Author Topic: Electric issue - help needed  (Read 3044 times)

ktienation

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Electric issue - help needed
« on: September 13, 2016, 08:12:36 AM »
Hello,

Its been a while since my last post (and a lot of new miles on my DT). I am facing for a while a strange proplem. In general I feel something there is something wrong with the charging / battery system, but no idea what and i dont want to replace parts that are ok.

First of all, my battery has something about 3-4 years, so its not brand new and is one of my main suspects. However, I have never faced problems with powering one the engine (even if a longer reving was needed), so it seems the battery should be ok. But to the point, when i ride with only the LED light on, everything is ok, however, after turning on the main beem after a few secongs the red battery charging light turns on on the dashboard. I have this problem quite for a while, but as where I leave it is ok to ride with the led lights only during the day, when i turned the main beems on (mainly while riding in denser traffic) and this battery light turned on, I just used to turn the lights off and after a few seconds so did the battery light.

Now just after a few seconds after turining on the main beems the battery light also goes on, and it keeps on (even if I turn all electrical equipment I can off). However, if i turn of the engine and on again, the red light doesnt turn on (until turining on the main light and then the history repeats). The bigger problem I noticed today, that with this red light on, and main beems on, my ABS does not work (looks like the voltage is to too low or something). However, if i turn the maing beems off (the red battery light still on) ABS works propperly.

Have anyone faced such an issue or have any ideas? My main suspects are: battery or voltage regulator. The connections should be ok as i celanned carefully all the electrical istalation and connections 4-5 months ago. Same, alternator should also be ok, as 2-3 months ago I had to replace (in Kymco shop) the CPS (crankshaft pos. sensor) as it was faulty and the part cames together with the stator wheel  (also new).

Peter

macostr

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2016, 08:24:46 AM »
hi Peter, i had very similiar issue few months ago, but my issue has evolved and i wasn't able to start the engine several times..once the engine turned off when i stopped on red lights....first one in a row of course.
anyway, the problem was in voltage regulator. i bought a new one from aliexpress and since then everything is working fine and I can finally ride with main beems on :) in addition to this, if your regulator is damaged (one of diods might not work properly) it can cause damage of stator, which is much more expensive part.
unfortunately, it seems that voltage regulator is a common issue in downtowns, i have friend who had the same issue. both of us had approx. 25000km when the part died

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macostr

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2016, 08:26:00 AM »
one more thing..you can measure the Voltage on battery with engine running. try measuring voltage with beams on and off, and with leds on and off... it should never be less than 13.5 - 14 V

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Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2016, 10:40:47 AM »
Kymco does not fit an overly powerful battery as stock....nevertheless, most people have no battery issues for years.
If fitting a new battery - consider installing a more powerful battery next time.  Only costs a bit more $...gives confidence for years.
YUASA charts show you your options for same size...more power.
Stig
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CROSSBOLT

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2016, 11:52:15 AM »
I agree with Stig in suspecting the battery at first. By all means, do the voltage checks first, but since the battery is 3-4 years old it is a likely candidate. Pull the battery and have it load-tested.

Karl
« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 12:52:36 PM by CROSSBOLT »
Karl

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ktienation

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2016, 12:20:15 PM »
Thanks guys for help. I think i will go for the regulator than. It also seems the problem form me. As i measured the Voltages it was ok. #Makostr, did your problem also resulted in very poor light (low brightness - almost yellow) from the main beems when turned on?

Stig, how many AH do you suggest?
« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 12:34:53 PM by ktienation »

de dee

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2016, 03:30:44 PM »
I think the biggest a.h.  is 310

Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2016, 10:57:23 AM »
Thanks guys for help. I think i will go for the regulator than. It also seems the problem form me. As i measured the Voltages it was ok. #Makostr, did your problem also resulted in very poor light (low brightness - almost yellow) from the main beems when turned on?

Stig, how many AH do you suggest?
I think it was the revered Vivo that told me to buy the most powerful 12V motorcycle battery that would fit my scoot's battery box....using the YUASA charts to see my opinions.
The chart gives you the info...then you can buy any battery with that number/letter combo.
I like YUASA batteries. Trust them to get me home when it is 3 degrees Fahrenheit out there in the boonies.
Stig
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mousejunks

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2016, 04:07:06 AM »
The red battery light is a battery voltage warning light. When the voltage drops below 12.0V the light comes on. When you turn on the low beam, you are drawing 6 amps from the 10Ah battery, causing the voltage to drop. If the light comes on with the low beam, then the battery is becoming weak and also not recharging properly due to high internal resistance and will need to be replaced. The scooter will still start and run fine, but it could fail to start one day.
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

ktienation

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2016, 12:22:17 PM »
The red battery light is a battery voltage warning light. When the voltage drops below 12.0V the light comes on. When you turn on the low beam, you are drawing 6 amps from the 10Ah battery, causing the voltage to drop. If the light comes on with the low beam, then the battery is becoming weak and also not recharging properly due to high internal resistance and will need to be replaced. The scooter will still start and run fine, but it could fail to start one day.

I thaught that that when the engine is on, elecrtical equipent uses energy frot the alternator, not battery? Am I wrong with such statement?

mousejunks

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2016, 12:29:42 AM »
Electricity comes from both sources.
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'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

ktienation

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2016, 02:18:02 PM »
Yesterday i replaced the voltage regulator. It seems that it fixed the problm. I have one more question, am i right that in the US high baems are the ones which use projector lamps? Because here in Europe projectors are used for low beams. I am asking because i am curious about the reason my light are so weak (with the stock H8 bulbs). Are yours also that weak?

de dee

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Re: Electric issue - help needed
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2016, 03:57:00 PM »
 my downtown lights where so bad ,I tried all the other lights and ended up with LED,s  ,. and added led cray spot lights for highway use,.

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