[Discussion] CB400 SUPER FOUR HYPER VTEC Revo

[shazwanmchaggis]

Its not the coil just a connection problem for reading. Wire loose.

 

The coil is only for charging purposes.

 

Oh ok. Thanks, bud.

[Winners]

This is an update on the issue first mentioned here.

 

Since replacing the battery, the needles still sweep around the meters on ignition. This persisted throughout the 2 weeks before my trip (see below). However, I had no problem starting the bike on first crank everyday.

 

I went on a trip with some mates last weekend. We started the trip at night and it was quite a cool ride (for ambient temperature reference). This is the first chance I had to “test” my Revo since buying the bike a few weeks ago, so I decided to run it at higher speeds. After about an hour plus of riding between 165-185km/h on the NS Highway, the oil pressure light came on. Then the meters died, i.e. digital info like trip meter, fuel gauge and clock went blank. Both RPM and speedo needles then went to zero and the bike began to stutter.

 

Point to note is that I have done these over the few weeks prior to the trip:

• Flushed radiator. Filled with fresh coolant (ESSO)
  
• New battery
  
• Grounding
  
• New engine oil + X1-R oil additive
  
• New spark plugs (normal Denso)
  
• New air filter
  
• New chain and sprockets set
  

Other than the needles sweeping on ignition, I thought the bike should be good to go.

 

While parked on the emergency lane we checked the usual suspects (coolant leaks, fuses and etc.) and could not detect any obvious faults. Tried to jump-start by connecting the battery to a truck battery. It started but once the cables were disconnected, the bike died shortly after. That only meant that either the rectifier or alternator (magnet coil) or both had failed. Long story short, this is the cause:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]222790[/ATTACH]

 

Note that the rectifier is ok. With a new magnet coil installed, the meter needles now do not sweep around on ignition.

 

Sorry to hear that, as usual Ah Pek was correct again the coil is the problem. SO ALL REVORIANS brace yourselves and keep asking Boon Siew to replace while you still have warranty.

 

Thanks for sharing Ram snake, this is most vital information.

 

All REVORIANS please fault sharing is crucial, hope to see you guys step forward and we can bring Boon Siew DOWN!!!! haha just kidding

 

My REVO is also having the same 2nd sweeping of the needles on ignition after about 8 months from new. Initially, it occurred only once in a while during starting in the morning. Nowadays, every morning is having this phenomenon. Other than that, performance wise is okay.

 

I have thought of sending it to Boon Siew (my warranty expiring 20 November 2011), but as always the case with most agents, I believe they will come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid liability, especially if the engine is still able to start at the first ignition. Already there's an experience by forumer LeoWai as I quote below:

 

Same here, I've been servicing my bike under Boon Siew (last 3 yrs because under warranty). This 2nd sweep happen after few months after received my brand new bike. Boon Siew also said that's battery weak & it's not under warranty. What they can do is to charge the battery for me but takes few hours. I don't like their way to handle your bike when it's still under warranty. They never check, never verify then tell you what's wrong with the bike. May be they afraid of replacing faulty parts for free to you after the check.

 

I've changed a new Yuasa battery 1 yr plus later (not at Boon Siew of course). Initially, this problem solved but not long. 2nd sweep happened to me till now almost 3yrs. But the bike still start-up fine without problem. First crank start in the morning without problem, but of course there is a 2nd sweep.

 

I've been monitoring the charging state of the battery recently by a added voltmeter. It's almost constant 14.2V measured at battery when rpm above 1400rpm. If you tuned rpm below 1400rpm, the voltage will drop. So, I think that's why you can't lowing the idling speed for revo because this can cause battery not charging due to low charging voltage on battery side.

 

So I can say that's not a big problem for me as long as the bike start without issue.

 

So, I think it'll be a waste of time if I go alone to complain to Boon Siew, unless all those REVORIANS having this problem will want to congregate and make a trip there altogether. We can then insist to Boon Siew that definitely there cannot be so many bikes with the faulty battery problem at the same time. So, they had better give us a satisfying answer to the "double sweeping" problem. What other brothers here say?

[ramsnake]

@Winners

Thanks for the suggestion to go to Boon Siew together. I think it’s a good idea. However we probably shouldn’t congregate as it is against the law

 

 

Firstly, let’s please just call this Revo specific issue as “needle-sweep-on-ignition”. This is to avoid any confusion with Spec III’s fault indicator, which is a double sweep of the needles when the key is turned to On position.

 

I agree with Winners as I believe Boon Siew would be more inclined to take this issue more seriously if we show up as a group. Nevertheless, I foresee a few issues here.

 

1) Logistics

I won’t be available from 6-13 Nov. Some other bros and sis may also not be available at the agreed upon time and date. So, to counter this I suggest that those who have this issue put their nick & first names down on this thread. Then PM your respective phone numbers to our appointed leader. I suggest doing this because I don’t want my number floating around in a public space.

 

2) Number of Riders

As mentioned before not everyone will be able to make it. I suggest getting at least 3 riders to head out to Boon Siew to represent us. Show them the list of riders and bikes involved together with the contact numbers.

 

3) Fault Tracing

Boon Siew would probably say that they have to check each bike to identify the problem specific to the respective bike. I don’t blame them for doing this and if I were running Boon Siew or any other bike shop, I would certainly do this myself. This is because each bike may present different issues with the same indicator.

 

From my experience with my previous bike and chats with the chief mechanic for the dealer/agent of my bike, the main problem mechanics face is that we don’t give them enough time to trouble-shoot in order to identify the actual fault. For example, if I experience chest pain (symptom) and from my family history indicate heart issues (other people’s experience), I wouldn’t go to the hospital and ask them to immediately do a heart surgery!

 

Likewise, some of us are experiencing the symptom (“needle-sweep-on-ignition”) and from my experience I had to replace the alternator. I hope we’re not all going to ask them to replace the alternator.

 

4) Expectations

Please do understand that what I have written in the above paragraph is simply to manage expectations. I’m just stating things as I see it and it is not my intention to flame anyone.

 

Here is another example of mis-placed expectations. There is an excellent article here on battery care. Specifically, note this paragraph:

“The biggest single harm that can be done to the life expectancy of a new battery usually occurs when it's sold. In the rush to get a new machine set up for sale or to get the customer out the door with his new replacement battery, many batteries are simply filled with electrolyte, installed and pressed into service within minutes of being unwrapped. Sound familiar? It's all wrong. What this procedure buys you is a battery that will never have more than 80% of its powerever! For this reason, many riders prefer to prep their new batteries themselves to make sure it's done correctly.”

 

One rider has told me that he doesn’t like to wait for 3-4 hours at the bike shop and not being able to do anything there. If that is the case, don’t expect the “new” battery to be 100% and do certainly expect to face the needle-sweep-on-ignition issue again.

 

Sorry for the long post…

[ramsnake]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2)

3)

4)

5)

[ldslds]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2) ldslds

3)

4)

5)

[idbiot]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2) ldslds

3) idbiot

4)

5)

[Jamil 85]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2) ldslds

3) idbiot

4) jamil

5)

[ruis145]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2) ldslds

3) idbiot

4) jamil

5) ruis 145

[thatguyhaikal]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2) ldslds

3) idbiot

4) jamil

5) ruis 145

6) Haikal

[Winners]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ramsnake/Thomas

2) ldslds

3) idbiot

4) jamil

5) ruis 145

6) Haikal

7) winners (only if before 20 Nov 11 as my bike's warranty will expire by then)

[Winners]

Hi ramsnake, below are my views and comments.

 

@Winners

Thanks for the suggestion to go to Boon Siew together. I think it’s a good idea. However we probably shouldn’t congregate as it is against the law

 

winners: Why is it against the law? We are not going into direct confrontation nor perform a demonstration at Boon Siew's office. What we want is to prove to Boon Siew (with those owners on-site) that there is such a problem and with so many bikes affected. So, it is their responsibility to resolve this issue or to get an official letter (assurance) from the manufacturer that this is normal, if they are so confident with their assessment that this 2nd sweep of the meters is normal. Definitely I'm not going to accept that it's due to a weak battery when almost all of us is experiencing this problem within a few months of a new bike delivery.

 

Furthermore there are also some who had experienced the same phenomenon again not long after changing to a new battery, eg: forumer LeoWai. How is Boon Siew going to answer to this? Don't tell me that this bike must change battery every 6 months! Isn't it ridiculous right? Even a common layman without any technical experience would not accept this explanation.

 

However, I can agree that the problem may not entirely be the cause of a pre-magneto coil failure. But at least what we want is: Why is this happening? What is the cause of this phenomenon? Can they get the manufacturer to give a written assurance and explanation.

 

Definitely, under normal circumstances, there should never be this 2nd sweep phenomenon occurring when the battery is only less than 1 year. Somewhere, something, must be wrong. My previous bike, a SPEC 3 model, had this 2nd sweep problem only after about 2.5 years from new and I can accept that because by then, the battery's condition would have deteriorated.

 

Firstly, let’s please just call this Revo specific issue as “needle-sweep-on-ignition”. This is to avoid any confusion with Spec III’s fault indicator, which is a double sweep of the needles when the key is turned to On position.

 

winners: You may be right that it could be a specific issue. But why is it not happening on the first day of a new bike? Why is it not stated in its operation manual as "a normal" issue?

 

 

I agree with Winners as I believe Boon Siew would be more inclined to take this issue more seriously if we show up as a group. Nevertheless, I foresee a few issues here.

 

1) Logistics

I won’t be available from 6-13 Nov. Some other bros and sis may also not be available at the agreed upon time and date. So, to counter this I suggest that those who have this issue put their nick & first names down on this thread. Then PM your respective phone numbers to our appointed leader. I suggest doing this because I don’t want my number floating around in a public space.

 

 

winners: I'm agreeable, but for me, it will only be effective for me to consult Boon Siew before 20 Nov 11. Otherwise, my warranty would have expired and it would then be pointless for me to pursue this matter for a free repair, if any.

 

2) Number of Riders

As mentioned before not everyone will be able to make it. I suggest getting at least 3 riders to head out to Boon Siew to represent us. Show them the list of riders and bikes involved together with the contact numbers.

 

winners: I would say the more riders present, the better. I reiterate again that we are not going to demonstrate nor confront Boon Siew. Nor are we going with any ill intention. What is wrong with all owners with this SAME problem going together to seek for a reasonable explanation from Boon Siew about why this is occurring? I see nothing wrong and there should be no prosecution whatsoever.

 

3) Fault Tracing

Boon Siew would probably say that they have to check each bike to identify the problem specific to the respective bike. I don’t blame them for doing this and if I were running Boon Siew or any other bike shop, I would certainly do this myself. This is because each bike may present different issues with the same indicator.

 

winners: Whatever they want to say, but they must be practical and reasonable with their explanation. Like I said before, the best solution for them (if they want to deny responsibility) is to get the manufacturer to certify in writing that this problem is normal for this bike model. At least we can then be more assured, unless the manufacturer itself is untrustworthy. On the other hand, if it is a manufacturing defect, then, as a reputable Japanese manufacturer, they should make good what is required. Otherwise, what is the meaning of a "recall" for in the automotive industries?

 

From my experience with my previous bike and chats with the chief mechanic for the dealer/agent of my bike, the main problem mechanics face is that we don’t give them enough time to trouble-shoot in order to identify the actual fault. For example, if I experience chest pain (symptom) and from my family history indicate heart issues (other people’s experience), I wouldn’t go to the hospital and ask them to immediately do a heart surgery!

 

Likewise, some of us are experiencing the symptom (“needle-sweep-on-ignition”) and from my experience I had to replace the alternator. I hope we’re not all going to ask them to replace the alternator.

 

 

winners: I would appreciate if you can provide your feedback eversince the replacement of your alternator. Eg: How long ago did you change your alternator? Did you also change your battery? Do you experience the 2nd sweep problem again since your last change of your alternator? These information will be good for our reference.

 

4) Expectations

Please do understand that what I have written in the above paragraph is simply to manage expectations. I’m just stating things as I see it and it is not my intention to flame anyone.

 

Here is another example of mis-placed expectations. There is an excellent article here on battery care. Specifically, note this paragraph:

“The biggest single harm that can be done to the life expectancy of a new battery usually occurs when it's sold. In the rush to get a new machine set up for sale or to get the customer out the door with his new replacement battery, many batteries are simply filled with electrolyte, installed and pressed into service within minutes of being unwrapped. Sound familiar? It's all wrong. What this procedure buys you is a battery that will never have more than 80% of its powerever! For this reason, many riders prefer to prep their new batteries themselves to make sure it's done correctly.”

 

winners: For your information, when the 2nd sweep problem occurred on my bike, I have done a full re-conditioning and recharging of the battery by myself using the reputable CTEK battery charger. However, after about 1 week, the same problem will recur again. I simply don't believe a new battery can only last 8 months of usage.

 

One rider has told me that he doesn’t like to wait for 3-4 hours at the bike shop and not being able to do anything there. If that is the case, don’t expect the “new” battery to be 100% and do certainly expect to face the needle-sweep-on-ignition issue again.

 

Sorry for the long post…

[shazwanmchaggis]

Hey peeps.

Just wanna ask if boon siew send me a letter to send back yo rectify a technical glitch, do i need to pay them??.

Anw, i'm riding a spec 3.

 

Thanks.

[GothRod]

Hey peeps.

Just wanna ask if boon siew send me a letter to send back yo rectify a technical glitch, do i need to pay them??.

Anw, i'm riding a spec 3.

 

Thanks.

 

That depends on whether warranty still valid, unless they Boon Siew recall you. Then its FOC. Normal times when you are not called back then its chargeable.

[xiaoyuer1988]

sori guys may i noe wad is 'grounding'?

[SparkerS1]

sori guys may i noe wad is 'grounding'?

 

Grounding ; Wires tat Direct the stray current back to the battery, Better response, Better mileage, Extend battery lifespan

[GothRod]

sori guys may i noe wad is 'grounding'?

 

Better electrical flow and whatever Sparker S1 said

[shazwanmchaggis]

That depends on whether warranty still valid, unless they Boon Siew recall you. Then its FOC. Normal times when you are not called back then its chargeable.

 

ohhh yes!

thank GOD. they sent me a letter to infd me they detected a valve probs in 2006 spec 3 model. -___-

hopefully its FOC. :DDD

[ldslds]

ohhh yes!

thank GOD. they sent me a letter to infd me they detected a valve probs in 2006 spec 3 model. -___-

hopefully its FOC. :DDD

 

Yup once they sent u a letter they will have a record in their system, so even if u did not bring the letter with u , u can still go and do it FOC, my rear brake light switch was recalled to change but i have not change it yet, going to wait till problem starts then go change HAHA

 

sori guys may i noe wad is 'grounding'?

 

whatever bro sparker1 and gothrod have said,just to add on, as long as u direct a stray current back to common ground, it can considered as grounding but u need to ensure that correct points are connected to common ground so as to achieved optimized result, if not ur bike ground till like wire mesh also no use if you ground the wrong point HAHA

[GothRod]

ohhh yes!

thank GOD. they sent me a letter to infd me they detected a valve probs in 2006 spec 3 model. -___-

hopefully its FOC. :DDD

 

Then its confirm FOC. Actually Boon Siew sometimes not bad de. Although the staff are sometimes quite stuck up.

 

Yup once they sent u a letter they will have a record in their system, so even if u did not bring the letter with u , u can still go and do it FOC, my rear brake light switch was recalled to change but i have not change it yet, going to wait till problem starts then go change HAHA

 

 

 

whatever bro sparker1 and gothrod have said,just to add on, as long as u direct a stray current back to common ground, it can considered as grounding but u need to ensure that correct points are connected to common ground so as to achieved optimized result, if not ur bike ground till like wire mesh also no use if you ground the wrong point HAHA

 

Ya can set up an entire HIFI system wiring but if the points not met correctly and done poorly there will be not effect after the grounding

Edited November 3, 2011 by SparkerS1

[ramsnake]

@Winners – Relax, mate. My remark about congregating was tongue-in-cheek…

 

 

Update:

 

Over the past two weeks since my alternator was replaced, the needle-sweep-on-ignition did not recur in the first few days. I was somewhat disappointed to see it happening again on the fourth or fifth day. I then started to give this issue more thought and realized something important. Of course I then kicked myself for not remembering this earlier

 

Over the few days since replacing the alternator and having the battery charged, my rides have been over short distances. On each trip, I would also stop and park at least once; occasionally twice before heading home. I realize now that this is the cause of the issue and that the Boon Siew mechanic had been right all along.

 

When the bike is started, the starter motor draws quite a bit of energy from the battery to fire up the engine. Once started, the alternator then generates all the electricity the bike needs to keep it running. However, the alternator would not be producing enough electricity to charge the battery when idling because most of the electricity produced is used to fire the plugs and run all the other systems like fuel pump, lights and etc. There is a break-even point where the electricity produced by the alternator equals that which is required to run the bike.

 

The charging process will only happen when the alternator produces its charge beyond the break-even point. In the case of the Revo, peak charge produced by the alternator is at 5,000 RPM. The charging of the battery actually begins at about 3,000 RPM (break-even point). Do also note that it takes more than 10 hours to charge a fully depleted battery with a battery charger.

 

So what happens on those trips I made over the initial few days is this: Every time I start the bike, electricity is drawn from the battery. However, because of the short trips, the battery is charged by a lesser number of units of electricity than is the drawn from it during the starts. This is of course compounded by the stop, park and start again during the short trips. Bottom line is that the battery is drained from 100% charged to less than optimum.

 

I have since confirmed my suspicions by taking longer rides. I have also installed a headlight switch. This allows me to switch off the headlight over the last 10-15 metres before I park the bike. After those longer rides, I have noted that the needles do not sweep on ignition when I start the bike again the next day.

 

As such, I urge those who are affected by this issue to consider their typical trip. If you frequently ride to the neighbourhood shops, say 2km away to buy some stuff and say, after buying whatever, you ride another 1km to have lunch before heading home. So long as you make frequent short trips, your battery will be drained within a few days to a week. It doesn’t matter if you had just used some expensive battery charger to recharge your battery. However, if your typical rides are short trips, investing in a battery charger to maintain your battery on a weekly basis or every two weeks will help to prolong the useful life of your battery. I feel it is not necessary to buy the most expensive or "best" charger out there. The Oxford chargers sold at Motoworld are good enough.

 

By the way, do note also that there is a point beyond the break-even point I mentioned, where the battery-charging rate is reduced. This happens when we are riding the bike at higher speeds and most of the electricity generated would be used to fire the plugs and other systems.

Edited November 2, 2011 by ramsnake
Edits in red for added clarity

[ramsnake]

Riders with needle-sweep-on-ignition issue

 

Please add yourself to this list if you are facing this issue.

Please keep the list going.

 

1) ldslds

2) idbiot

3) jamil

4) ruis 145

5) Haikal

6) winners (only if before 20 Nov 11 as my bike's warranty will expire by then)

[LeoWai]

....

The charging process will only happen when the alternator produces its charge beyond the break-even point. In the case of the Revo, peak charge produced by the alternator is at 5,000 RPM. The charging of the battery actually begins at about 3,000 RPM (break-even point). Do also note that it takes more than 10 hours to charge a fully depleted battery with a battery charger.

 

So what happens on those trips I made over the initial few days is this: Every time I start the bike, electricity is drawn from the battery. However, because of the short trips, the battery is charged by a lesser number of units of electricity than is the drawn from it during the starts. This is of course compounded by the stop, park and start again during the short trips. Bottom line is that the battery is drained from 100% charged to less than optimum.

 

I have since confirmed my suspicions by taking longer rides. I have also installed a headlight switch. This allows me to switch off the headlight over the last 10-15 metres before I park the bike. After those longer rides, I have noted that the needles do not sweep on ignition when I start the bike again the next day.

 

As such, I urge those who are affected by this issue to consider their typical trip. If you frequently ride to the neighbourhood shops, say 2km away to buy some stuff and say, after buying whatever, you ride another 1km to have lunch before heading home. So long as you make frequent short trips, your battery will be drained within a few days to a week. It doesn’t matter if you had just used some expensive battery charger to recharge your battery. However, if your typical rides are short trips, investing in a battery charger to maintain your battery on a weekly basis or every two weeks will help to prolong the useful life of your battery. I feel it is not necessary to buy the most expensive or "best" charger out there. The Oxford chargers sold at Motoworld are good enough.

 

By the way, do note also that there is a point beyond the break-even point I mentioned, where the battery-charging rate is reduced. This happens when we are riding the bike at higher speeds and most of the electricity generated would be used to fire the plugs and other systems.

 

Strongly agree that your bike battery might not be charged enough if you've short daily traveling distance. Electronic devices for the Revo is much more than Spec III. So it should consume more electricity than older version. However, did the firmware designers of Revo upgrade their circuit design? If yes, how to explain the "fault" information of 2nd sweep on ignition?

 

I've a question, please share your case if available. My Revo shows a constant voltage of 14.2V from all rpm (i.e. 1.4krpm to 10krpm tested so far). So, can I consider my battery is charging over the whole rpm range instead after 3krpm?

 

By the way, can anyone confirm that the alternator for Revo & Spec III are different?

 

I remember there is a magazine mentioned about "upgrade" of the alterntor for Revo using the alternator of CBR600, which is 2kg lighter. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Winners]

 

Update:

 

Over the past two weeks since my alternator was replaced, the needle-sweep-on-ignition did not recur in the first few days. I was somewhat disappointed to see it happening again on the fourth or fifth day.....

 

Hi Ramsnake,

 

So, it now seems that the cause of the 2nd sweeping of the needles is not due to the alternator after all.

 

Anyway, for your information, it's really not much use to prevent the 2nd sweeping problem with the retrofit headlight switch. I had already made 1 on my bike since day 1 and it can be selected in "OFF" mode, "halogen bulb" mode and an "LED daytime running light" mode, which I had built into the headlamp. So, when I ride during the day (which is most of the time), I'll just use the LED light in my headlamp.

 

Unfortunately, the 2nd sweeping problem will recur again. Initially, it was about once a week, then once every few days and now, every morning, even with the headlight switch set to "OFF" mode. If I charge the battery manually, the problem will recycle again. That is: once a week or 2, once every few days and every morning again after about 2 to 3 weeks. So, it's a waste of time.

 

Anyway, I am of the opinion that the fuel pump will draw a high current when the key switch is first set to "ignition" (that is before starting the engine). Although the fuel pump will stop after a second or 2, however, this action could have caused the battery to lose its power momentarily and if we were to start the engine immediately after the orange "Fuel Injection" light is off (which most riders will usually do), it may be too short time for the battery's voltage to recover. Further to that, the voltage drop caused by the heavy current consumed by the starter motor will then cause this 2nd sweeping of the meters because its circuit would have detected excessive overall voltage drop. The chances of this occurrence will be much lesser if the battery is pretty brand new at less than 6 months old.

 

My conclusion is that the battery's capacity is insufficient for this bike (which is equipped with Fuel Injection). The older carburetor model (Spec 3 and older) will experience less of this problem because there's no fuel pump to drain the battery when the key switch is set to "ignition". I am well aware that most Japanese vehicles (cars and motorcycles alike) are designed with just the minimum battery capacity needed. This whole issue is because they want to save costs as a larger capacity battery will need a larger alternator (to charge the larger capacity battery), which in turn will increase the overall manufacturing costs.

 

Therefore, I believe it's no use to see Boon Siew after all. The only way to prevent the 2nd sweeping problem is to modify the battery compartment to accommodate a larger capacity battery. But this is not really necessary as the bike will still perform as per normal with its existing battery (already proven by forumer LeoWai in his post), albeit with the annoying 2nd sweeping of the needles. Looks like we'll just have to live with it then. Cheers

[Winners]

I've a question, please share your case if available. My Revo shows a constant voltage of 14.2V from all rpm (i.e. 1.4krpm to 10krpm tested so far). So, can I consider my battery is charging over the whole rpm range instead after 3krpm?

 

As long as the voltage shows between 13.8V and 14.4V, it means that the charging circuit is performing and charging the battery normally. Of course if you want to "double confirm", you'll need to install an "Ampere" meter between the battery and the alternator (just like those in the very old cars (like the FORD CORTINA) and lorries), which is too much work to do anyway.

[LeoWai]

Looks like we'll just have to live with it then. Cheers

May be that's the trademark of Honda CB400 Revo mah...

 

As long as the voltage shows between 13.8V and 14.4V, it means that the charging circuit is performing and charging the battery normally. Of course if you want to "double confirm", you'll need to install an "Ampere" meter between the battery and the alternator (just like those in the very old cars (like the FORD CORTINA) and lorries), which is too much work to do anyway.

Ampere meter is too much work to be done leh... I think it should be working fine with only the voltmeter.