ELECTRICAL
10.18
CURRENT DRAW - KEY OFF
CAUTION: Do not connect or disconnect the battery
cable or ammeter with the engine running. Damage
will occur to light bulbs and speed limiter.
Connect an ammeter in series with the negative
batterycable. Check for currentdrawwiththekeyoff.
If the draw is excessive, loads should be
disconnected fro m the system one by one until the
draw is eliminated. Check component wiring as well
as the component for partial shorts to ground to
eliminate the draw.
Current Draw - Key Off:
Maximum of .02 Adc (20 mA)
CHARGING SYSTEM “BREAK
EVEN”
TEST
CAUTION: Do not connect or disconnect the battery
cable or ammeter with the engine running.
CAUTION: Never use the electric starter with the
ammeter connected, as damage to the meter or meter
fuse may result. Do not run test for extended period
of time. Do not run test with high amperage
accesso ries.
The “break even” point of t he charging system is the
point at which the alternator overcomes all system
loads (lights, etc.) and begins to charge the battery.
Depending on battery condition and system load, the
breakevenpointmayvaryslightly. Thebatteryshould
be fully charged before performing this test.
GConnect an ammeter (set to DC amps)
in series between the negative
battery cable and terminal.
Do not use electric start.
--+
YB14A
Current Drain Inspection
Key Off
Less Than 9 mA
GConnect a tachometer according to
manufacturer’s instructions.
GWith engine off and the key and kill switch in the
ON position, the ammeter should read
negative amps (battery discharge). Reverse
meter leads if a positive reading is indicated.
GShift transmission into neutral. Start engine
with recoil only.
GIncrease engine RPM while observing ammeter
and tachometer.
GNote RPM at which the battery starts to charge
(ammeter indication is positive).
GWith lights and other electrical load off, this
should occur at approximately 1500 RPM or
lower.
GTurnthe lightson andlock parkingbraketo keep
brake light on.
GRepeat test, observing ammeter and
tachometer. With lights on, charging should
occur at or below 2000 RPM.
ALTERNATOR OUTPUT TEST
(AC
AMP)
This test measuresACamperage from thealternator .
CAUTION: This test simulates a “full load” on the
alternator . Do not perform this test longer than required
to obtain a reading or the alternator stator windings may
overheat. Do not exceed idle rpm during this test.
To Calculate Available Alternator Output
150W
12V
=
12.5 Amps
I
=
P
E
I = Current in Amps
P = Power in Watts
E = Electromotive Force (V olts)
Alternator Current Output:
Minimum of 7 AC Amps
GMaximum alternator output will be indicated on
the meter. It is not necessary to increase
engine RPM above idle.
GPlace the red lead on the tester in the 10A jack.
GTurn the selector dial to the AC amps (Aµ)
position.
GConnect the meter leads to the wires leading
from the alternator (seeschematic for proper
wiring colors).
GStart the engine and let it idle. Reading should
be a minimum of 7A at idle.
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