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Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:30 pm
by 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?
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:50 pm
by 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 .
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:38 pm
by 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.
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:07 pm
by 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.
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:09 pm
by 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.
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:48 pm
by Deleted User 287
She'llbe wrote: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
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:19 pm
by Major Softie
She'llbe, he Kissan Signal Minder IS an electronic flasher, that's why the suggestion.
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:24 pm
by Rapid Dog
...Ihave a charging problem, the rotor is suspect...just an update FYI.
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:14 am
by Zombie Master
Rapid Dog wrote:...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.
Re: Running lights running my battery down?
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:27 am
by ME 109
Zombie Master wrote:Rapid Dog wrote:...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