Ariel Charging

[krill]

Hi, my Ariel VB isn't charging, I have done the test on the dynamo and get about 2.5 volts at tick over up to 12 when revved, I have a new battery and solid state regulator but the ammeter shows a slight discharge when running and stays the same at all revs, with everything turned off there is a slight discharge reading which goes back to zero if I disconnect the wire from the dynamo, also the dynamo and field connections both show continuity to earth, not sure if that's correct, any help or advice wiould be very gratefully received

Chris

[rogerwilko]

 Another test is to connect a headlight globe across the bridged genny terminals and it should glow brightly when revved. This will discount the genny.

[R]

With the 12v coming out of it when revved, have you checked that the polarity of that 12v is the same as the battery is wired up for. ??

[rogerwilko]

That's a good point, run 6volts through it and see which way it motors. If the wrong way, swap the field wires over and re-polarize it.

[krill]

Hi, thanks for the advice but could you please explain "run 6volts through it and see which way it motors", not sure what that means
Thanks
Chris

[Revband]

The dynamo can run like an electric motor. remove the dynamo or drive belt Etc, if the bike is positive earth connect the positive battery lead to the dynamo case and the negative lead to both the F & D terminals and the dynamo should rotate smoothly in the direction it would turn when on the bike. if negative earth reverse the battery.

[krill]

Yes got that, I will give it a go, thanks for the help

[Gromit]

The electronic regulator thingy hasn't reversed the polarity of the system has it ?.... i.e. was the bike POS earth as is normal with all things old and Lucas on a motorbike and the regulator wired for NEG earth .... worth a check of the regulator info sheet and wiring diagram  to see if reversing the battery terminals may cure it ... everything else will be OK except the ammeter will read backwards ... just swap the leads over until the meter reads discharge with the headlight on and the engine stopped.

Regards Gromit

[krill]

Thanks for all the advice, I have now checked everything mentioned and all the wiring, everything works as it should until I connect the dynamo, it sparks on the D connection and shows max minus on the ammeter, if I connect a meter to either the F or D on the dynamo I get full continuity to earth so even if the dynamo is producing a current will it be going straight to earth and not through the system  ??

[Revband]

If the dynamo checks out as being OK, and motors correctly, then the problem is either that it is wired up incorrectly, but as you say this checks out,  then the electronic regulator is short circuit internally.

[largeviking]

Sometimes get leakage from the Alternator/Dynamo straight to earth. To check this need to disconnect alternator, run bike from battery and check to see if you can get a voltage reading from frame.

[rogerwilko]

You haven't stated whether you did the globe test or the motoring test?Otherwise you're waisting your time?