TS125: smoking voltage regulator

[ricklincs45]

Hello Everyone,

I'm finally back on with trying to sort the TS after a long lay-off. She now runs, but I did notice smoke coming off the insulation on one of the regulator wires (an original mechanical unit). I've since tried the electrics with the engine not running, and nothing untoward happens, so am assuming it's connected to the engine running.

None of the electrics have been chopped/messed about with, though various lights currently don't work. The connections within the regulator are age-corroded - don't know if that's anything to do with it.

At the moment I'm trying to get an idea of what to look for. I'm assuming it was smoking due to too much current going through the wire, but that's about the limit of my electrical knowledge.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

[MichaelTorre]

Can you hook an amp meter in series from the
Generator to the regulator ?
Or can you hook a voltmeter to battery to see if it over charging ?

You need more information on the system health.

Smoke and electricity are never a good combination......one of the jokes
in the electrical world is. "I let the smoke out".
The component has a limited amount of smoke , the joke goes, and if you let it all out,
it ceases to function.
M

[ricklincs45]

Hi Michael,

I ended-up speaking to a guy who restores old Brit' bikes (they also have these mechanical regulators). He replaces the mechanical units for solid-state ones as a matter-of-course, so I've bought a s/s unit to replace mine. Just need to get it wired in correctly now; the instructions appear to relate to magneto ignition systems.

Rick

[MichaelTorre]

sadly , this seem to be the way of the world now.

What was once a simple adjustment for decades, no, generations, of
vehicle owners is now relegated to "mystery file" and tossed out.

instead our processes, and needs are entrusted to the micro-chip.

assuredly, anyone who wants to understand the mechanical regulator
can explore and work with it. while we still have them.

'cmon guys, at least try........m-