Alternator lite

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bikermike
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Alternator lite

Post by bikermike »

Yesterday i got my XII all back together... new... prog frt springs, prog rear shocks, new steering bearings, C/T on the rear, a Nexen, new E3 on the front. The bike has 51K on it. I had to retighten the steering bearings to take the wandering out of the bike... seems a bit differant handling setting up in a corner, but seems very stable one in the corner... going to take a bit of getting used to the way it handles... the bike has sat for a couple weeks and after i got it back together, the charging light is flickering at idle... is this a sign that the Alternator is dieing???? ater u get it off idle it is fine..... i dont recall that it has done that in the past. Tonite i am going to check Batt fluid level and make sure it is full ... any advice??? i am taking a long trip the 1st of sept and i sure dont want any issues
Thanks!!! Mike
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ekap1200
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by ekap1200 »

Mike, If its a standard batt, check the level and add distilled water to bring up to level. If the level is ok, wiggle the resistor, I have seen a few get corroded and break right at the leadin to the resistor. Hard to see sometimes thru the plastic. Gene K.
"Its not bad if you don't know something, but when you don't know you don't know; That's when your in trouble". Joe Place 1912-2008 (my grandfather)
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gearheadfla
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by gearheadfla »

The Batt. light is for the water level in the battery, not the alt. charging, when the alt stops charging you don't know until you dead in the water, ask me how I know (hint) my ROK roadside paid for itself that day. Some have added a volt meter to keep an eye on that.
Jim in Fl. 88 XII
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ekap1200
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by ekap1200 »

gearheadfla wrote:The Batt. light is for the water level in the battery, not the alt. charging, when the alt stops charging you don't know until you dead in the water, ask me how I know (hint) my ROK roadside paid for itself that day. Some have added a volt meter to keep an eye on that.

Sorry Mike, yes !!!! the alt light does not monitor the alt output. Get yourself some type of voltmeter if you plan on going on long trips. Gene Kap.
"Its not bad if you don't know something, but when you don't know you don't know; That's when your in trouble". Joe Place 1912-2008 (my grandfather)
bikermike
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by bikermike »

Thanks alot guys!!.... We are headed out west to Glacier Natl park
Ride Safe Mike
raynchk
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by raynchk »

Somewhere on the forum I read that the neutral will dim at around 700 rpm and brighten up at 900-1000. For me, this is a good way to tell the alternator is working. Probably not fool proof, but the price is right :wnk2:
bikermike
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by bikermike »

LOL... Thats the way i have quick check alternaters for yrs... highly scientific huh... but hey it works!!
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richardb, austin
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Re: Alternator lite

Post by richardb, austin »

neat idea that i had missed. thanks :thmup:
richardb, austin
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