After 5 yrs and about 2500 miles my Scram has it`s first failure an electrical problem.

For some reason none of the lights (head or tail) work. There`s power to them but all the bulbs seem to be blown.

Could the voltage regulator be bad? Or is it something else? It`s been running fine and all the dash lights work. I cleaned the switch on the handle bars, cleaned all the connections under the nose piece. Also the awd works and thats electrical. I put in a new battery earlier this summer.

I was preparing for our trip to Wayne National Forest when I noticed I rarely ride after dark.

BTW those head light bulbs are $25 a piece ouch[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] does anyone know of a less expensive alternative.

Thanks Guys !!!

 

When you installed the new battery did you start the bike with the pull
start before the battery was connected? This causes some problems with
the lights sometimes!

 

Take the bulbs into an auto parts store and see if you can find a cheaper alternative.

 

All the bulbs I ever replaced on my Polaris machines were easy to find, and much cheaper at NAPA, just take the old bulb in or get the # off it. I don't think they last quite as long, probably due to vibration, but they still go a long time.

Also, most things that burn out all the bulbs are due to running your machine with either a dead battery, or without a battery. If there isn't enough juice to at least spin the starter motor, you are pressing your luck. Regulators have been known to go bad, though, too. SOmetimes, they just get a wire pulled loose. The regulator is that little box with wires coming out of it you can just see through the grille (is clear to one side, near the top on my Xplorer). Be sure all the wires are connected tightly.

Good luck

Farmr

 

OK I think I caused this problem. I did ride it 1 time when the battery was dead and I had to pull start it. It got dark before we got back to the truck and when I turned on the lights they worked for a few minutes then quit. I had to ride between people with lights a couple of miles to get back. I replaced the battery after that and have ridden several times since but have never tried the lights.

So my question to all of you is did I burn out the voltage regulator or the bulbs or both? Also can you check a voltage regulator with a volt meter? I hate to buy it if it`s not needed and I can`t return it because it`s an electrical part.

 

Make sure all the connections from the voltage regulator and battery are clean. With the motor and ignition switch off measure the voltage across the battery posts. Crank the bike with the electric starter and measure the voltage again at idle. Make sure all accessories are off (lights, etc.). You should see voltage of around 12-13 volts assuming your battery is in good shape. Rev up to 3000 rpms and measure the voltage again. At 3000 rpms the voltage should be about 13.5-14.5 volts. If it is, your voltage regulator is okay. If the 3000 rpm voltage is low or higher than 15, you need to troubleshoot further.

ElectrexUSA has a great fault finding flow chart on their website that describes troubleshooting a stator-based electrical system.

Good Luck.

SurferSam

 

Thanks surfersam I will check it out tonite.

 

If you ever pullstart your bike without a battery (or a completely dead battery), the voltage regulator will often "spike" the electrical system when the bike first starts. The voltage may go as high as 50 volts. This is what blew your bulbs. The voltage regulator needs voltage coming into it from the battery to regulate the voltage going out of it from the engine flywheel stator. My voltage regulator shorted out internally after I pullstarted my bike and the voltage regulator literallly melted. The root cause- I left the ignition switch on overnight and drained the battery to 0 volts. I was in a hurry to ride and did not use the charger to charge the battery and start the bike. It cost me $59.99 plus tax for a new voltage regulator.

Theoretically, you could use a voltage regulator from any stator-based electrical system like those on motorcycles. You would need to find one with 3 pick-up wires from the stator for the ac voltage inputs, 1 chassis ground, 1 +12-volt to the battery/ignition switch, and 1 -12-volt electrical system ground. It needs to handle roughly 250-300 watts, be waterproof, and have a good heat sink.

SurferSam

 

Thanks everyone for the help!!!
I checked the voltage regulator it was 14.7v @ idle & 3000 rpm + or -. I could not find any bulbs that would fit so I had buy the Polaris ones. The new bulbs lasted for the whole weekend so I can assume the regulator is good.

 

Glad everything is good. Include checking the water level in your battery in your preventive maintenance every month or so. It will probably need a little distilled water.

SurferSam