Shadow Sabre electrical problems?

[lefevre54]

Does anyone have experience with an electrical short possibly draining my battery, its less than six months old?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by lefevre54

Does anyone have experience with an electrical short possibly draining my battery, its less than six months old?

While what you describe is possible....and seems logical....it is almost NEVER the case.

Was the battery fully charged before it was installed?
Have you tested the charging system?

Much more likely than a short draining the battery is the alternator not working right or a 6 month old battery going bad.

Do you have a battery charger? How about a multi-meter?

[lefevre54]

thanks for replying easy rider, yes the battery was charged fully by the dealership. I have not tested my charging system, but yes i do have a multi-meter. I consider myself fairly logical when it comes to mechanical, but have very little understanding of electrical. what would be my next step?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by lefevre54

, but yes i do have a multi-meter. I consider myself fairly logical when it comes to mechanical, but have very little understanding of electrical. what would be my next step?

OK, good but first you need a battery charger, cause the multi-meter tests require a charged battery.

Charge the battery overnight with a small automatic charger....battery out of bike or main cable disconnected.
Remove the charger. Let it sit for one hour. Battery voltage should be AT LEAST 12.6 Volts. If not, the battery is toast.
Let it sit for 24 hours. If voltage has dropped ANY, it is likely bad. Have it tested out of the bike.

With the bike running, at idle the voltage at the battery should be the same or a tiny bit higher than the battery itself. When revved to between 3.5K and 5K, the voltage should go up some.....at least 1/2 volt, probably more......so that would be 13.1 to 14 volts.

If you get this far, the next step is to visit a battery store for a professional test on the battery and charging system....usually free.

Only after all that should you consider looking for a drain when everything is supposed to be off. That condition is very rare.......except for when the operator leaves it locked in "park" with the tail light on !!

[lefevre54]

after charging overnight the meter read 13.1, the bike started, ran, and showed that the charging system was charging the battery.......I believe the next step for me is to take it in an have the honda shop run load tests? the funny thing is that i rode the bike in utah; 1300 miles in 5 days, trailered it back a day and a half, rode it 80 miles before encountering the problem?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by lefevre54

I believe the next step for me is to take it in an have the honda shop run load tests?

Maybe. How old is the battery? If it has removable caps, is the fluid up to snuff?

Sure, have it tested but not by a bike shop. Many people have had a bike shop tell them their battery is fine.......only to find out that it really isn't.

Go to a battery shop or just replace it.

OR.........let it sit a couple of days disconnected. Hook it back up. If it won't start or sounds weak, it's going bad.

[lefevre54]

the battery is 9 months old, will charge and let sit disconnected for a couple days. thanks

[lefevre54]

problem diagnosed as: stock charging system not set up to support the drain of 2 auxillary halogens (on light bar) all the time

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by lefevre54

problem diagnosed as: stock charging system not set up to support the drain of 2 auxillary halogens (on light bar) all the time

So, as it turns out, your original thought was pretty close............but instead of too much drain when turned OFF, there is too much when turned ON!

So, what's the "fix"? I'm betting you are trying to decide which of the choices is the least distasteful.

[omegajim]

the easiest fix would be to turn off the lights a few miles from home and allow the alternator a chance to charge the battery.

or learn to keep the charger handy.

[lefevre54]

originally the auxillary lights ran through a rocker switch; the switch went bad; consequently too much pull on battery. plan on installing another switch (of similar size and shape, couldn't find the exact match the first time.) I'll do a little fab work if necessary, thanks for assistance

[omegajim]

is the rocker switch original to the bike, or considerably newer?

I ask, because if too big a load is put through a switch, it can wreck the contacts.

[lefevre54]

the switch is several years old, not new.

[omegajim]

it is more than likely an automotive switch that was not able to handle the elements (rain) and the water corroded the contacts.

dig around at denniskirk.com or others to get a motorcycle switch. It will have a rubber insulating coating all over the switch for protection against water.