Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Honda Tech
problem with my Africa twin RDO 7 problem with my Africa twin RDO 7
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Honda Tech Honda Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Honda riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree8Likes
  • 2 Post By ROYMACNIC
  • 2 Post By dstehouwer
  • 1 Post By RTWbyBIKE.com
  • 1 Post By dstehouwer
  • 1 Post By noel di pietro
  • 1 Post By Huan

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Mar 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 426
problem with my Africa twin RDO 7
Hi All ,was on the high way and it is my first time to ride the bike in the last 2 months at least ,
suddenly i lost all the electricity of the bike ( lights ,horn ,rpm, trip meter ,every thing ) but not the starter !!!
checked the main fuse ,the fuse box all good ..... what do you think that could be ???
thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Mar 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 14
Could be the rectifier/regulator ,mine had some strange electrical happenings before it went.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Mar 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 426
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROYMACNIC View Post
Could be the rectifier/regulator ,mine had some strange electrical happenings before it went.
thanks for your reply
but the bike start good so the charging is OK
also the extra lights (connected straight to the battery working well,,,,
i will check the rectifier/ regulator for sure ,,,,,,
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Mar 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
if the rectifier/regulator goes, it gives you either too low a charging current and you run out of juice (this is the good version!) or it goes up, running the bike at 18V or something cooking your battery and electronics. So, put a voltmeter on your AT so you can keep an eye on it. During our RTW this saved our ass twice...

Now, a sudden loss of power is a short somewhere, bad connection etc. Can be very very difficult to find, but simply check all your cables and connectors.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Apr 2015
RTWbyBIKE.com's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
Quote:
Originally Posted by dstehouwer View Post
if the rectifier/regulator goes, it gives you either too low a charging current and you run out of juice (this is the good version!) or it goes up, running the bike at 18V or something cooking your battery and electronics. So, put a voltmeter on your AT so you can keep an eye on it. During our RTW this saved our ass twice...

Now, a sudden loss of power is a short somewhere, bad connection etc. Can be very very difficult to find, but simply check all your cables and connectors.

yep, right, check at your (fully charged) battery and it should show 14.4V at 3000RPM not below 13 (lights on, (even with lights should be 14.4)) and not above 15 or you have a problem wir your rectifier/regulator (just bought a new one yestserday for our TA...) I installed a voltmeter from China for 2 € incl shipping...
__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
Posts: 276
yep, those voltmeter save the day!

We had to swap two rectifiers on our two AT's during our trip, but they were pretty high mileage too....

I also mounted the rectifiers on the left passenger footpeg - just drill two holes in the peg-mount and bolt it on. Then it gets some wind and can cool down.

I struggle to admit it - but Honda wasn't super-smart when mounting the rectifier WHICH HAS COOLING FINS ON behind that cover....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
Have you checked your mass (green) connections on the frame!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cork,Ireland
Posts: 150
Honda bikes, have one big problem and that is the fact that they fitted poor quality connectors to the original reg rec units.
The OEM SH reg recs were marginal in use and ran hot, and if the connectors between the alternator and reg got corroded the wiring can heat and melt or the connector melts.
The fix is to wire the reg output direct to battery with a fuse. and eliminate the connector between the alternator and reg unit.
Plus if you really want much less chance of the reg going bad, fit a modern FH Mosfet unit which run very cool compared the SH versions.
The Mosfet versions are easily found on most modern sportsbikes and will have the FH prefix before the serial number.
FH08, FH-010 etc
The only one that you should watch for is the CBR1000RR one as it has a really strange lead and plug which is impossible to get a sealed plug to fit apart from the stock plug.
The rest of them use Furukawa QLW connectors which are available aftermarket.
Easternbeaver.com sell wiring kits to allow the fitment of these reg units, which greatly increases electrical reliability.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 426
Hi all
Thanks a lot for your kind reply and the great information
Well I hope I can explain that in English !!
After checking most of every thing
I found out that the horn wire clip is fallen and the wire attach sometimes the metal part of the bike cause to make a short
And make all the electric mess
I don't know why it never blow the fuse ? Although it is the right fuse
So the problem is fixed by put a new plastic clip on the wire and move the horn a bit so the new clip won't get worn out again
Thanks again and ride safe always
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
No substitute for logic when it comes to electricity
Here's a guide:-
Fault Finding Guide - Motorcycle Electrical Fault Finding Chart - ElectroSport

First things first, the wiring loom and connectors have to be "good" or that tricky electricity stuff goes down routes that the bike wasn't designed for.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Africa - Best and Worst Awards rupertu Ride Tales 7 20 Jul 2016 10:53
why i travel on Africa twin ? omar mansour Which Bike? 7 23 Apr 2016 03:09
Honda Africa Twin 10 Years Review Sixtring74 Which Bike? 25 13 Sep 2015 20:11
Africa Twin Mileage dubsvibes Honda Tech 15 10 Feb 2013 12:47

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top