All buttoned up and starting well with the new arrangement. The bad news? I noticed no charge showing on the ammeter. After tracing through I have plenty of AC volts arriving at the (solid state) rectifier but nowt coming out of it. So it looks as though that has died. Sigh. Side panel & toolbox off yet again to get very limited access to the rectifier fastening bolt. Am I ever going to ride this bike?
Not the rectifier...
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Not so.....
There are several NOT SO statements. here. 'No charge on Ammeter', this does not mean the battery is not charging. If the output of the rectifier or regulator rectifier goes direct to the battery then the battery receives a charge but it does NOT go via the Ammeter. The output of the rectifier must be connected to the side of the ammeter that goes to the lights and/or ignition switch ie the load side. If there is any doubt in this department then measure the battery voltage, is it rising when the engine is run-ie the battery is charging.
The out-put of the rectifier, does NOT have 'nowt coming out of it' the output of the rectifier MUST see the battery even if the rectifier is miss wired to go straight to the battery, And of course if the battery voltage is rising with the engine, then the battery is charging, (but miss wired with regard to the Ammeter)
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Easy check
Start the bike in the shed and turn the headlight on. Rev it up. Does the headlight get brighter? If so, the charging is fine.
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Thanks both...
... I do understand how the system works and it is wired as you describe Al. I found the problem rapidly after getting the rectifier out and checking it (all diodes showed correctly). A bullet connector on the brown/white wire to the ammeter had parted company with its sleeve. I'd been measuring output of the rectifier / Zener AFTER this. Memo to self: check easy things first. However it's given me the opportunity to relocate the rectifier so it's much easier to get at and remove if necessary.
Onwards and upwards!
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... which checks out OK on all 4 legs. Must be a wire disconnected somewhere. Power is getting to the ammeter as the headlight shows a discharge when switched on and my auxiliary battery relay is being energised. But it's too hot to carry on today. A nice glass of something refreshing is called for.
At least I've revised the rectifier mounting so I can get at it without dismantling half the bike.