Potential charging problem

[pddgm]

I finally got to take the trike out yesterday (1st time in a month) The battery was almost dead, so had to charge it for a while. Once it started and I got it warmed up and took it down the road, I checked the gauges and notice the warning light on the amp gauge was on and the gauge was showing 10 or 11 amps but not 12 or over. I rode it back and put the trickle charger on it, to finish topping off the charge. Any suggestions where I should start looking for the problem. I checked the alternator belt and it is tight.


Joe

[slick rick]

Alternator or generator ?????????? If gen it could be regulator, if so use nothing but Bosch !!!!! If alternator it's simply not charging enough .....click below great source of information

Search Results

Rob and Dave's Aircooled Volkswagen Pages


www.vw-resource.com

[pddgm]

Alternator or generator ?????????? If gen it could be regulator, if so use nothing but Bosch !!!!! If alternator it's simply not charging enough

It's an alternator, at least that is what it looks like to me.


Joe

[slick rick]

Click on the link ,,,a lot of great information and good luck . Does it have a voltage regulator if not it will be a alternator

[Rsw]

Link took me to the main page

http://www.vw-resource.com/output.html

http://www.vw-resource.com/generator.html

[vw driver]

If you have a battery with removable caps check the water level. If low add distilled water. Also make sure all connections are clean and tight including ground connections. Make sure battery terminal connections are clean and tight.
This is a generator:

This is an alternator:

Trouble shooting procedures will vary depending on which you have.

[lboos]

How old is the batt. you said it sat for a mo. swap the batt with a known good batt. like the one in your car, and go from there, a bad batt. can cause all kinds of elect. prob's. it only takes a few min's for this simple task.
just a thought, just use the kiss system, some times it works.