Charging system question
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Charging system question
On my 95 e-glide when I ride to work in the morning my volt gauge reads about 13-13.5 volts. After sitting in the sun all day in the 90 degree heat it will read in the 11-11.5 volt range. The needle will also swing with my signals. I have yet to do any testing but looking for some direction. I run my spots all the time. They do seen to draw a bunch of voltage. I have never had issue starting. I was thinking about just replacing my regulator, It is the factory one and with 70K looks horrible.
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Our 95 FLHT reads 13-13.5 volts at the gauge too, however when we put a good multimeter on the battery it shows 14-14.4 volts. We cleaned all teh terminals, grounds and other connections with no change. Conclusion: Harley volt meters are as accurate as their gas gauges. As long as it starts with no problem and keeps the battery charged then it is the "Normal" reading for your bike. Our gauge also moves wih the turn signal too, this is nornal in most Harley's of that era. We replaced the charging system with a 40 amp three phase and it went away. We did not replace the charging system because of the flicker, we replaced it because the 40 amp system was on sale!!
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On my 95 e-glide when I ride to work in the morning my volt gauge reads about 13-13.5 volts. After sitting in the sun all day in the 90 degree heat it will read in the 11-11.5 volt range. The needle will also swing with my signals. I have yet to do any testing but looking for some direction. I run my spots all the time. They do seen to draw a bunch of voltage. I have never had issue starting. I was thinking about just replacing my regulator, It is the factory one and with 70K looks horrible.
On these era bikes especially, the volt gauge is reading only what is at the "end" of the ACC circuit which is not heavily supplied, wiring-wise. The barely adequate (at best) ACC circuit is the reason your signals swing the voltmeter wildly. So as previously mentioned, the gauge likely isn't giving you a good reading, though I've found most HD voltmeters quite accurate when connected to a good, strong circuit.
There's a good number of threads with checking and options concerning this aggrevation but in short - you can either re-route connection of the voltmeter to the IGN breaker, and/or install a relay for the ACC circuit that will boost it's amperage capability. Either one will give the meter a chance show you what the overall charging system is doing.
Always check voltage at the battery first, then work your way back thru the stator test as George noted.
Three-Phase charging system? Now we know who's making the big bucks
Last edited by t150vej; Aug 14, 2009 at 05:25 PM. Reason: spelling
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Compufire aftermarket, great sytem, I think it freed up some HP too!
T150vej: Remember I said it was on sale, plus as a shop owner I know the boss and he lets me pay wholesale:-)!!
T150vej: Remember I said it was on sale, plus as a shop owner I know the boss and he lets me pay wholesale:-)!!
Last edited by miacycles; Aug 15, 2009 at 05:46 AM.