Charging problems

[zx2rjake]

hi all, this is my first post here but i will find the intro section and do that whole thing in a minuet. i have copied this post of mine from the ridingsa forum.

ok so my cheap zx2r was never going to be perfect, but last night it gave up on me.

i think there is a problem with my charging system, but i hope its only a wire fallen off or something easy like that.

my story: (2nd ride)
riding back from harndorf on the freeway, with a mate following in his car. me being a dickhead decided to nail it just as we were passing bridgewater. i think i hit a small bump, then the lights started to dim and the engine was loosing power. it got to a point where either the high beams or indicating would cut the engine completley. buy this time i was shitting myself cos it was dark and couldnt tell if my lights were on at all. just made it to stirling where it cut all together. i left the bike there and went home in me mates car to get my trailer (i live 3 kays from stirling) got back to the bike and the headlights worked again so we roll started it and i got 3/4 of the way home before it did the same again so i rolled/pushed the rest of the way.

apologies about the long story but i really need to get this fixed asap, so i was just hoping somone who knows bikes better than me could point me in the right direction.

i dont even know where to find the alternator!! and is it a 12v system?

any help is much appreciated, all i wanna do is ride!

[photomike666]

Hey, and welcome. I think you've come to the right place.

First thing to do is check the battery. Once the battery dies it stops holding charge and you gradually slow down. If you have a circuit tester check voltage on the battery without the bike started, much under 8V isn't good. Put the battery on charge and see how much juice the battery is taking (most chargers have a meter). If the battery is taking a lot that's good, if it's been drained and doesn't draw much charge it's stuffed. Check again once the battery is charged, but not on charge. It should be around 12V. Start the bike and test again, expect around 13V. Reving the bike should see it rise a bit, but not much. If it rises a lot when revved, the regulator is stuffed. If there is very little voltage reaching the battery while it is running, it could be the alternator or still a stuffed regulator. The reg is usually mounted under the tail section - but I'm not sure on a ZX2R. Using a manual you could find the in and out wires of the Reg and check voltages on each side - that would tell you if the reg or alt is stuffed. Chances are it's the battery. About $50 for a battery I think.

[zx2rjake]

thanks for the very quick reply!
i will go and try to find this mystical 'battery' now. and do what you said.
the reason i was leaning toward the alternator is when i first got it when id rev it from idle the lights would get brighter abit, but now they slowly go from dim to nothing while riding, no mater what the revs.

[photomike666]

thanks for the very quick reply!
i will go and try to find this mystical 'battery' now. and do what you said.
the reason i was leaning toward the alternator is when i first got it when id rev it from idle the lights would get brighter abit, but now they slowly go from dim to nothing while riding, no mater what the revs.

If the lights get brighter when you rev, the alternator is creating more charge.

[timmyrocks]

hey dude, they will brighten a little bit, doesnt mean alternators gone all the time.
as said check battery volts when stationary, then check when running should by round 13.
if its not the regulators under the tank at the front of the bike, but there pretty tuff, id say your batterys cactus so before goin crazy check those things as said above, and good luck.
oh to find the battery remove rear seat, and pull the lever toward the rear of the bike and the front seat will lift out cheers mate

[zx2rjake]

ok i got it sorted now i rekon.

This was the problem...


the plug on this thing, whatever it is, had burnt out. i have not fixed it properly yet, all i did was clean it up and put some special grease on it.

done about 120 kays today on it, i sorta ran out of fuel twice, and it worked fine.

now i just need a new 1 of these plugs

[mike-s]

id also make sure that the rectifier itself isnt shot.

things like plugs dont usually melt "because they feel like it", there has to be a reason for it to shit itself.

[photomike666]

As MikeS said, that is the rectifier. What this beauty does is regulate the charge from the alternator. The more you rev, the faster the alternator spins and the more electricity it creates. This would easilly fry your battery and other delicate electrical bits 'n' bobs, unless it is regulated. If a wire is burned, it's probably not regulating voltage. A new one will be under $100 and save you heaps in the long run.

[zx2rjake]

ok thanks guys, so where do i get a new one from? are they the same on other bikes?

[photomike666]

When I got one for my Honda I went to the dealer, not sure what after market versions are around - but I expect they would be bike specific.

[timmyrocks]

look on ebay,
or call these guys
metros spares 97487400
and ask for a zxr250 regulator rectifier.
is yours a C model or A model zxr?, A models got twin headlights, C models got 1 big one.
cheers Tim

[Six Addict]

its an A model tim