Posted by Terry Coombs on June 9, 2009, 7:00 pm
I've always been a bit concerned about the reading I get from my voltmeter
. I understand a bit of a dip as loads increase , but mine's getting a bit
too much dip to suit me . At 3k RPM's , lights off , 14 volts . Lights on ,
it drops to a bit over 13 . Add the radio , and it's now at around 12.5 ,
and when I turn on the passing lamps (35w bulbs , same as stock) it's down
to around 11.5 . And I think that's just too low . Seems to be worse in hot
weather . A few weeks ago , I watched the v-meter slowly drop as my ride to
work progressed . Figgered the aux breaker might be dyin' from the increased
load , since I recently switched the pass lamps over there from the
headlight circuit . So I replaced it with a new one I had . Seemed to help
with the slow drop , but overall it's still too low .
I've been wondering if the starter relay might be getting tired . Some
times when it's sat for a while , the starter doesn't pull in right away ...
others it just spins right up . Got to wondering of the contacts in that
relay might be getting worn/pitted/oxidized ...
Before you ask , the grounds are good , there are no dirty connections in
the harness , and I've added a 12 ga wire in parallel from the relay to the
breakers . Going to check battery connections tonight , and electrolyte
level (can't remember if that's an AGM or L/A bat ...) just to eliminate
those as possible causes .
Oh Shirley , a round , I've made them all thirsty .
--
Snag
every answer
leads to another
question
Posted by Arie Bresser on June 9, 2009, 7:19 pm
"Terry Coombs" wrote...
> I've always been a bit concerned about the reading I get from my
> voltmeter . I understand a bit of a dip as loads increase , but mine's
> getting a bit too much dip to suit me . At 3k RPM's , lights off , 14
> volts . Lights on , it drops to a bit over 13 . Add the radio , and it's
> now at around 12.5 , and when I turn on the passing lamps (35w bulbs ,
> same as stock) it's down to around 11.5 . And I think that's just too low
> . Seems to be worse in hot weather . A few weeks ago , I watched the
> v-meter slowly drop as my ride to work progressed . Figgered the aux
> breaker might be dyin' from the increased load , since I recently switched
> the pass lamps over there from the headlight circuit . So I replaced it
> with a new one I had . Seemed to help with the slow drop , but overall
> it's still too low .
> I've been wondering if the starter relay might be getting tired . Some
> times when it's sat for a while , the starter doesn't pull in right away
> ... others it just spins right up . Got to wondering of the contacts in
> that relay might be getting worn/pitted/oxidized ...
> Before you ask , the grounds are good , there are no dirty connections in
> the harness , and I've added a 12 ga wire in parallel from the relay to
> the breakers . Going to check battery connections tonight , and
> electrolyte level (can't remember if that's an AGM or L/A bat ...) just to
> eliminate those as possible causes .
> Oh Shirley , a round , I've made them all thirsty .
> --
> Snag
Never trust a factory voltmeter.
Hook up a real voltmeter and check it out.
And yes.... 11.5 vdc is too low.
That is a losing proposition.
Posted by Terry Coombs on June 9, 2009, 8:41 pm
Arie Bresser wrote:
> "Terry Coombs" wrote...
>> I've always been a bit concerned about the reading I get from my
>> voltmeter . I understand a bit of a dip as loads increase , but
>> mine's getting a bit too much dip to suit me .
> Never trust a factory voltmeter.
> Hook up a real voltmeter and check it out.
> And yes.... 11.5 vdc is too low.
> That is a losing proposition.
Got the meter out , and it's not quite as bad as the factory unit sez .
Measured at the lighter plug , it's dropping to just a hair over 12 with
everything on .
Decided it might be a good idea to check at the battery too , got 13v
with the motor off , and a good solid 14v at anything over 1800 RPM's no
matter the load . Looks like the problem is either in the wiring from the
main breaker to the key and back to the relay, the relay itself , or the 40a
breaker that feeds it all .
--
Snag
every answer
leads to another
question
Posted by Arie Bresser on June 9, 2009, 10:14 pm
"Terry Coombs" wrote...
> Looks like the problem is either in the wiring from the main breaker to
> the key and back to the relay, the relay itself , or the 40a breaker that
> feeds it all .
> --
> Snag
Or you just have a crappy voltage gauge on the dash.
If it is reading correctly with a real meter you do not have a problem.
But what do I know.
Posted by Greasy Rider on June 10, 2009, 4:11 pm
(snipped)
I had a similar problem with my 1997 FLHTC. New battery and new H-D
voltage regulator and that held up for about a year. When problem
returned I decided to go to another brand for the regulator. Thirty
months later and 13.2 VDC almost all the time.
Cycle Electrics CE445-97 or Drag Specialties DS-313075. I used the
Cycle Electrics (no affiliation) and I would imagine that -97 is for
my model year. One year warranty beats the H-D zero warranty on all
electric items.
One thing that complicated the start problem..... a sluggish jack
shaft.
No more problems,
Ride safe,
Greasy
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> voltmeter . I understand a bit of a dip as loads increase , but mine's
> getting a bit too much dip to suit me . At 3k RPM's , lights off , 14
> volts . Lights on , it drops to a bit over 13 . Add the radio , and it's
> now at around 12.5 , and when I turn on the passing lamps (35w bulbs ,
> same as stock) it's down to around 11.5 . And I think that's just too low
> . Seems to be worse in hot weather . A few weeks ago , I watched the
> v-meter slowly drop as my ride to work progressed . Figgered the aux
> breaker might be dyin' from the increased load , since I recently switched
> the pass lamps over there from the headlight circuit . So I replaced it
> with a new one I had . Seemed to help with the slow drop , but overall
> it's still too low .
> I've been wondering if the starter relay might be getting tired . Some
> times when it's sat for a while , the starter doesn't pull in right away
> ... others it just spins right up . Got to wondering of the contacts in
> that relay might be getting worn/pitted/oxidized ...
> Before you ask , the grounds are good , there are no dirty connections in
> the harness , and I've added a 12 ga wire in parallel from the relay to
> the breakers . Going to check battery connections tonight , and
> electrolyte level (can't remember if that's an AGM or L/A bat ...) just to
> eliminate those as possible causes .
> Oh Shirley , a round , I've made them all thirsty .
> --
> Snag