LCGB Forums

Without having to run the engine, can a 12 volt battery charger be used to check the lighting system ? My Lambretta has a non battery, varitronic ignition set up. Thanks

Yes I have used a battery charger to test my lights on my GP. Just be careful were you put the wires.
Cheers
Stag

Thanks . Do I connect the positive lead to AC feed going into the regulator. Charger earth lead to engine. Is this correct ? What precautions do I need to take to prevent any damage to parts or bulbs blowing ?

connect the positive to the loom coming out of the regulator not going in, you are supplying DC not AC like the stator so your horn will more than likely just click or fart.
I always recommend an inline fuse of say 1 or 2 amp max so if you short anything the fuse goes before you light up the cables like an electric fire

Sorry if I am not much help, I would have thought your setup was 12v DC, i may be wrong, find out what wires supply the lights and horn, disconnect them from the regulator, junction box, and connect them up to your charger, positive to the wires you disconnected and negative to earth. But please make sure you are 12v DC before you do anything, and remember to fuse them .
Stag

AC 12 v to lights and horn. Google lambretta varitronic wiring diagram that will help.
Cheers
Stag

http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b41 ... wfvame.jpg

Thanks. Looking at the diagrams which is how I have wirec. I think I might be going wrong by not adding an extra earth cable to frame on the regulator and coil, maybe. Is the built in trip fuse on a charger adequate, if the charger has motorbike selection ? Mine is a Halfords car/bike automatic charger.

I do not think that the automatic chargers are up to it. Try a fully charged car battery. Earth it to the frame. Have you had all the lights and horn working with the engine running, or are you starting from scratch.
Cheers
Stag

Ignition got working. Kit working fine before. Actually the new loom is more basic than the original I removed. Casa GP electronic loom. Electronic round junction box fitted for stator wires.

Getting confused here. Are you running standard AC or a wassel type extra stator wire DC. variotronic was mentioned that's still AC
You can only use a battery charger to test your lights and switches not the ignition CDI your bike will run and stop via the kill switch button or off position on the ignition switch if fitted.
From the sound of it you have a new style loom they normally do away with the purple feed from the back to the headlight so you loose half the functions as purple is not connected at the headset. The round connector blocks can be wired oddly. You need to use a multimeter to see what plug holes are connected together on the back of the box. You need 2 separate connections 1 for light 1 for the kill switch. connect the green from the CDI then up to the on off switch The CDI has 2 greens stator then off to kill switch If you have only a brown in the new loom connect that to the output from the regulator and a short jumper brown to any purples at the headset. If it has a purple loom join the purple and brown at the round connector to you regulator output.

Cheers Monty. Just had a playground with electrics this morning. My set up is a non battery 12 volt varitronic with Italian headset connections. Probably one of the simplest of set ups on a Lambretta. Headset lights not working, down to brown feed popping out.Just read your post and like you say had to playaround with purple from ignition switch , just joined with brown feed to get side light working. All seems to be running fine. Thanks all for help.

Glad you got it all sorted. Sorry I was not more helpful.
Cheers
Stag