Charging Issue?

davidhughrose · Post by **davidhughrose** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 5:42 pm

Pasoists,

The dash charge light on my beautiful 88 750 Paso is now lighting up at idle. I believe this indicates a charging issue. When RPMs pass about 1400 it turns off. I cleaned all of the electrical contacts on the voltage regulator (preventive medicine) and put a volt meter on the battery while running, showing steady 12 volts. It's possible it may be a bad electrical connection, but I stay on top of connection maintenance pretty well.

I've yet to strip the body panels and thoroughly analyze the prob, with my Ducati shop manual close at hand. Before diving into this problem, Skins or any other savvy member, any suggestions or words from experience? (keeping revs above 1400 at all times is not an option :-)

Thanks everyone!

Dave
Rosamond, CA

qldman36 · Post by **qldman36** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:19 am

Are you using digital voltmeter? If using analog[needle] they are at times very inaccurate. If using digital, 12 volts is dead battery. Fully charged battery after resting 12 hours will read 12.70 volts. When checking charge rate, at 3500 rpm should read between 13.5 and 14.3 volts. If showing near 12.0 volts, in all likely hood, regulator gone south.

Post by **jcslocum** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:18 pm

You need to check all of the connections...again and then check them for a 3rd time. Also check and clean and clean the ground straps that go from the frame to the engine.

Have you upgraded the wiring yet with relays?

Once you have it runing with the volt meter attached, check the voltage at idle and 3500 rpm. let us know these values.

davidhughrose · Post by **davidhughrose** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:50 pm

I'm using an analog meter, so you are correct about some inaccuracy. I'll check at 3,500 RPM; thanks for this value. Even with some inaccuracy the analog meter should show if 12 volts or 13.5-14.7.

No wiring relay upgrade, but now is a great time for it. I'll re-check all wiring connections again. Good point about the grounds.

More to follow, and thanks a million for your insight.

Dave

davidhughrose · Post by **davidhughrose** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:09 am

Solved. This was simpler than I expected. Today I pulled the panels & did quite a bit of preventative maintenance. Over the years my idle has dropped down, to about 850 RPM. I increased it to about 1,200 and the light went out. Voltage at 3,500 checked out. Check the simple things first.

I synchronized the carbs while I was at it (right at 14 inches Hg).

Now if I could figure out why my fuel gauge is so incredibly jumpy I'd have it made :-)

Dave