main circuit breaker
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,175
Likes: 12,746
From: South Carolina
The starter circuit starts at the battery, goes to the solenoid, across the solenoid contacts, then to the starter motor, through the starter case then back to the negative terminal on the battery.
The breaker is not in this path.
Even if the starter motor had a nuclear meltdown and created a dead short to ground, the current would not go through the breaker, it would take the path of least resistance, from battery to starter to ground.
No starter motor circuit draws power through a breaker, no motorcycle, car, lawnmower.
The purpose of the main breaker is to protect the wiring between the main breaker and the input side of the fuse panel, and the wiring between the main breaker and terminal 30 on the start relay.
Since these wires are before the fuse panel, the only thing to protect them is the main breaker.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 13, 2014 at 06:20 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
Dan89FLSTC
Your statement "The starter does not draw power through the breaker" is correct.
The breaker is however connected directly to the positive battery cable at the starter terminal therefor amps drawn from the battery, by the starter, are transferred to the breaker. The breaker prevents amps greater than 30 from entering the system when starting the bike. Check the attached schematic. Harley used this electrical design up through 06.
Your statement "The starter does not draw power through the breaker" is correct.
The breaker is however connected directly to the positive battery cable at the starter terminal therefor amps drawn from the battery, by the starter, are transferred to the breaker. The breaker prevents amps greater than 30 from entering the system when starting the bike. Check the attached schematic. Harley used this electrical design up through 06.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,596
Likes: 6,436
From: Honah Lee
My way of explaining this is the 30 amp main breaker or 40 amp on the newer bikes called a Maxifuse is simple the breaker for the charging system and the starter solenoid. The large contact pulled in by solenoid connects the starter directly to the battery. It has no fuse on the motor itself and pulls close to 160-200 amps. The starter motor in no way pulls thru this breaker. Just the solenoid magnet. In the following attachment, the area that says see wiring diagram includes the start switch, starter relay and 30 or 40 amp breaker and charging system. The 30 or 40 amp also power the fuse box smaller amp fuses. At above idle, (2000 rpm) voltage put out by stator and regulated to 14.8 or so volts forces voltage back to charge battery (12.8 volts)
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,175
Likes: 12,746
From: South Carolina
Dan89FLSTC
Your statement "The starter does not draw power through the breaker" is correct.
The breaker is however connected directly to the positive battery cable at the starter terminal therefor amps drawn from the battery, by the starter, are transferred to the breaker. The breaker prevents amps greater than 30 from entering the system when starting the bike. Check the attached schematic. Harley used this electrical design up through 06.
Your statement "The starter does not draw power through the breaker" is correct.
The breaker is however connected directly to the positive battery cable at the starter terminal therefor amps drawn from the battery, by the starter, are transferred to the breaker. The breaker prevents amps greater than 30 from entering the system when starting the bike. Check the attached schematic. Harley used this electrical design up through 06.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 19
From: Philippines
This is my last response on this thread. For those who disagree with me, try this experiment. Remove the regulator wire from the silver terminal of the breaker. Connect an Amp meter to the copper terminal of the breaker. Take a static reading then engage the starter.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,175
Likes: 12,746
From: South Carolina
Apologies about the sidetrack Matt....
An easy way to check the breaker would be to do a resistance check across the posts.
But they are cheap...I would replace it.
Sometimes they get weak and will trip at a low amperage, it can drive you crazy trying to find the problem.
An easy way to check the breaker would be to do a resistance check across the posts.
But they are cheap...I would replace it.
Sometimes they get weak and will trip at a low amperage, it can drive you crazy trying to find the problem.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I think I found my problem. I went for a ride and found that my voltage regulator plug was out. I was taking my first step and checking the circuit breaker just like you would check a fuse. After all the great responses here, it seems that the 30amp circuit breaker doesn't operate like a fuse and I cannot check it with a simple light test or anything. I'm going to deviate from checking the circuit breaker and like someone mentioned before check the charging system including the stator and regulator.
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Stage I
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: garner
I have power until I turn the ignition switch. When i turn the ignition switch all power shuts down. I then have to wait a while for it to start back. Now, I am not receiving any power to the motorcycle. It has been completely out for a few hours.