Electrical System; Operational Description; Ignition Circuit - Honda CB350 Repair Manual

The same type of electrical system is
used on all models covered in this man—
ual.
Ignition is by means of battery—and—
coil, the battery also being used to power
the lights and accessories.
Battery charging is accomplished by
means of an alternator with a per—
manently—magnetized rotor. Alternator
output (AC) is changed to direct current
(DC) by the rectifier, and excess alterna—
tor: output is grounded by the pointless
voltage regulator. B
Most of the electrical tests described in
this chapter can be carried out with an
ohmmeter or continuity light, although a
voltmeter and ammeter are required for
alternator output and regulator tests.
A continuity light, consisting of a small
bulb, battery, and leads is very handyto
have and can often be used in place ofan
ohmmeter. While the results obtained
with a continuity light are not always
conclusive, it can help trace troubles.
NOTE: The following precautions
should be observed when carrying out
electrical system tests.
1. Be positive that battery connections
are not reversed. This will burn out the
rectifier almost immediately.
2. Be certain that all electrical connec—
tions are noted before disconnecting
111
them, so that they may be reconnected
properly.
3. If the battery is being charged in the
motorcycle, the battery terminals must
be disconnected, or the voltage regulator
may be damaged.
4. Never disconnect the battery while
the engine is running.
5. Check battery condition first, before
carrying out any other charging system
checks.
Operational Description
IGNITION CIRCUIT
The ignition circuit consists of the bat—
tery, breaker points, condensers, ignition
coils, spark plug leads, and caps.
Theignition circuit for each cylinderis
independent of the other, except for the
common power source (the battery).
The contact breakers are mounted on a
plate and are opened and closed by a
breaker cam on the left—side of the cam—
shaft. The circuit is completed by the ig—
nition coils and condensers mounted be—
neath the gas tank. The ignition coils
consist of two windings of wire around an