PC800 Stator

What is a stator?

The PC has an alternator like a car. The automotive alternator components are usually a unit, often with the voltage regulator built in. On the PC the separate parts are on the left side of the engine with the rotor mounted on the end of the crankshaft, and the stator mounted in the engine case and a separate voltage regulator. On both, electricity is generated when the field produced by the electromagnets in the rotor moves through the stator's stationary coils of wire. (thanks to Jim Randall)

What is this stator problem?

If you have an '89 and are not sure that it has a good stator, I would recommend installing some kind of charging system indicator.

An ammeter is nice but it's a little work to install. Tosh Konya points out that the voltage meter is the better of the two choices because it gives an indication of battery cranking voltage. An ammeter could show in the green while the battery gets progressively weaker, unbeknowst to the rider. As an added plus, a voltage indicator / LED panel is far easier to wire than an ammeter.

The PC800 mailing list archives say that Bryce Ulrich installed a cute little device with a tricolor LED, red for low voltage, yellow for marginal, and green for charge voltage, which I think is perfect. Tim Davies got his from Sport Touring Accessories, Dillsboro, NC

Will Edwards got a nice, small triangular battery monitor made by Electrical Connection in Knoxville, TN. Here are some snaps of it in May 2000. Tim Davies recommends that you think of a way to obscure the LEDs, they are too bright for night.

If you know that your charging system isn't working, it's no big deal, even on a long trip. You can call home, order a new stator (and/or voltage regulator) and change your riding habits -- disconnect the headlight, ride during the day to conserve the battery, and charge the battery in the evenings or swap batteries with a buddy each day.

Testing the stator and voltage regulator

• If the battery is getting reasonable voltage and current when the engine's running, they're OK.
• Stator wires: each of the three stator wires should have continuity with the others. None of them should have continuity with ground.
• Voltage Regulator: test the stator. If the stator is OK, replace the VR. if that fixes it, it was the VR.

Changing the stator is couple hours' work for a reasonably competent mechanic including taking body panels off. Don't forget to also order the cover gaskets &c.

The stator and voltage regulator do seem to fail together, based on data in the PC Maint/Repair database -- pull up info on '89s and the Electrical subsystem.