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[Dash Riprock]

To all the motolights users out there.....

I had the dealer install mine and hook it up to the AUX switch on my Ultra. They work fine....except, when I come to a stop and the bike is at idle....the voltage gauge drops to 12 or just slightly below. I had the dealer check it and they said my alternator was "just" barely at spec, so they replaced it under warranty. (nice!). However, the volt meter reads the same after the new alternator was installed. The dealer says I should not worry because the gauge isn't very accurate. Easy for them to say.....

I fear I'm getting a drain on the battery by using the motolights. I do keep the bike on a battery tender anytime it is not running.

Does anyone else have this same experience with your volt meter? What does yours read when you have the lights on and are stopped at idle?

Thanks for your feedback...I may be worrying about nothing, but I'd like other real world feedback.

Thanks,

Dash

aka Mike

[DOOFUS]

R u using the splitter or r they direct wired???

[tennisman]

I don't use motolights, but my CUSE does not go below about 12.5 volts at idle even with heated gear (jacket liner and gloves) turned on.  However, my '96 Softail goes under 12 volts at idle all the time.  That's not a big issue as normally it charges the battery above idle and, unless I'm in extremely heavy traffic or parade duty, it won't drain the battery.
If you have much concern, do this.  After a ride and you park the bike, put a VOM (volt ohmeter) across the battery (use your battery tender connections).  You should find the battery voltage reading with the bike shut off after a ride exceeding 12.7 volts.  My bikes read around 13 volts.

T

[grc]

To all the motolights users out there.....

I had the dealer install mine and hook it up to the AUX switch on my Ultra. They work fine....except, when I come to a stop and the bike is at idle....the voltage gauge drops to 12 or just slightly below. I had the dealer check it and they said my alternator was "just" barely at spec, so they replaced it under warranty. (nice!). However, the volt meter reads the same after the new alternator was installed. The dealer says I should not worry because the gauge isn't very accurate. Easy for them to say.....

I fear I'm getting a drain on the battery by using the motolights. I do keep the bike on a battery tender anytime it is not running.

Does anyone else have this same experience with your volt meter? What does yours read when you have the lights on and are stopped at idle?

Thanks for your feedback...I may be worrying about nothing, but I'd like other real world feedback.

Thanks,

Dash

aka Mike

Did your dealership offer to share any real information, such as total current draw, net charge/discharge at idle with all accessories on, etc.?  Or did they just leave it at "Don't worry about it"? 

They did tell you the truth about the stock volt guage, it's a POS that's about as useful as the air temp gauge.  If you happen to have a multimeter, use the voltmeter to check voltage at the battery as tennisman suggested.  Since a fully charged battery will show an open circuit voltage of approximately 12.8 V, you would expect to see at least 12.8 to 13.0 at idle with a fully charged battery in the bike.  Run the rpm's up until the voltage stabilizes at the regulator setting, and you should see 14.5 +/- .2 volts.  While doing this, compare the real voltmeter readings to the poor excuse for a gauge on the bike for a real chuckle.

The best way to determine if you have sufficient alternator output for the total load of your bike plus accessories is through proper current output and current draw tests.  Any decent shop can do those tests for you.  I believe the specs call for testing at 3000 rpm, but you could also ask them to perform the test at idle to see how much deficit, if any, you have. 


Jerry

[Dash Riprock]

Doofus, I don't know how they wired it to be honest. They did not tell me and I didn't ask.

Jerry and tennis man...thanks for the detail about how to check. I'll give it a try and see if I'm worried for nothing.

[Harleypingman]

It's very easy to determine if the dealer installed the Motolights wiring harness per Motolight's instructions by removing the seat.  You should see a fuse holder close to the + battery terminal and a relay a few inches forward of the fuse holder.  I'm not a tech, but I did install the Motolights myself (very easy install with a fine harness supplied by Motolights in the kit) a couple of years ago, and my voltmeter doesn't move a bit at idle on my '04.

Have you added any other electrical accessories?  Also, there is a diagnostic protocol in HD's Electrical Diagnostic Manual (HD publishes a new one each year for each model family and your dealer's service dept. should have the one for your bike) for testing the stator and voltage regulator.  If they haven't dones these tests with the new stator, ask them to do it, and if they have, ask them what values they saw.   

Hope you get your issue resolved.

Carl

[tall drink of water]

Maybe consider adding LED lights that has less of a electrical drain?

[roadking71865]

I have all kinds of chit hooked up to my battery and it is always between 13 & 14.