charging problem...please help

[bud van houten]

on my way back from a 400 mile round trip this week, my bike died on me and the battery was drained. had it checked, and it was fine. i'm assuming my charging system has failed. can anybody give me a link or info on this. what should it read on a volt test? it's a 2000 intruder lc 1500. thanks, bud

[oklahoma_mike]

Originally Posted by bud van houten

on my way back from a 400 mile round trip this week, my bike died on me and the battery was drained. had it checked, and it was fine. i'm assuming my charging system has failed. can anybody give me a link or info on this. what should it read on a volt test? it's a 2000 intruder lc 1500. thanks, bud

10 volts is on the low side it should be around 14 if memory serves me from the last time I checked mine. Are you sure you didn't lose a fuse.

[moccasin]

Originally Posted by bud van houten

my bike died on me and the battery was drained. had it checked, and it was fine. i'm assuming my charging system has failed.

First of all, the charging system on the LC requires a good battery to function properly, and I'm assuming that you had your battery Load Tested and all was well (Load testing puts the battery under a simulated starter draw to determine how much voltage drop you have under a strain).

The LCs, and many other bikes have some inherent charging issues. At normal cruising rpms, you should be getting a reading of 13.5 to 14 volts, but for most LCs that's not a steady read, but a fluctuating one (don't ask me why), then she'll drop to 12 volts at idle. If your readings are different, then you should have your local Suzy shop check the Rectifier for damage (their equipment is much better suited to these type rectifiers than most home testers).

PROBLEM 1: When the Rectifier/regulator on an LC goes bad, instead of not allowing current to reach the battery, it GROUNDS itself, and SUCKS current from the battery! This not only warrants a rectifier replacement (aprox $200 for OEM) but often destroys the battery's ability to maintain a full charge.

PROBLEM 2: The electrical connections on the LC are not weather proof, and tend to grow a corrosion film on their contacts over time. The Rectifier connection, the Speedo connection, and the main fuse connections, as well as the battery terminals and starter ground should all be cleaned with an electrical de-oxidizing cleaner, coated with di-electric grease (your local autozone type store has both) and checked for tightness, for optimum current flow under the worst conditions. Check out my Electrical Tune up page in the garage section of www.moccsplace.com

PROBLEM 3: The LC comes from the box with a marginally effective charging system, designed for their smaller bikes which rarely ever see accessory draws to the system. It does a fair job of handling a factory bike, and a poor job of handling one that has had electrical add-ons. Add to that the tall gearing on the LC, which puts you at just over idle rpm at 65 mph, and you have a cruiser that ain't revving fast enough to stay at full charge.

FIX IT: There are a couple of ways to improve the charging system. One is cheap, the other is expensive, and they both work individually or together to bring your bike up to par with today's demands. You can run a "sister" wire directly from the rectifier to the main fuse block, bypassing the amp robbing wiring harness on the bike, providing a more constant and direct flow of current to the battery (see the Charging System Upgrade page in the MODS section of www.moccsplace.com )

Or you can spend some bucks and upgrade the stator and rectifier with offerings from Electro Sport USA http://www.electrosport.com/ The combination of stator and rectifier will run you around $300. Do NOT try to use an upgrade stator with a stock rectifier or you won't see any difference at all in performance of the system. However, you CAN use an upgraded rectifier on a stock stator and likely WILL see a difference.
For best results, do both fixes, but start with the electrical tuneup and wiring change, as it may be all the fix you need.

My best guess at this point is that you have a grounding rectifier, and only a high tech tester will show that. It sounds as though the system itself is draining your battery as you ride. Been there and dealt with that!!

Best of luck with your bike!
"Moccasin" Mike

[stp1971]

THANK YOU MIKE!!!!!!!! I appreciate the reply,, I am sure Bud will also!!!

[bud van houten]

mike and sean, thanks, a million. was planning one last trip for the season into arkansas and oklahome the 21st of this month, so need to get this fixed. this info will be great! thanks again, bud