1975 gl1000 regulator questions

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wajulia
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1975 gl1000 regulator questions

#1

Post by wajulia »

I had a problem with my ride not starting a few days ago due to a dead battery. Started checking the charging circuit and found the regulator is supplying about 15.5 volts. That seems way to high. I put an oscilliscope on the battery and the rectification seems to be working fine. I unplug the regulator and the voltage goes up to almost 18v. Plugged in it is 15.5.

This is to high right? Time for a new regulator? I see used ones on ebay and also see the combined rectifier/regulators. I would lie to keep the original configuration. But that means buying a used regulator. Thoughts on how to proceed?
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2004 Honda Shadow ACE
1975 GL1000
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ericheath
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Re: 1975 gl1000 regulator questions

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Post by ericheath »

A fair amount of over-charging on early Wings is due to the sense wire (black wire@ regulator) running up through several connections before it gets to the regulator. If each connection has a little resistance, by the time it gets to the regulator it can easily be a volt low. Old wiring begets resistance. The regulator then does its job and charges based on the info sent, hence a volt high.

Quite a few of us have cut the black wire and used the side coming from all the connections as a trigger for a relay which connects through a fused wire straight to the battery.

Since the jr high electrical teacher threw D cell batteries at me and threatened me regularly with his trusty three-foot, half inch, dowel adjusting club, take this with a grain of salt while someone else chimes in to confirm or correct me.
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Re: 1975 gl1000 regulator questions

#3

Post by Track T 2411 »

As Eric suggests, 15+ volts is too high. I believe you could do a simple test by bypassing the sense wire, then making the change permanent if it tests okay...
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wajulia
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Re: 1975 gl1000 regulator questions

#4

Post by wajulia »

I jumpered the black wire to the battery positive terminal through a 5a fuse. 14.5 volts!!. Thanks! This site is the best!
2004 GL1800 Goldwing
2004 Honda Shadow ACE
1975 GL1000
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: 1975 gl1000 regulator questions

#5

Post by Sidecar Bob »

As I understand it, the current through the sense wire is virtually nothing. It is fairly common on CX500forum to just connect it directly to the battery.
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