Trickle charger- how often and turn signals....

[portdave]

Honda regulator and stator tests over 70 volts at 5k rpm. Coil relay mod. Dynatek. All new wire harness.

I had posted a few weeks ago that my turn signals were staying on instead of flashing. Someone suggest low voltage. Sure enough my battery was low when I got home. I used the trickle charger overnight. It says when it is fully charged. Next day all is fine.

Two weeks later...I rode my bike for 4 days in a row. On day 4 my turn signals are doing the same thing. At idle my bike is dropping down to 10.5 with all my lights on including the turn signal. I am getting good voltage increase with the RPM increasing. Up to 13-14 depending on how much is on. I drive with my high beam on during the day. I also have a lot of stop and go driving and my commute is about 10 miles each way.

Starts up great every morning. I did not use the trickle charger during any of those days. Should I have to use it more often? I guess my bike is not charging my battery enough. Thanks.....

 

[bakalorz]

Honda regulator and stator tests over 70 volts at 5k rpm. Coil relay mod. Dynatek. All new wire harness.

I had posted a few weeks ago that my turn signals were staying on instead of flashing. Someone suggest low voltage. Sure enough my battery was low when I got home. I used the trickle charger overnight. It says when it is fully charged. Next day all is fine.

Two weeks later...I rode my bike for 4 days in a row. On day 4 my turn signals are doing the same thing. At idle my bike is dropping down to 10.5 with all my lights on including the turn signal. I am getting good voltage increase with the RPM increasing. Up to 13-14 depending on how much is on. I drive with my high beam on during the day. I also have a lot of stop and go driving and my commute is about 10 miles each way.

Starts up great every morning. I did not use the trickle charger during any of those days. Should I have to use it more often? I guess my bike is not charging my battery enough. Thanks.....

A lot of the GS's discharge at idle.
Since your commute is stop and go you could have issues because of that.
If you can reduce any extra load that may help.
If your idle is on the low side, you could bump it up, which will increase the charging at idle significantly.
You may have to put it on the trickle charger every night.
Make sure the trickle charger is voltage regulated so that it will not overcharge the battery

 

[portdave]

A lot of the GS's discharge at idle.
Since your commute is stop and go you could have issues because of that.
If you can reduce any extra load that may help.
If your idle is on the low side, you could bump it up, which will increase the charging at idle significantly.
You may have to put it on the trickle charger every night.
Make sure the trickle charger is voltage regulated so that it will not overcharge the battery

Thanks for your reply. I do have the neg from the reg going right to the battery. I am also wondering if I should undo the coil relay mod. I may try that. The trickle charger is voltage regulated. Only took about 40 hours on the charger last night to be fully charged. The idle is at @1300.

Once again I appreciate your thoughts. Have a great day.....

 

[Redman]

Semms like you arew charging some or you would be dieing sooner.

You say lots of stop-n-go, does that also mean lots of 35-45 mph? And if so, you doing that in top gear, maybe 2000 or 2500 rpm? If so, then at that rpm you would be not charging a lot and at stops maybe not charging at all. Try running in 4th gear with rpms up more like 3500-4000 rpm, that should make a lot of difference.
.

 

[portdave]

Semms like you arew charging some or you would be dieing sooner.

You say lots of stop-n-go, does that also mean lots of 35-45 mph? And if so, you doing that in top gear, maybe 2000 or 2500 rpm? If so, then at that rpm you would be not charging a lot and at stops maybe not charging at all. Try running in 4th gear with rpms up more like 3500-4000 rpm, that should make a lot of difference.
.

Sounds like a good idea. I do end up in 5th alot but most of the time not below 3k but your idea is a good one to just bump up the charging.

Thanks so much.

 

[rudy]

I had posted a few weeks ago that my turn signals were staying on instead of flashing. Someone suggest low voltage. Sure enough my battery was low when I got home.

So your problems with the signals was low voltage? Have you tried measuring the voltage on the battery when running? The reason why I ask is that I have this problem with my XS650 at highway speed with the rpms around 4k. They run fine other than that. I haven't taken the time to look into it, I just avoid the highways. I figure it's from overvoltage on my bike. Just a thought.

Rudy

 

[KennyJ]

Just a simple thought...my 85 550E had a horrible time flashing the signals until I changed out the stock flasher. I went with the small 2 wire automotive type and haven't had a problem since. It fits the stock wiring and stays in the stock location with a zip tie.

Kenny

 

[bonanzadave]

By the time you hit 2k rpm you should be charging 14.5 vdc. If youre not your RR has some issues. Connectors clean ? Battery got water ? Where is the sense wire connected to from the honda RR ?

 

[portdave]

So your problems with the signals was low voltage? Have you tried measuring the voltage on the battery when running? The reason why I ask is that I have this problem with my XS650 at highway speed with the rpms around 4k. They run fine other than that. I haven't taken the time to look into it, I just avoid the highways. I figure it's from overvoltage on my bike. Just a thought.

Rudy

I have checked it running and it never gets above 14.5 volts with the lights on. My turn signals working better when I am cruising as opposed to sitting at a light when I am just at idle. Thanks.

 

[portdave]

Just a simple thought...my 85 550E had a horrible time flashing the signals until I changed out the stock flasher. I went with the small 2 wire automotive type and haven't had a problem since. It fits the stock wiring and stays in the stock location with a zip tie.

Kenny

I may check that too but I definitely have low voltage at times. When fully charged the signals work fine. Just doesn't stay that way. Thanks.

 

[portdave]

By the time you hit 2k rpm you should be charging 14.5 vdc. If youre not your RR has some issues. Connectors clean ? Battery got water ? Where is the sense wire connected to from the honda RR ?

I don't get that kind of voltage at 2k. I have only had this bike for about 3 months. I had the Honda unit I got from Duane. The sense wire is hooked to the rear brake light switch. I have all new wires everywhere. Clean contacts and/or bolts have been replaced.

It seemed to be okay for the first month after all this work. I have a brand new AGM sealed battery. Maybe that is acting up?

I have to run some more tests when starting etc. and test voltages at different points. Bike does not seem to ever be weak when starting. Pretty strange.

I may have a stator that is starting to go. I have also found out this bike has a 12 pole stator that is not as efficient as the 18 pole. I would need a crank pulley from a 80 and up bike as per electrosport and that would probably help as well but for now......

 

[duaneage]

I would ground the RR to the frame, power the bike first and charge second. Replace the flasher with another and see what that does. There are a number of common grounds, one is near the horn and it provides a ground for everything in the headlight bucket. Check that connection.

Power flows from ground to positive believe it or not.

I wish you were close by, I'm sure I could figure this out if I was there. Email me your phone number and I can help you on the phone with this.

 

[portdave]

I would ground the RR to the frame, power the bike first and charge second. Replace the flasher with another and see what that does. There are a number of common grounds, one is near the horn and it provides a ground for everything in the headlight bucket. Check that connection.

Power flows from ground to positive believe it or not.

I wish you were close by, I'm sure I could figure this out if I was there. Email me your phone number and I can help you on the phone with this.

Thanks Duane. I will email you my contact info but I think I still have your number. I may be home earlier tonight. No band practice this week. I will be in touch. I need to check around for another flasher. Can I borrow one from my car? I just replaced one on my car last week.

I don't remember seeing the ground up near the horn when I rewired my main harness but I will have to look again.

I will be in touch.....

 

[bonanzadave]

The sense wire is hooked to the rear brake light switch.

Have you measured that sense wire with the key on ? Should be steady battery voltage unless yo have it hooked up to the wrong side of the brake light switch.

Take Duane up on his offer. Its sometimes easier over the phone.

 

[portdave]

Have you measured that sense wire with the key on ? Should be steady battery voltage unless yo have it hooked up to the wrong side of the brake light switch.

Take Duane up on his offer. Its sometimes easier over the phone.

Thanks Dave. I think I have it right but I will check the voltage and make sure that I have it on the right side of the brake switch.

 

[duaneage]

Take Duane up on his offer. Its sometimes easier over the phone.

not the first time I've done phone support for electrical and won't be the last. I am available after 7:30 PM eastern time

 

[portdave]

not the first time I've done phone support for electrical and won't be the last. I am available after 7:30 PM eastern time

Sent you an email....This is sure helping me get my post count up!!!