LActrical alternator output
- waynedudes
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 6:14 am
- Location: Richmond, KY
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 with CSC Trike conversion
LActrical alternator output
I have a 94 GL 1500 with 85 amp LActrical alternator. It has been used very little since I installed it. That was a couple or three years ago. Output on bike digital gauge shows 12.8 to 13.1 while driving. I also checked voltage with my multi meter at home while running. It shows 13.2 to 13. 3 volts. But the voltage is also fluctuating up and down? Should I begin to be concerned that the alternator is about to fail? Should not the alternator output be 14, or closer to 14 volts than 13 volts? Battery when shut off shows 12.68 volts for the AGM battery. Thanks for any assistance.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3805
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
191K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
28K Miles - Contact:
Re: LActrical alternator output
If it were me, yes I would be concerned. From what I know of the LActrical alternators, they do not have a very good track record for longevity.
I've read far too many complaints about them and personally would not be inclined to buy one.
14.1 to 14.6 volts is more along the lines of what you should be reading at 2000 RPM. Fluctuating readings could be bad brushes or commutator.
I've read far too many complaints about them and personally would not be inclined to buy one.
14.1 to 14.6 volts is more along the lines of what you should be reading at 2000 RPM. Fluctuating readings could be bad brushes or commutator.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- waynedudes
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 6:14 am
- Location: Richmond, KY
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 with CSC Trike conversion
Re: LActrical alternator output
I figured out what the problem was. When I installed the LActrical alternator, a couple of years ago... I did not connect the wire, that is covered with a boot!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always wondered why I only had about 13.3 or less???? Now I know...
I was removing the alternator and noticed that the wire was not connected. As soon as I connected the other wire and fired it up, I have 14.1 or better at idle on my multi meter. Guess next time i will have to be a little more careful. Haaa
I was removing the alternator and noticed that the wire was not connected. As soon as I connected the other wire and fired it up, I have 14.1 or better at idle on my multi meter. Guess next time i will have to be a little more careful. Haaa
- MikeB
- Posts: 3805
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
191K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
28K Miles - Contact:
Re: LActrical alternator output
The wire on the rear of the alternator? Do you mean it was not tight? Because if it was not on there at all, you probably would not have done much riding at all and the battery would have been dead.waynedudes wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 3:33 pm I figured out what the problem was. When I installed the LActrical alternator, a couple of years ago... I did not connect the wire, that is covered with a boot!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always wondered why I only had about 13.3 or less???? Now I know...
I was removing the alternator and noticed that the wire was not connected. As soon as I connected the other wire and fired it up, I have 14.1 or better at idle on my multi meter. Guess next time i will have to be a little more careful. Haaa
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2019 5:15 pm
- Location: Waltham, MA.
- Motorcycle: 1999 Gl1500, 2007 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100, 2007 Silverwing 600.
Re: LActrical alternator output
Less than 13.8 and more than 14.5 - bad news. (on 3500-4000 rpm)
Full charged lead acid battery = 12.75 after 15 min sit without connection to mc.
Sorry for my poor English.
Full charged lead acid battery = 12.75 after 15 min sit without connection to mc.
Sorry for my poor English.