Not charging?

[DevonCbx]

Lately I have been having a charging issue. Since spring When running the bike, while idling the volt meter would read about 10 volts. When getting up to speed, the volt meter needle would slowly climb to 13.5 volts. When coming to a stop the needle would once again go back to about 10 volts. Could this be the volt meter sticking or some other problem? I do also use a new battery. Took the bike for a spin today. Now the volt meter stays about 10 volts no matter what speed I travel. Once though during the day, the volt meter did travel up to about 13 volts again. But once again the needle dropped back down to 10 volts. Now I am continully getting a 8 volt charge. Needless to say, my battery died when I got home and tryed to start the bike again. Tonight I am giving the battery a trickle charge. Is it possible that one cure to the problem could be that the bike needs new bushes???

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

I am a numbskull when it comes to electrics Duane, but i know the bike will not charge at idle. I believe it has to be at 3500 rpm for it to be operational.
It could just be your funky battery not accepting the charge. A good battery eliminates a lot of things.
The alternator brushes are cheap and easy to install. It MIGHT also be the alernator plates and/or spring are getting tired. When the alernator starts going south it can emit a "chirping" sound.
Good for scaring people on the sidewalk.

[alimey4u2]

Duane, The major problem with a CBX is the charging system. Having said that, those that run the bikes on a daily basis don't seem to have the problem. Luckily the alternator as a unit is easily removed/inspected but the problem may not be just there. I ( we) could spend hours telling you what to look for but I in reality the subject is very well covered in these forums. If you do a search "alternator or charging " you will find a plethora of information...
If you don't find the answers there, please come back & we'll break it down for you.....

[Don #6141]

Lately I have been having a charging issue. Since spring When running the bike, while idling the volt meter would read about 10 volts. When getting up to speed, the volt meter needle would slowly climb to 13.5 volts. When coming to a stop the needle would once again go back to about 10 volts. Could this be the volt meter sticking or some other problem? I do also use a new battery

A new AGM battery? You 'use' a new battery . . . . or you 'need' a new battery? Buy an AGM one when you get one - They stay fully charged longer and make cold starts lots easier, especially if it's been a while since you rode it

What you describe sounds pretty normal - The 10 volts would probably be a little higher with a better battery though

The CBX alternator only runs at engine speed - Not like in a car where it runs at about 5X engine speed, so on a CBX you don't get any real charging until about 3K. Below that RPM the electrics run on the battery and if the battery isn't real strong, the voltage will dip below 11 or so

When your battery is somewhat discharged (like after a cold start when you may be cranking on it for a minute or so) then the 'problem' appears worse, because the alternator is loaded down and that makes the alternator clutches slip a bit at low speeds, so you might not see any real charging until around 5K - Once the battery charges for 5 or 10 minutes it will all return to normal . . . . which is to say less than 12 volts at an idle ;)

Don

[Don #6141]

Lately I have been having a charging issue. Since spring When running the bike, while idling the volt meter would read about 10 volts. When getting up to speed, the volt meter needle would slowly climb to 13.5 volts. When coming to a stop the needle would once again go back to about 10 volts. Could this be the volt meter sticking or some other problem? I do also use a new battery

You 'use' a new battery . . . . or you could use a new battery? Buy an AGM one when you get one - They stay fully charged longer and make cold starts lots easier, especially if it's been a while since you rode it

What you describe sounds pretty normal - The 10 volts would probably be a little higher with a better battery though

The CBX alternator only runs at engine speed - Not like in a car where it runs at about 5X engine speed, so on a CBX you don't get any real charging until about 3K. Below that RPM the electrics run on the battery and if the battery isn't real strong, the voltage will dip below 11 or so

When your battery is somewhat discharged (like after a cold start when you may be cranking on it for a minute or so) then the 'problem' appears worse, because the alternator is loaded down and that makes the alternator clutches slip a bit at low speeds, so you might not see any real charging until around 5K - Once the battery charges for 5 or 10 minutes it will all return to normal . . . . which is to say less than 12 volts at an idle ;)

Don

[Rick Pope]

Keep in mind too, that the CBX volt meter is not the most accurate thing around.

[EMS]

To me it sounds like a connector problem. Corrosion in these things can really play funny games with your charging system. Increased resistance causes rising temperatures cause increase resistance, connectors melt. Check them and clean them thoroughly.