Question-------------------------hey falcon
thats what i first thought. i have the wiring diagram in front of me, and have followed the wires through. this alternator has two different parts. one runs the headlight, and the other runs the rest of the bike. they are completely separate. the diagram shows the hot wire from the alt. going directly to the handlebar switch, then to the headlight. just before the headlight, there is a tee, branching off to a 3.61 ohm resistor, then to ground. it doesn't go through the resistor to the headlight, just teeing off to ground. do you suppose this resistor is whats supposed to reduce the voltage?
thanks for your advice,
dave
Followup To
Question -
hi my xl250 just blew out the headlight. when i checked it, it was putting out 30 volts. what reduces the voltage to the 6 volt area?
dave shideler
Answer -
Hi Dave.
The electrical system's output is regulated by a component known as a regulator/rectifier. On some bikes, it is actually 2 different components, but that is usually from bikes built before 1970. You may want to test that component as per the testing proceedures in the repair manual. If your manual doesn't have test proceedures for that part, then take it to a local mechanic familiar with your make/model bike.
Good luck.
FALCON
AnswerHi Dave.
That resistor is not in the circuit for the headlight, so I don't see it being the cause of the problem. There has to be some kind of voltage regulator between the power and the rest of the electrical system. You should doublecheck what your diagram shows with someone locally if there is no regulator showing in the diagram. Something has to keep that voltage down to the level that is required for correct system operation. Did you check all of the wiring between power and the light for shorts, arcing and grounding?
That could also cause a power overage.
Check those and let me know what you find.
FALCON
