I cut off the test leads and put an eyelet terminal on the ends that will fasten directly to the battery terminals. You could use a two-connector terminal for intermittent hookup. The tester has a magnetic pad on the back that will hold it in position on the tank for a few minutes, but won't stay through vibration, etc. I attached it to my gas tank top with double stick tape. Classy? No. Informative? YES! The leads are long enough to reach the battery. Initially, I used the magnet mounting, thinking I would only use it to see what was going on, but it gives charging system voltage when running and battery voltage when turned off, so I mounted it "permanently". The 6 different colored lights tell you at a glance what the charging and battery system is doing. And the Electrosport regulator/rectifier gave me a greatly increased charging rate., at a much lower RPM. Fast idle - 1200 RPM - will charge the battery with 12+ volts!
Gene ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 5:56 PM Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Charging systems. Gene, Can you explain how you have this hooked up? Thanks, Wynn On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 7:39 AM, Gene Henry <[email protected]> wrote: Recent experience with my 84' CB650SC: Intermittent starting problems, sometimes after just riding and shutting down. Battery condition questionable. Charging system typical low output. I have a multi light voltage indicator from Harbor Freight installed so I can see the voltage/battery/charge condition. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46972 currently $3.99 Replaced the battery with a new Honda/Yausu(?). Much better. Replaced the regulator/rectifier with one from Electrosport $100 http://www.electrosport.com/products/product-detail-581.php This made a enormous difference in charging voltage levels. Now, the charging (12 to 13 volts) starts at about 1200-1400 RPM, and I get 13 to 14 volts at cruising speed. I attribute the change in charging conditions to the new regulator/rectifier. Warning: your mileage may vary! ----- Original Message ----- From: Dale To: Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers! Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 1:50 AM Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Idle Speed for 1984/650 cc Nathan, Im not an expert on electrical,but i know my bike does not charge well until I am above 2500 RPM. I don't think that bumping the idle up from 900-1100 RPM to 1600 RPM will do much besides burn more gas. If I do a lot of city driving (during the week to and from work), I will leave it on a charger, but when I get out on the road (weekends) my battery holds up just fine. Near the end of last season my battery started to go down, but $20 at Wal-Mart and I will be back in business. Other than reducing the load on the battery (some guys are going to LEDs and smaller headlights) i think you'll just have to hook up a battery tender. -"E" On Apr 6, 8:48 am, Nighthawk Nathan <[email protected]> wrote: > WOW. It is good to be riding again in Colorado that officially means > Spring for me. Last weekend I took my bike to a local mechanic. He > changed oil, charged and installed the battery, and gave everything a > good once over. > > He also changed the idle speed to about 1,600 so the battery would > charge some at idle. I know these bikes do not charge well at idle and > he seemed to think raising the idle speed was a great idea. > > What do all of you think? What are the pros/cons for a higher speed on > these 83-85 650 Nighthawks? > > Any comments would be appreciated. > > Thank you, > > Nighthawk Nathan -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
