Hello again from Staffo in downunder land.
I've just read this thread from go to whoa because I broke down again with electrical probs a few days ago riding up to Queensland from my joint 1400klms away.
A bit of history first. I also broke down last time I rode up 6 months ago in the Summer and luckily I had membership to a road service provider (NRMA to you Aussies) who got my dead battery recharged so I could ride to the nearest Triumph dealer 75klms away (Gilgandra to Tamworth).
The mech tested and found the regulator was stuffed and got another after market one delivered overnight and all was fine for another 6000klms or so.
Then this time my bike wouldn't start again in a place called Goodniwindi. I knew it was a dead battery as I know what it sounds like. So I went across the road to a Repco parts shop and asked them where the nearest bike shop was. It was about 2 klms away but luckily a local said he'd drive me there and bring me back with a battery (can't beat our country folk here in Aus. Salt of the earth).
Anyway, so off we went and again luckily the bike shop had the correct battery for my Speedy.
Paul, the good samaritan bloke brought me back so I gave hime a $20 for his troubles and then I got my tools out and replaced the dead battery.
I should mention the first mechanic who replaced the regulator was surprised that I hadn't cooked my battery as the regulator/rectifier was charging between 0 to 25 volts. So I suspect the battery may have been suspect anyway.
My main concern now is I'm thinking my bike is not charging as efficiently as it should, particularly after reading this thread, and will definitely be doing the mod Mailman (thanks mate, excellent explanation) put up on PhotoBucket for us.
My questions to those more experienced in electrical mods than myself, which would be just about everyone
is:
1) Would having my headlight on (we are hardwired in Aus to have them on permanently), an Iphone with GPS and Music playing be enough to drain a battery without the 10 gauge wire mod???
Btw, thanks also to Keith, our resident Mountain Man for being let me say, even a little bit more experienced than myself but not too much, cos it lead to an excellent thread and Mailman's Brilliant PhotoBucket explanation in improving the charge aspects of our bikes). Even I think I could fix this one now.
One last thing. Before I left home I cleaned and put dialectric grease on as many connectors as I could find including every harness and battery fuses, so I don't think I have a connection problem.
I would appreciate anyone's comments about my question cos I don't know whether to use my iphone or not. I think it must be alright cos it does charge up now as I'm riding along, but before the new battery the charge just stayed constant on it, making me think the battery was cooked last time.
Thanks for your time reading this post.
Regards staffo
ps: I've got no idea how to use the voltmetre testers. Something I need to rectify.
