Thank you!

[@ianwilliams6181]

Like your style, James. Calm, collected and professional. Easy listening and interesting. Wishing you all the best for the business, I know what it is to be self employed! When possible, can you cover more BMW stuff that comes your way? Better than the 'cursing Yank' as regards BM's any day.

[@M4FFU]

Must admit, I had no interest in learning ab out charging systems...until this popped up. Actually learnt stuff I can hopefully use later. Appreciate the effort for this, and the other vids. If that's not worth a hat purchase... :)

[@98SmithSteve]

Thanks, this is really helpful. I was taught to measure generator AC output across earth and each coil in turn rather than measuring across pairs of coils. Is that wrong?

[@ryanmcfarland6086]

Terrific video, thank you! This helped me diagnose and repair my 2002 Yamaha Road Star Silverado. Cheers!

[@Herco28]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@jimbutler6391]

Great video and explanations.

[@gomel931]

HELLO SIR! BEAUTIFULL LESSON AND A VERY GOOD TEACHING !! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. REGARDS. SHULY.

[@Vincegould]

Epic explanation!

[@bobanonymous7593]

Great info, man. Can definitely say I know a lot more about my charging system now. Thanks.

[@markfoster2033]

Excellent video.It's well explained & very informative,I learned a lot.Thanks

[@HepcatHarley]

Very interesting, I have a buzzing noise on my '14 plate FJR that rises with throttle. I can hear it whilst wearing my helmet too so it is quite annoying. Knowing nothing about electronics I mat be forced to get a new battery first and see what happens :)

[@johnpollock4257]

Fantastic insight top man at the electrics.

[@abelard2]

Thanks, from Cloudcroft, New Mexico, US

[@imautuber]

Ok, firstly, great video, now please can you clarify something for me. If I changed my battery for a light weight lithium battery I have to buy a charger specifically for lithium batteries, but I don't have to change my bikes charging circuit in any way, how come ? Are we just being told crap to get us to buy stuff we don't need, like a new charger.

[@MegaJimbob73]

Very helpful, very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@hamidallah5813]

Excellent it is really beneficial a huge thanks to you 👍👍👍👍👍

[@martingallagher7217]

That was very educational and informative, thanks Jim.

[@ashman4809]

I would think the biggest question you get now in what's with the start of this clip (I loved the burning by the way) Thanks for the TubeYou.

[@joshuaolkowski3351]

I wished you showed exactly what you were connecting to when checking the voltage regulation of the RR. That was the part I really wanted to see.

[@joshuaolkowski3351]

Thanks for replying. And your video is very good by the way. Unfortunately, I am a novice mechanic working on my first bike so I need to actually SEE what you're doing which is what you did very well throughout the video until the very end. I really don't understand what you just wrote me. I think you explained it earlier in the vid about testing the RR (not the diode test) but then performed it later and it's all too confusing. I have a 1981 Yamaha xj550rh Seca and the test they suggest in the manual needs two multimeters!!! So I was excited to see how you tested your RR but I just couldn't actually SEE what you're doing. In any case, I'm having a charging problem with my bike. I performed every single test you can on the bike and everything comes out within specifications, however, one thing on your vid that made me think might be my problem is the "internal resistance" of the battery. First time I've heard of this. My bike is doing what yours is doing where I can't really get the voltage to go past 13.5v at 5000rpm. The battery holds a full charge when I charge it over night. Is it possible that you can have a high resistance on the battery but left on a charger long enough it will still charge but when connected onto the motorcycle it will never charge sufficiently because of the high internal resistance? I went ahead and bought a new battery so as soon as I get it fully prepared I'll try my luck once again.

[@johncorbishley1548]

Great video nice demo using the oscilloscope but you often call an alternator a generator which is surprising as you are well aware of AC & DC

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Thanks for the comment. The term 'generator' is a generic word used to describe a machine for converting mechanical energy into electricity, nothing to do with whether it's AC or DC. Bike Manufactures almost always use the term "generator" in their service information and parts diagrams. The word alternator is used to describe what you would find on all cars and a handful of bikes. It's basically a generator and regulator/rectifier in one unit, outputting DC. People sometimes refer to a bike "Generator" as an "Alternator" because it's making alternating current, not technically correct but fine in my book. Another description used is 'stator', another perfectly acceptable discription. A dynamo (which is what I assume you are thinking of) also outputs DC but the rectification is done by a commutator and brushes, basically a DC motor.

[@miroslavbotkaru5298]

Very helpful tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@motoxr22]

Thanks for doing these James

[@dannykimble7671]

Hi yeah I had an 80s Suzuki & was meant to be around 86volts at 3000 revs if I recall correctly. Love your informative videos & you don’t hide your balls ups very honest stuff, I was told when I was an apprentice people who don’t make f-k ups because they haven’t made f-k all. Well done.

[@Stonehands43]

I learned so much from this video. Thanks for sharing!

[@simonbernhardt6229]

Great help. Thank you for taking the time.

[@richardjones3112]

Brilliant video.Thanks.

[@montytrialsbike1]

Not often I comment on vids but wow!!! I watched the whole vid and I learned a lot!! I am actually a motorcycle trials dealer and even tho I know about mechanics etc electrics have always been my down side!! So this vid is was very interesting to me. Any chance maybe you making a vid on trials and off road bike electrics?? As I think you would explain it better than most. PS you didn't waffle at all!!! :) :) it was all amazing learning cheers please do more thanks again

[@thejohn6614]

I'm having problems with my 2000 beta rev 3. I learned a lot from this video, but He didn't talk about the cdi. I can't figure out if it's my stator or my cdi, or both. On the beta the main power doesn't go to the regulator. It goes to the cdi and then the ignition coil. I can't start it because the spark is too weak.

[@christophermctiernan2091]

Another excellent video. Much appreciated.

[@mrbritcoinnakamoto2793]

love it real detailed explanation top tuber right there nice