Testing Stator voltage

[triketrash]

I'm pretty sure my stator is putting out just fine because I get a noticeable difference between resting voltage and with some rpm- like from just over 12V up to 14V. But I was trying to test the voltages coming from the individual yellow wires at the stator. I still have the stock connector there; nobody has soldered the wires together like many guys do. Now, I tried testing the voltage, and I got nothing on all three but I had the plug disconnected. Do I have to check the voltages with the plug still connected, and go in from the back with the probe? thanks

[Fatwing Chris]

Set your meter to AC Voltage and then connect your leeds to 2 of the 3 wires(with the connector unplugged-stator side of the plug).Then switch to the next 2 and then the last 2.3 different combos.I could be wrong,but I think they should read 60 V's AC each.

[virgilmobile]

Testing for voltage on the stator wires...3 yellow wires...
This is AC volts not DC volts...It is measured unhooked from the rectifier/regulator module..
There is no reference to ground...
Measurements are done by connection to 2 of the 3 yellow wires...Ac volts will vary wildly depending on engine RPM.
There are a total of 3 voltage measurements...each in rotation between the 3 leads....This is 3 phase AC..There are 3 coils and none of them are grounded.
Voltage at 1000 RPM is usually in the 30 volt range and quickly can reach 70+ volts at 3500 RPM.
A low resistance measurement for each coil is normal...usually less than 1 ohm...there should be no measurable resistance from the yellow wires to the engine/ground....
Accurate voltage regulation is directly proportional to the sense voltage feeding the regulator (black wire)..if it's a few tenths lower than the actual battery lug voltage,the regulator will increase it's output to compensate...That said...when I "did" mine...it would hold at 13.8 volts at 950 RPM and peak at 14.3 volts Above the 2500 RPM range...

[Fatwing Chris]

Sorry.Double post.........

Virgil's explanations a lot better anyway.Just ignore mine.

[triketrash]

OK thanks Virg- ya I was trying to measure mine by connecting each of the terminals to ground. I'll try your way. But am I right in thinking that if I see a rise in voltage at the battery when I rev the engine, that I'm probably in good shape?

[triketrash]

by the way, Fatwing- your explanation made perfect sense to me- I like the low tech answers:) But thanks to both of you

[virgilmobile]

Yes it was a fine description too.
I just tend to rattle on and on with too many details.
Seeing a rise in voltage is a good thing.
When you measure with a DVM directly across the battery posts you should see near 13.8 at 1000 Rpm and max out at no more that 14.6 volts at 3500 RPM.
Keep a eye on that stator(3 yellow wires) plug.Any bad connection there will cook/melt the connector pretty quick.

[triketrash]

OK- will keep an eye there- and yes it was looking pretty crusty so I plan on cleaning it with contact cleaner and then using some di-electric grease. Does that sound ok?

[Fatwing Chris]

You're actually better getting rid of the plug altogether and soldering the wires together.The terminals tend to loose their tension from the heat and don't make a good solid connection which generates even more heat.High resistance= more heat.

[triketrash]

OK- you sold me- I'll go ahead and solder them then- I know the plug was a little warm when I pulled it apart.