Ignition switch & charging issue

glad to hear that you have found the problem ,....when you initially said that you had 2v drop through the ignition switch I assumed that you were testing the drop with switch disconnected ie not in circuit.;)
 
- - - checked slip rings 1.0 ohms.
:-(Checked slip rings to ground & found no continuity ;-)
I'm tearing the bike down for a rebuild this winter so I was planning on changing the charging system anyway.
I was just hoping for a few more rides
Before it got cold...
Wanted to thank everyone for all the help!!!

Hi Fabricator,
as of yesterday's snowfall my XS650 has my snowblower parked in front of it so my next ride will be next year.
But all that's needed for you to get a few more rides before it gets cold is to replace your partially shorted rotor with a re-wound unit.
Like the retiredgentleman sez, stay with the stock charging system because PMA's suck.
 
I've already talked to Gary at custom
Rewind... I'm sticking with the factory charging system.
Thanks again for all the help.
That was relatively painless diagnosis.
PMA got flushed when I realized I was going to have to upgrade my electronic
Ignition system. Too much money $
 
glad to hear that you have found the problem ,....when you initially said that you had 2v drop through the ignition switch I assumed that you were testing the drop with switch disconnected ie not in circuit.;)
The only way that voltage drop can be tested is with the switch in the normal circuit and current flowing through the switch.
With the switch removed from the circuit, you can only measure resistance.
 
What!!! You are sticking with the stock charging system!!! PMA v's Stock Alternator always makes for such beautiful reading on this forum. Couldn't we just argue about it a little? If not then perhaps I will just have to reach for the bottom draw and flick through my old welding supply calendars.
 
The only way that voltage drop can be tested is with the switch in the normal circuit and current flowing through the switch.
With the switch removed from the circuit, you can only measure resistance.

you cannot accurately measure potential difference across the switch if it is in circuit on the bike as you will not know where other potential differences are in the circuit from the battery positive through the switch and back to the battery negative via the frame and other components.
 
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peanut;
We are only talking about the voltage drop across the ignition switch, not the entire route from battery and back to battery.
Read your post #22.

how would you propose to test , isolate and determine the potential difference that is a result of the just the switch in isolation when it is in circuit with other components and wiring ?
 
peanut;
In any series circuit, there can be 2, 3, 4 or even 10 individual devices. Each device will have its own different resistance, and thus each device will have a different voltage drop. Lets say there are 6 devices, a fuse, ignition switch, another fuse,a kill switch, an ignition coil,
and a Pamco transistor. When there is current flowing through all of them, each one will have a voltage drop, and that voltage drop is easily measured by placing your VOM test probes on each side of that specific device.
https://www.swtc.edu/Ag_Power/electrical/lecture/series_circuits.htm
 
peanut;
In any series circuit, there can be 2, 3, 4 or even 10 individual devices. Each device will have its own different resistance, and thus each device will have a different voltage drop. Lets say there are 6 devices, a fuse, ignition switch, another fuse,a kill switch, an ignition coil,
and a Pamco transistor. When there is current flowing through all of them, each one will have a voltage drop, and that voltage drop is easily measured by placing your VOM test probes on each side of that specific device.
https://www.swtc.edu/Ag_Power/electrical/lecture/series_circuits.htm
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