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F4RM@11 11-17-2012 14:35:13 50.126.213.255 Report to Moderator	After getting the SM started again following a carb rebuild, I turned to the electrical system to troubleshoot the lack of charging. The VR output had been adjusted and the gen inspected by an auto electric shop - both had a clean bill of health. The ammeter showed a slight discharge with the ignition switch on and the needle didn't move with changes in engine speed. Following Bob's troubleshooting flow chart, I made it through to the last step before the ammeter began showing a charge. When I jumpered the BAT and GEN terminals at the regulator, the ammeter suddenly began showing a charge and continued to do so afterward. The needle moved appropriately with engine speed. I'm curious as to why a charge on the ammeter suddenly began to show after making this brief circuit. The battery was fully charged after I returned to the shop as the trickle charger indicated so. [Reply]   [No Email]
F4RM@11 11-17-2012 17:11:54 50.126.213.255 Report to Moderator	Re: Ammeter Suddenly Shows Charging in reply to charles todd, 11-17-2012 14:35:13   :oops: I feel silly for not knowing that since it says right on Bob's troubleshooting flow chart. Duh! Thanks.   [Reply]  [No Email]
gbs 11-17-2012 16:49:07 71.51.248.4 Report to Moderator	Re: Ammeter Suddenly Shows Charging in reply to F4RM@11, 11-17-2012 14:35:13   you polarized the generator   [Reply]  [No Email]
F4RM@11 11-17-2012 14:50:26 50.126.213.255 Report to Moderator	Re: Ammeter Suddenly Shows Charging in reply to rustyfarmall, 11-17-2012 14:35:13   mkirsch said: (quoted from post at 15:45:36 11/17/12) Shut it down and start it up again. Does it still charge? I had the same problem last year, and it was a bad regulator. Yes, I had it shut down a few times today, one of which was for 30 mins or so. The ammeter continued to show a charge after each start. I'm not complaining - just curious to understand what happened. This post was edited by F4RM@11 at 16:29:33 11/17/12.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob M 11-17-2012 17:13:40 69.207.86.27 Report to Moderator	Re: Ammeter Suddenly Shows Charging in reply to F4RM@11, 11-17-2012 14:50:26   Your generator was likely polarized backward; jumpering BAT and GEN terminals fixed that. Could also however be an intermittant problem involving the regulator ground - especially if the regulator is in the stock location bolted on the front of the steering wheel stanchion. (The Super M is notorious for VR grounding problems here.) Suggest running a #14 ground wire from the regulator base to a GOOD frame ground - ideally where the grounded battery cable is attached. This post was edited by Bob M at 17:18:29 11/17/12.   [Reply]  [No Email]
mkirsch 11-17-2012 14:45:36 67.253.161.186 Report to Moderator	Re: Ammeter Suddenly Shows Charging in reply to F4RM@11, 11-17-2012 14:35:13   Shut it down and start it up again. Does it still charge? I had the same problem last year, and it was a bad regulator.   [Reply]  [No Email]