electrical problem

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Apr 29, 2007 | 03:41 AM

locutus

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electrical problem

i have a 1991 electraglide. i have replaced the stator and voltage regulator. the battery is one year old. problem: when i applying the brakes. the voltmeter drops ot 11 volts. normal reading has been 13.2 with bilke runing and no accessories on. additional accessories (passing lights, radio)cauase the voltmeter to drop to about 13. sitting at a light with brakes on, voltmeter drops to 10. also i notice that the headlight dims slightly when i apply the brakes or the turnsignals are flashing. anyone have an ideas what's going on here? i thank you in advance for any advice you might have!

Apr 29, 2007 | 04:59 PM

EVOrider

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From: Russellville, Arkansas

RE: electrical problem

Could it possibly be a defective voltage regulator? Test the battery as well.

Are you using a multimeter to test the charging system or are you going by the mounted volt guage on the bike? The guage on the bike is not all that accurate....

It really sounds like the stator is not strong enough for the load that it is carrying. What AMP stator was installed?

Apr 29, 2007 | 06:01 PM

locutus

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RE: electrical problem

32amp. bought it from harley. my indy confirmed it was the correct one.

Apr 29, 2007 | 06:03 PM

wesd41

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From: Winslow, Arizona

RE: electrical problem

Do the lights dim and volts drop only at idle? What is your idle set at?

Apr 29, 2007 | 09:38 PM

BGHV65

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RE: electrical problem

I don't know if this will help but my stator went out last year, under warranty thank goodness, so I had it fixed and a new voltage regulator installed. The battery was 3 years old so I said, what the heck, buy a new one. I didn't buy an HD, I bought an aftermarket one. Welllll, about 2 weeks later my voltmeter started acting weird.Normally it would read14.2Vor so but it would drop down to about 10V, then go back up to normal. It did this while riding sitting still, whatever. It would fluctuate between 14V and 10V, not in any pattern, just random. Revving had no affect on it. This went on for 3-4 weeks and I was totally perplexed with what was wrong with it. The bike always cranked but I was afraid at some point the battery would not have enough charge to run or crank. I checked and double-checked every connection, VR, stator, etc. no luck. On a hunch, I put the old battery back in and the problem went away! That was last May and I'm still running the old battery with not problems. Oh, and the new battery checked "good" but must have had some sort of short or maybe vibration was causing the issues......I don't know.....

Moral is, don't "assume"new or barely used parts are good. I never suspected my 'brand new battery' but that's what caused my problem. Do all the checks, borrow a friends battery and try it. Process of elimination unless you feel like paying the stealer to research and fix it....GRRR!

Good luck!

Apr 29, 2007 | 09:43 PM

locutus

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RE: electrical problem

no, idle is 1000. if i rev it. the voltmeter goes upyo 13.5. while reving if i press the brake or turn signal it drops to 12. if i'm at a stop it goes to 11.5-10.

Apr 29, 2007 | 10:48 PM

wesd41

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From: Winslow, Arizona

RE: electrical problem

I think you have a bad battery. Try a basic load test on it. With the bike off, check the battery voltage with a meter (should be between 12.6 and 12.8). Then turn the bike on (don't start it, just turn the ignition on). Apply your brake so the brake light comes on, and keep it on for about 20 seconds. Shut the ignition off and recheck the battery voltage. If its lost 1 or more volts (reads in the 11.8 or lower range) you need a new battery.