Lighting Coil Testing on an ACE 100

[TheBevman]

Hello All,

The kids and I are still plugging away on their '68 ACE 100. Unfortunately, now we're encountering electrical gremlins... ones that we may have made (the worst kind.) We rewired the whole bike, per wiring diagram, and everything worked other than the head light. At present I want to test the rectifier, I see the procedure is listed in that manual, and the lighting coil.

What is testing procedure for checking the lighting coil? What power output should it have?

Its worth noting that the battery drained after sitting in the bike and connected for 3 weeks, key off. So, I think there are other issues too.

Thanks,
Bev

[matt glascock]

I'm not too sure the battery draining is an ominous sign. These little 6 volt batteries don't hold their charge that long. I keep mine on a tender if the bike won't be ridden for a couple weeks. Always worth looking at the water/acid level and checking the specific gravity of the battery acid. If low, fill with distilled water only - don't add more electrolyte. I can't seem to get more that 2-3 years out of these batteries and that's with a meticulous maintenance program. I just cant seem to get too excited about buying one of these fancy $100 batteries though.

[Al Harpster]

The lighting coil voltage output is also in the manual.

Page 26C says models AFTER frame # a-51012 there are two wires from the lighting coil.

Green wire 2.4 volts at 2500 rpm
Yellow wire 4.5 volts at 2500 rpm.
Problem is, how do you spin at 2500 and measure the thing?

Resistance spec is

.25 Ohm yellow lead
.08 ohm green lead.

Probably just check the coil for continuity. If it has any it should give some light to the bulb.

Headlight is not powered thru the rectifier. It's AC only same as tail lights

rectifier: If it's good, fine. If not I don't think it affects headlight illumination in any way.

It's for charging the battery. Keeps AC current from reaching the battery.

I've seem my batteries, new, go flat in 3 months. These 6n42a batteries are sub optimal. I dislike them.

Hope this helps.

[Al Harpster]

Oops, I missed something.

If everything works except headlight that means the tail light works.

If the tail light illuminates then the lighting coil is working. The headlight & tail light are AC all the time & run off the lighting coil.

[matt glascock]

Great info, Al. Just the essentials. I agree with you on the 6n42a batteries. Hit-or-miss - mostly miss. I am trying some 6V, sealed batteries of similar size. Comes with a rinky-dink charger cord. Built for running those duck/goose decoys with the twirly wings. This suggests deeper-cycle chops. I can get the numbers/data if anyone is interested. Got them at an outdoor/sporting goods store where the decoys and such are.

[TheBevman]

Al and Matt,

Thank you both for the info, looks like I passed right over it, proof that I need to get more familiar with my manual. In some instances, these bikes are so simple and straight forward I forget to check it before I act. Luckily, it hasn't bit me in the rear yet (fingers crossed.) I'm using a simple 6v 4Ah batt for an emergency light, found it at HomeDepot on clearance for $12... and I had a gift card so I bought some chocolate for my workforce (a.k.a. kiddos).

The kids and I do "Hodaka-Time" every Sunday from 1-3 pm. So, I'll let everyone know how troubleshooting went next week. One thing I have noticed, troubleshooting seems to be my kids least favorite part of this project. Personally, I think its important that they see the process, from beginning to end, so that they can gain a better understanding/ mechanical/ technical knowledge. The down fall... its been a 3 year project but it has been a fun one with plenty of memories.

Thanks again.

Bev

[viclioce]

Bev. Just keep reminding them to “learn it now!” You won’t always be there in the future to answer their questions & then they’ll have to figure it out in their own. Victor

[matt glascock]

100% agreed, Bev. Troubleshooting and problem solving are not Hodaka skills alone. Those are life skills which they will apply every single day of their lives. And when all is done, they will have an uber-cool motorcycle back in action and volumes of awesome memories to share with your grand kids when they teach them to ride and wrench to show for it. That, my friends, is as cool as cool gets.

[givergas]

yes and get a picture of yourself and them working on your project so when there working on it with there kids they can look it and tell them " there grandpa he's the one who started this project" lets say 40 years in the future......albert