All motorcycles need a source of electricity. Even simple single cylinder kick-start dirt bikes require current to supply the ignition system with the power needed to create a spark. Larger and more power-hungry motorcycles with a radio, heated grips and accessories such as GPS and auxiliary lights will require a lot more juice.
Keep reading to learn about motorcycle alternators, stators and the differences between these two devices. It turns motion into current. It is an all-in-one style unit that supplies the needed power to the vehicle.
Image credit Krishna Auto Electric. While the term alternator is commonly associated with automotive style units, the official definition is: a device that creates Alternating Current AC power from mechanical motion. Motorcycles generate power like a car, however they do it in a slightly different fashion. Rather than being an externally mounted unit, a stator is positioned inside the engine and looks like this:. Image credit DB Electrical.
As engine speed increases, the stator will put out more and more power, and if left unregulated, can cause damage. A motorcycle alternator is a device that takes the existing mechanical motion of an engine and creates electrical current. To generate electricity, three things are required: motion, a magnet, and a coil of wire. The motion comes from the rotational nature of an engine, and the magnet and coil of wire are added to complete the requirements for generating power.
Additionally, motorcycles need DC, or direct current, to power the electrical systems. The simple answer to this question is yes—however very few automotive style external all-in-one alternators exist on motorcycles. Simply put, a stator works together with a rectifier regulator to accomplish the same outcome as an alternator—to generate the DC power required to operate the motorcycle, ATV, side-by-side, etc.
The stator is the coil of wire housed inside the engine case. A magnet on a shaft spins within the stator, creating alternating current AC. When trying to understand the difference between a stator and an alternator, we first need to identify what specifically we are comparing. A motorcycle stator is a component of the electrical system that, when combined with a rotating magnet, creates AC current.
Stators are inside the engine case. An automotive style alternator is a fully self-contained, externally mounted unit that creates DC current. Another difference between stators and automotive style alternators is the type of magnet uses. Stators use a permanent magnet, and automotive alternators use an electro-magnet. As stated above, a stator is one component of the motorcycle charging systems. If a dead motorcycle battery causes a starting issue, we often assume the battery is faulty.
Typically, this is correct, as motorcycle batteries fail more frequently than stators fail. However, before assuming the battery is at fault and installing a brand new one, an experienced technician will rule out the charging as the cause of the problem. If the motorcycle charging system is not properly charging the battery, simply replacing it will not solve the issue.
Additionally, a discharged battery will need to be brought up to full charge prior to static or load testing it. A technician uses a multimeter to test a stator, either with or without a running engine. With the engine off, a technician can test for a broken winding wire. With the engine running, a technician can test voltage going into the battery. Using a series of tests and chronological steps, a technician can rule out faults in the charging system, determining if the battery is ultimately the cause of the no-start scenario.
Motorcycle and powersports technicians regularly work with and test electrical system components. Understanding how the components interact with one another is critical for effective diagnosis and repair. Stators, on the other hand, are a component that will require testing and a thorough understanding of how they work. As with any system on a vehicle, once we peel back the mystery and understand how they should work, and how they typically fail, a technician will be more comfortable and confident with diagnosing, servicing, and replacing components.
Wondering what types of jobs motorcycle technicians can pursue? Check out our career guide. Ever wonder what the differences between 2 stroke vs. Find out here.
Lance Smeal is a graduate of the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute. This is his story. This rate excludes graduates not available for employment because of continuing education, military service, health, incarceration, death or international student status. The Car Advertiser does not hold responsibility for any damage caused resulting from following various sections in the article described. Find motorcycles for sale Search. How to adjust motorcycle idle speed? Free Motorcycle Advertising.
Sena SMH5 Review. Action Camera for Motorcycle Dash Cam. How to refurbish motorcycle brake calipers? See Offer. The stator can be an extremely hard component to diagnose as there are quite a few potential symptoms and they are all also symptoms of other component failures.
While a stator is dying, it can produce a weak spark, causing the engine to miss or run poorly. Symptoms are often worsened as the engine warms up. The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark also known as misfiring. Hard starts and a poorly running engine can also be clues that your stator needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
Replacing the stator is not too complicated and requires a socket set and some heat resistant gasket repair silicone only. On Honda Fireblades the stator is located on the left hand side behind the crash protector. They are stationary and rotating parts of any system that generates electricity.
When they stop working seamlessly, they need repair or replacement. If you have a short to ground then you have no output from the stator. Find where your 3 stator wires are.
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