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[Firewalker]

I took my new, 9 miles, scoot out this morning and noticed that the voltage was pinned over to the right side of the gauge. I stopped on the side of the road and the dealership said that these rides are notorious for having bad gauges. I am going to have them put a meter on it in the next day or so and see what is going on.
Blaming the gauge sounds odd but was wondering if any of you have experiences with a similar issue.
Your help and comments are most appreciated.

[Twolanerider]

That's a notoriety I'd not... well... noticed.  It's also a lame excuse.  Even more so because it's potentially damaging and dangerous.  A lot of sensitive electronics won't like extended abuse by significant over voltage.  Those same components won't always fail all at once either.  They can weakend and fail over time.  So continued use now can cost you money later.

[FLHTCUSE7]

Harley also have crappy voltage regulators which in this case would boil your battery

[seeg8]

Hi, my new europe model is near (or direct at) the border at the right side of the gauge, too. I remember, that the electrical generator perform a Volt value up to 13,5 if the rpm > 2000.  

[grc]

Normal readings for regulated voltage are about 14.3 - 14.7 volts (14.5  +/-.2).  When you say pinned over to the right side, how many marks is it past the 14?  The last section of the scale is compressed, so it goes 14, 14.5, 15, then jumps to 16. 

Anyhow, the Harley volt gauge is one of the least accurate gauges on the bike.  Since none of the gauges are known for accuracy, that should give you an idea of how good the volt gauge is.  But I wouldn't just assume your gauge is wrong and continue to ride if it's in fact reading extremely high.  As noted by others, you could have a screwed up regulator allowing a true overvoltage condition that can raise all sorts of cain with the electronics on the bike.

If you can't get the dealer to handle it ASAP, borrow a DVOM (digital volt-ohm meter) from a friend or one of the auto parts stores that loans out tools, like AutoZone.  Connect the DVOM to the battery leads, or the pigtail for the Battery Tender if your bike has one, to read battery voltage, then start the bike and increase rpms to above 3000 rpms while observing the DVOM reading.  It should be close to 14.5, and if it's over 15 you definitely have a charging system problem.  Compare the reading to the bike gauge just for grins, to see how far it's off.  Also compare with the engine at idle, then shut the engine off and leave the ignition on and compare readings again.  This will give you an idea of the linearity of the gauge.  Mine reads .5 volts high at cruising speed, and almost a full volt low with the engine off.  Wonderful gauges, probably costs H-D about $2.00 for the set of four.


Jerry 

[danner55]

Firewalker,

Are you taking it to the dealer that installed your Fulsac baffles?

[Para Bellum]

Firewalker,

Are you taking it to the dealer that installed your Fulsac baffles?

    

[Firewalker]

Hi Danner55.... scary is it not.
Why do all of us have to keep teaching them. Are they not supposed to be the experts?

[danner55]

Ya! That's why we are here so we can help cover our own AZZEZ !