Running lights running my battery down?

[Rapid Dog]

1981 R100RS - (stock charging system everything as it should be in good working order)

I bought one of those Kisan signal minder thingies that also makes your turnsignals running lights. I have a spankin' new battery that's kept charged on a trickler, but it seems there's too much draw.
Measured 11.5 volts at the battery after a short ride yesterday...

With all those lights on and the headlight/tailight, is that too much draw on the charging system?

[jimborbm65]

was it ok before ? what alterations did you do to any electrical system ? does the ammeter show a discharge when engine revving ?
You have to see if the lights brighten when revving the engine ,this shows some correct action by the alternator , but if the battery is poor ,even though new , then this is the culprit .

[Major Softie]

Hmmm, 12w, aren't they? If it's turning them all on, that's 48w. You have a 240w alternator. So, that is entirely possible. They are drawing 20% of your alternator's peak output ability. It's almost like adding a second headlight.

If you were to go to LED turnsignal bulbs (ones without resistors), your fancy new electronic flasher should work fine with them and it shouldn't impact your electrical system. I'm not sure where such lamps are available though.

[Ross]

Standard BMW alternator on a short run will not put much of a charge into the battery. From memory the engine has to be sitting at around 4k rpm before a good charge will go in.

[She'llbe]

I tried the LED bulbs in my turnsignals, without the resistors. Just as a test I changed one bulb on each side and the lights flashed twice as fast. I changed both bulbs on each side and the flasher unit wouldn't work. I think you need the resistors and they negate the saving of electricity.

[Deleted User 287]

I tried the LED bulbs in my turnsignals, without the resistors. Just as a test I changed one bulb on each side and the lights flashed twice as fast. I changed both bulbs on each side and the flasher unit wouldn't work. I think you need the resistors and they negate the saving of electricity.

This subject was just beat to death not two weeks ago: http://www.boxerworks.com/forum2/viewto ... f=1&t=2097

There are electronics that enable the LEDs to flash at a normal rate without the use of resistors.

http://www.customled.com/products/load_ ... alizer.htm

http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=467496

[Major Softie]

She'llbe, he Kissan Signal Minder IS an electronic flasher, that's why the suggestion.

[Rapid Dog]

...Ihave a charging problem, the rotor is suspect...just an update FYI.

[Zombie Master]

...Ihave a charging problem, the rotor is suspect...just an update FYI.

The rotor. Demand too much and it fails. There are better systems available.

[ME 109]

...Ihave a charging problem, the rotor is suspect...just an update FYI.

The rotor. Demand too much and it fails. There are better systems available.

I've been demanding 110% of every bit of my bike for the last 18 years.
Man does it show on my my wifes credit card.
No rotors tho' 'sept for the two on the front