That was odd....

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May 9, 2015 | 02:40 PM

#11

bluharley

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Road Warrior

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

I dunno how your bike is wired up, but my bike has exactly one relay. I can't see as a 88 would be much different.

My book has 6 listed, Main=30amp, and 5 15 amp: ignition, lights, accessory, radio, and constant. The main is under the right side cover, and I don't remember where the rest are.

May 9, 2015 | 04:07 PM

#12

Dr.Hess

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From: NW AR

Those are breakers, not relays. You should have one relay, the Start Relay, under the right side cover. I suppose technically the starter solenoid is a relay also.

May 9, 2015 | 04:13 PM

#13

screamn_eagle

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From: northern alabama

reading this thread reminds me why i use a mechanic...relay, breaker, i wouldnt know the difference....you guys make me feel so "duh"

May 9, 2015 | 04:24 PM

#14

bluharley

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess

Those are breakers, not relays. You should have one relay, the Start Relay, under the right side cover. I suppose technically the starter solenoid is a relay also.

I thought that thing under the right side cover was the main breaker/relay/whatever. So where is the main breaker if that is the starter relay?

May 9, 2015 | 04:44 PM

#15

bluharley

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From: Florida

This is a 30 amp, must be the main. The little black box I suppose it's the starter relay. I'd like to know where the 15 amp ignition breaker is.

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May 9, 2015 | 05:17 PM

#16

Dr.Hess

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From: NW AR

That's probably the main breaker. The black square thing is the starter relay. The ignition breaker should be under the radio inside the faring.

May 9, 2015 | 05:36 PM

#17

Dan89FLSTC

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From: South Carolina

Doc, some trivial info.... the solenoid is technically not a relay, because a solenoid performs a physical function, such as a opening or closing a valve, or extending and retracting a starter pinion gear.

Harley used some pretty big starter relays on some models in the `80s, they were the same units that Ford used.

These units are capable of carrying the current required to power a starter motor, but they only make an electrical connection, and don`t do any physical work, so they are technically just relays.

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 9, 2015 at 05:40 PM.

May 9, 2015 | 09:01 PM

#18

Dr.Hess

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From: NW AR

Not to belabor the point, well, maybe, but the solenoid while pushing the gear in or releasing it out on our bikes, also acts as a relay with a low current (if you call 10 amps "low") and high current side. Perhaps we should refer to it as "The Combination Starter Solenoid and High Current Secondary Starter Relay"?