TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

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jabcb
Moto GP
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
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Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by jabcb »

That's good news.

The guys with 6V TS-series bikes aren't so lucky. I don't know of anything like the VRRPM3S that's available for 6V.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
1972TS400
On the street
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Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:44 pm
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1972 TS400
Location: Wisconsin

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by 1972TS400 »

I have installed the VRRPM3S and an AGM battery. With the bike running and the lights on, it is showing 12.75 volts. I needed to order another tail light since the last one blew out. Once I install the new tail light, I will be able to ride it again and find out how everything works. One problem I did have, and scot511 pointed how important it was from the start, was grounding. I had a ground wire from the battery to the battery box. I thought that would ground everything but it didn't. I ran another ground wire from the battery to the frame and everything is much better. Hopefully this means no more blown bulbs!
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jabcb
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by jabcb »

How high does the voltage get when you rev the bike up?
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
1972TS400
On the street
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:44 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1972 TS400
Location: Wisconsin

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by 1972TS400 »

I think it was over 13 volts. I will check it again after I install the new tail light.
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jabcb
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Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by jabcb »

13V isn't high enough unless the voltage is being dragged down by a flat battery.

Charge the battery up before you test it.
With a charged battery you should get over 14V.

The max voltage depends on limit controlled by the rectifier/regulator.
Scot511's max of 14.6V is good -- its on the high end of ok for AGM batteries.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
1972TS400
On the street
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:44 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1972 TS400
Location: Wisconsin

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by 1972TS400 »

The new tail light didn't arrive yet, but I did check the charging. When revving up, it shows around 13.75v. I will check the grounds again and try to clean them up even better and maybe run some more because the bike was showing 9v before I added the ground wire to the frame. I also noticed I blew out the low beam on an 18v headlight. I think this might have been because the bulb was a cheap $6 bulb from Ebay.
DAllen
Still in the Driveway
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Joined: Sun May 26, 2013 6:01 pm
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: TS250, T500

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by DAllen »

jabcb wrote: Most of the guys working at bike shops are probably too young to know that these vintage bikes have functioned ok for decades without voltage regulators.
The down side is that you can not use an AGM, gel or maintenance free battery.
They are correct about the battery water "boiling off".
That's why you have to add water & need the little hose that vents the battery to the bottom of your bike.
Pretty sure this applies to my 72' TS250. You have answered a few questions I've had. Thanks.
1972TS400
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Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 7:44 pm
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1972 TS400
Location: Wisconsin

Re: TS400 blowing headlight bulbs

Post by 1972TS400 »

Here's an update.

I still have been blowing out headlight bulbs. I think I am going to figure out some way to get some rubber between the headlight mounts and the forks to eat up at least a little of the vibration. It's amazing how much it vibrates when you put your hand on the headlight while driving down the road. I'm guessing that kills the bulbs. All the other lights have been working good so far!
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