Slow Starter

Did the new earth lead sort the slow starting?
I think I've read that the original leads including the starter motor lead are a bit on the thin side, good idea to get thicker ones fitted.

 

As well as the earth go through all the high current wires and connectors cleaning them and sealing with di-electric grease. Don't forget the red cable from the solenoid to the starter motor. As it is on the bottom of the engine it gets a lot of crap over it and will corrode.

 

I would suggest that if it started smoking it may have corroded and provided bad current flow causing it to heat up. To upgrade starter wires is easy. Get nice thick wires about 10mm and it's one earth battery to the frame/engine and one live battery to the starter solenoid then solenoid to starter motor. I use contralube to protect the contacts. Keeps moisture out.

 

Smoking wires suggests a short or overcharging.............I would be changing the reg/rec.........I bet it is getting very hot and its the OEM version.............

......either that or the battery has developed an internal fault......

AL

 

Worth doing a search on this Forum Steve as covered many times. I should mention that regulator can often get the blame when in fact it's the wires that 'talk' to it at fault going high resistance/open circuit due to corrosion, typically the inline connector plugs on the yellow wires also the earth to the regulator.

 

I forgot to mention that point, thanks Chris......

My yellow wires are connected by large (yellow) crimp connectors and sealed with silicon.......not had an issue with them.

For the OP's benefit, the OEM regulator will have Ducati imprinted on it.........they normally get replaced with an Electrex RR51 reg/rec.

From what I have read and heard, most of the SS smoking and fire problems stem from the OEM reg/rec........It is supposed to have protection from the big 30A fuse next the battery, but it seems in most cases of critical failure of the reg/rec, the fuse has been found to be OK.

The RR51 doesn't use that fuse (although I see no reason why it can't).

As Chris said, making the reg/rec earth point good and ensuring the heat transfer plate is clean and making good contact is worth a check......

 

yep, just to add/explain about resistance in the interconnecting wires between alternator and regulator. The reg unit can get a false return from the alternator as a result which in turn results in the regulator charging at a higher rate than necessary which then results in the battery 'cooking'. This seems to be more common on early Monsters than SS/Elefant and the only reason that comes to mind is that the above mentioned connectors and earths are not shielded from the elements as on the other two. I always look for the tell-tale acid stripped paint on the frame tubes on the battery breather side of any of the above and the Monster wins hands down.

 

Just uprated my starter and earth cables, connections were crudded up too, what a difference, choke on, press the starter and instant start and I mean instant, don't even here it turning over, absolutely the best starting bike ever.
Ducatis are brilliant machines sometimes ruined by something stupid.
My 900 ss was neglected and abused by the previous owner, now it's in safe but poor hands.

 

You mean this????



The RR51 comes with some vague wiring diagram, but it takes a bit of thought to finish things off.....

They say fit a complete new negative wire (green) and a complete new positive (red); however, I see no reason as to why the unused red with the big fuse can't be used......all it does is protect the OEM reg/rec anyway.

Make sure you insulate the unused red wire (if you don't use it) and the unused red/black.

AL

 

I changed the connectors on mine as they were old and past it. Superseal are the best. I would recommend that, although the proper tool is required which I had to buy. It's worth it as most connections use them. I made up my own loom using 99 percent new connectors and cable.

Should say I meant this was for the rectifier

 

I got mine made up at work from some larger size (cross sectional area) cable with loads of individual strands, can't remember what size it was.

I'll have a look in my shed if I've still got the old cables and get uprated starter and earth made up at work next week using my old cables as patterns and post them to you if that's any use?

If you are in a hurry, I bet any auto electrician could make you up cables of a larger cross sectional area with the appropriate size crimps and the crimped ends heat shrinked.

There might even be a kit you can get with uprated cables.

I'll check my shed tomorrow.
Neil

 

So why did Hairy Wolfhound Downvote the Reg/Rec wiring diagram post?

The OP asked for details and he got them.........

 

There's a company online called Polevolt.

They supply almost anything you could want wiring wise for the ss. This is where I get most stuff.

I made up my own starter cables. It's really easy if you have the right tools. A good 25w or above iron as cables are think and a heat gun for heat shrink. It's cheaper to make your own but I have seen kits. 30-40 quid usually.

 

Sorry, I was trying to quote something and must have done it by mistake.

 

Odd, all this cable business..........I still have OEM skinny stuff fitted, and apart from a couple of instances when either I mis-thumbed the button or the starter got stuck, mine starts first time with what is at least a 7 year old lead/acid battery (Yuasa copy) which I also think loses it's best over a two week lay off.

 

I should bl**dy think so!


S'okay, I was just puzzled that's all..............