LCGB Forums

The ability to post messages is restricted to LCGB members. Any questions contact us at lcgbadmin@googlemail.com

Battery not charging...

Technical help for Series one, two and three Lambrettas. Models include the Li, Li Special, TV, SX, GP, Serveta and API/SIL models

Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Fri Aug 13, 2021 9:52 pm

I have just completed a DC conversion using a scootronics "wassel" regulator and a 12v 7ah battery.
I followed the wiring to the letter with the brown feed wire connecting to the +ve wire as it comes out of the regulator into the +ve terminal (-ve to earth and -ve battery) of the battery so that incase the battery failed the stator would still feed the lights.This doesn't seem to be the case and while out the other night my lights began to dim dramatically and I had to wing it home quick.The lights were only working on the battery which wasnt getting charge.
On measuring the DC voltage it was 11.8v on low revs.
Does anyone know where Ive gone wrong or what would cause
a)battery not to charge
b)lights to not work direct from regulator.
Many thanks,Mick.
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby missing lynx » Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:34 pm

What stator are you using? I have a wassel dc conversion using a dc converted uni stator and it produces over 13v on tick over which drops to 12 1/2 v with lights on
missing lynx
 
Posts: 863
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 5:14 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:54 pm

Its an Indian electronic stator I think.Ive ordered a new one from Scootronics....
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby MickYork » Sat Aug 14, 2021 7:23 am

Are you getting voltage into the regulator ? it will fluctuate greatly (hence the regulator to stabilize the voltage) it could be as high as 20 - 30 ac volts
MickYork
 
Posts: 1476
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:37 am

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:28 am

Hi Mick,yes Im getting AC voltage into regulator,not sure how much.Will check later.
Cheers
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:34 am

This is the diagram I went off
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby coaster » Sun Aug 15, 2021 7:20 pm

Micky67keane wrote:.........On measuring the DC voltage it was 11.8v on low revs.


Yes but what does it read when you rev it? The voltage should go up with revs and top out about 14 volts with no lights and around 13 volts with them on. The max wattage for the headlamp should be 25 watts, tghe stator will be fighting a loosing battle if you have a 55/60 watt headlamp
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby MK Monty » Sun Aug 15, 2021 9:06 pm

Do your lights work as normal without the engine running if not your battery is flat or it is not connected properly. One of the great things with this system is that everything works without the engine, the engine then tops it all up
User avatar
MK Monty
 
Posts: 340
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:32 pm
Location: Stockport

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby gp200ts1 » Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:42 am

[quote=

Yes but what does it read when you rev it? The voltage should go up with revs and top out about 14 volts with no lights and around 13 volts with them on. The max wattage for the headlamp should be 25 watts, tghe stator will be fighting a loosing battle if you have a 55/60 watt headlamp[/quote]
surely an electronic stator should be able to power a 55w bulb with a bit to spare with a 10w rear bulb and leaving a bit for trickle charging the battery?
gp200ts1
 
Posts: 255
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 2:43 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby coaster » Mon Aug 16, 2021 12:55 pm

gp200ts1 wrote:[quote=

Yes but what does it read when you rev it? The voltage should go up with revs and top out about 14 volts with no lights and around 13 volts with them on. The max wattage for the headlamp should be 25 watts, tghe stator will be fighting a loosing battle if you have a 55/60 watt headlamp

surely an electronic stator should be able to power a 55w bulb with a bit to spare with a 10w rear bulb and leaving a bit for trickle charging the battery?[/quote]

Possibly if you have it pegged at 5k rpm but for non A road and around town riding the 70 watt Indian stators won't do it. 35 watts is ok and if you are clipping along at 50 mph or so then an Indian stator will will charge the battery at aroung 14 volts. When I was running a 55/60 Night Breaker in mine I would have to turn the headlamp off if I wanted to charge my iphone and satnav.
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:35 pm

Thanks for all the replies.
My multimeter has just packed up so cant read the voltage,new meter in post!
The lights(and horn) work great with battery connected but not at all if any of the battery leads are disconnected.
Im going to test the output from the regulator tomorrow with a bulb because surely the output should power up the lights(even dimly if voltage is low).
All earths are good,battery,regulator and engine all to same earth.
Messing with my head a bit....
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby coaster » Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:53 am

Micky67keane wrote:Thanks for all the replies.
My multimeter has just packed up so cant read the voltage,new meter in post!
The lights(and horn) work great with battery connected but not at all if any of the battery leads are disconnected.
Im going to test the output from the regulator tomorrow with a bulb because surely the output should power up the lights(even dimly if voltage is low).
All earths are good,battery,regulator and engine all to same earth.
Messing with my head a bit....


Yes, your lights should work fine without the battery conncted but they will be like the AC system and vary in brightness according to revs. I used to suffer intermittent battery disconnects due to using alarm batteries with spade connectors. The plating on the connectors would corrode just enough to cause a high resistance and the battery would stop charging. I now use proper motorcycle batteries with screw terminals 8-)
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:52 pm

Nice 1 for the advice on the battery coaster,atm I am using an alarm battery(get em free at work),so will probably use a larger capacity with screw in terminals.
Scootronics stator and regulator arrived today hopefully get them fitted before weekend and see what that brings.
Cheers again
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Fast n Furious » Tue Aug 17, 2021 11:17 pm

What battery capacity size have you got?
I used to have a 2.1Ah gell battery on my Jet which has a HID headlamp.
If the supply voltage to one of these bulbs drops below 9V it will simply switch off, which used to happen with annoying reularity when ticking over at various traffic lights. No problem at all on the open road. Even tootling around at 30mph was ok.
I later upped the battery capacity to 4.2Ah and this sorted the issue out.
Battery capacity size does matter. Bear in mind that the original wet cell batteries were around 7Ah.
User avatar
Fast n Furious
 
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2016 3:56 am
Location: York

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby coaster » Wed Aug 18, 2021 1:18 am

Fast n Furious wrote:What battery capacity size have you got?
I used to have a 2.1Ah gell battery on my Jet which has a HID headlamp.
If the supply voltage to one of these bulbs drops below 9V it will simply switch off, which used to happen with annoying reularity when ticking over at various traffic lights. No problem at all on the open road. Even tootling around at 30mph was ok.
I later upped the battery capacity to 4.2Ah and this sorted the issue out.
Battery capacity size does matter. Bear in mind that the original wet cell batteries were around 7Ah.


I'm currently using a 5 Ah motorcycle battery which is adequate and not too big. I also use an HID headlamp and have had the same issue, in fact that was when I discovered the corroding spade cannector problem :(
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Wed Aug 18, 2021 5:03 pm

Thanks both,I'm using a 7ah atm.I have a 35w halogen headlight with a bgm led rear/brake.
What fitment and any details about the hid conversion would be good too please.Are they much better?
Cheers
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby coaster » Thu Aug 19, 2021 12:11 am

Micky67keane wrote:Thanks both,I'm using a 7ah atm.I have a 35w halogen headlight with a bgm led rear/brake.
What fitment and any details about the hid conversion would be good too please.Are they much better?
Cheers


They need to be used in conjunction with the Jockeys headlamp conversion which to be fair is a signoffiant improvement over standard even with the H4 halogen supplied. The first one I fitted used an HID from ebay and only cost £5.99, this is still goiung strong after around 6 years. The second one uses a very similar kit from ebay but was for a car so had 2 HID units and cost around £10 again from ebay. They come with H4 fitting options and ply straighjt into thw Boxey reflector, you wil need extension leads for the Hi Voltage lead from the ballasr to the lamp as the ones supplied wont be long enough. You will need a basic knowlege of electricity.
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Thu Aug 19, 2021 11:08 pm

Nice 1 for that info Coaster,certainly 1 to look into.Does the ballast need to be hidden under horncasting?
Am quite competent round electrickery.
Cheers
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby coaster » Fri Aug 20, 2021 12:57 am

Micky67keane wrote:Nice 1 for that info Coaster,certainly 1 to look into.Does the ballast need to be hidden under horncasting?
Am quite competent round electrickery.
Cheers


The ballasts are about the size of a pack of playing cards and usually have a mounting hole at one end which you can bolt to the horn bracket under the casting. None of the cables will be long enough though but the 12v pos feed can be easily extended but the cable from the ballast to the HID lamp caries about 30k volts DC ans is like a thin HT lead. I bought an extention cable off ebay which had the correct waterproof lugs on for about £5 or so, they come in different lenths with the shortest being .5 mtr. I used those toggle type connectors in the headset to replace junction block on the headlamp as you have to lose that.
User avatar
coaster
 
Posts: 2647
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Norfolk, Flying 8 Balls

Re: Battery not charging...

Postby Micky67keane » Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:08 pm

Thats great,thanks very much....bright lights here we come!
Micky67keane
 
Posts: 231
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:35 pm

Next

Return to Series 1, 2 & 3

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests