Charginng system issues on XB12r

[geder]

I've done my best to read through the current posts regarding the charging system for my 06 xb12r and the iconic voltage regulator trying to sort out my own charging issues. My stator passed the tests that I've read, having the correct AC volts out across all three and no continuity to the engine block. The voltage regulator is new off amazon after the previous failed and currently outputs 15v throughout the rpm range at its plug. The other side of the 77 plug reads the battery voltage as expected. The 30amp main battery fuse appears to be working as expected as the bike still runs fine (till it dies of no battery juice of course). With the system fully connected the battery only reads 13-13.3 and doesn't change at all with rpm changes. The battery is a new Noco group 14 LiFePO battery bought just a month ago when I thought the original issue was just old batteries. I have sprayed connector cleaner into the plug praying there was just some grime in there blocking the connection to no avail. It's been a few weeks now fighting this issue and I'm on my last straw after being caught dead twice on this bike so hopefully someone on here catches what I'm missing.

 

[Barrett]

As per your Amazon link:

ALL BUELL XB 2003-2007 charging systems three-phase
ALL BUELL XB 2008-2010 charging systems single-phase
How can a one-size-fits-all VR be marketed for and compatible with both systems? Impossible.
VR is suspect.

 

[Kurlon]

Wow, the reviews of that unit are… interesting. Many saying theirs was miswired out of the box. I’m with Barrett, I wouldn’t trust that lump as a paperweight right now.

 

[geder]

The wiring on mine was correct and I did verify the wire polarity and it does appear to output the correct voltage. None the less, I've ordered another one here from motorgenic. Maybe this will do the trick

 

[Cooter]

The motorgenic one looks nice please report if it works and any longevity issues:up: I've upgraded all mine to MOSFET non-shunt style, but I'd like a good source for plug-n-play ones, these bikes are all getting pretty old now:black_eyed:

 

[geder]

Are your mosfet systems more reliable than the current system? Also is it mounted in the same spot or have you relocated them somewhere else on the bike. I know that there's a good amount of chatter about the heat getting to these without at least spacing them.

 

[Cooter]

A factory VR is a good unit and other than cost, I see it as the best plug-n-play option. They have proven to be dependable, even on these old machines.

I don't mind fiddling with things so I went with a better VR, mounted to the same bracket as stock. The non-shunt style run quite a bit cooler because they aren't running at maximum, 100% of the time like the OE unit does. I don't think engine heat is a concern there, considering how dependable they are to begin with, but hey, cooler is better so if a little spacer makes ya feel good, go right ahead.

 

[geder]

Update: The new VR from motorgenic solved the issue! Shipping took a while though just got it this evening. Getting right under 14v at idle

 

[Cooter]

Thats awesome! Make sure it's not more than 15VDC over 2500RPM and thank you for posting the results. It's good to have an option for the OE. They got real expensive for awhile because the hoarders got nervous, so a realistic replacement was needed.

 

[geder]

I'll double check later today, right now I'm too happy to have ridden it to work this morning!

 

[young scooter]

Another sign of Voltage REgulator on its way out the door is if you start blowing headlight bulbs or notice the brightness of your gauge cluster ramping up as the rpms increase (night ride makes it easier to see). I got lucky and blew 2 headlight bulbs in a month and got my warning and changed the VR before it completely failed. Never blew a light again and it fixed the backlighting issue