Hawk Electrical System Page 1

CHARGING SYSTEM
System Tests
ALTERNATOR OUTPUT
A  DC voltmeter, ammeter, and a fully charged battery in good condition are needed to ensure accurate results for this test.
   The test should be carried out when the engine is at operating temperature.
   NOTE: Be sure that the battery is fully charged and in good condition, otherwise the test results will not be valid.
  
1. Disconnect the black wire coming from the rectifier/regulator unit.
  
2. Disconnect the battery positive terminal lead. Connect the ammeter between the battery positive terminal and the red lead coming from the battery.
   3. Connect the DC voltmeter to the battery positive terminal and to a good ground.



   4. Turn the lights on to high beam and start the engine. Note the meter readings.
   5. Charging should start at about
1,200 rpm. At 5,000 rpm, the voltmeter should read 14.5 volts, and the ammeter at least 5 amps.
   6. If both meters do not read close to these standards, the system has a malfunction If too low, the alternator rectifier, or regulator may be at fault.


ALTERNATOR
  
The alternator is the easiest component in the charging system to test, and therefore it should be checked first. The alternator has three coils of wires in the stator assembly which are wired in series. If there is a break in the circuit, output will be affected. This is about the only thing that can happen to the alternator since the rotor

Electrical components beneath left side cover

is a permanently magnetized unit and trouble with it is unlikely.
   To check the alternator, a simple continuity light or an ohmmeter can be used.
Disconnect the stator wiring at the connector. Check for continuity between each of the
three yellow leads in turn. There must be continuity in each case. If there is not, the stator assembly must be replaced.
   Check for continuity between each yellow lead and a ground such as the engine cases, or stator core. There must be none. If continuity is evident here, there is a short in the stator, and the unit must be replaced.
   NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the stator from the engine to carry out these tests. Further, it is preferable to check the unit at operating temperature, since circuit failure may be evident only when the unit gets hot.


REGULATOR
A DC voltmeter is used to check the regulator.
   With all leads connected, connect the voltmeter across the battery terminals, and start the engine. Run the engine to at least 5,000 rpm, note the meter reading.
   If the voltmeter exceeds 15.0 volts, the regulator is defective and should be replaced.
   If the voltmeter reads less than 14.0 volts, the trouble is either the regulator or the rectifier.

The units must be replaced together in any event.
   NOTE: As above, this test requires a fully charged battery in good condition in order to be valid.


RECTIFIER
The rectifier should be checked in the event of insufficient battery charging. Tests can be carried out with a continuity light or a standard (low voltage) ohmmeter.
   CAUTION: Do not apply highvoltage to
   the rectifier.
  
1. Disconnect the leads and remove the rectifier from the machine.
   2. The test involves testing current flow through the rectifier in both directions. The rectifier consists of six diodes. When in working condition, a diode will pass current in one direction only.
   If the diode passes current in both directions, or in neither direction, it is defective. If any of the diodes is defective, the rectifier must be replaced.
   3. Check the continuity between the green lead and each of the yellow leads in turn. Reverse the tester leads and repeat the test.

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