1997 GL1500SE, Alternator

[Shortys86Aspencade]

Hi, I have a 97 GL1500SE,
Problem #1: I replaced the alternator with a 90amp. When I first hooked it up it was showing 13Volts on my volt meter at idle. After a few weeks, now when I start it, it's putting out a little over 12volts at idle. As I ride at higher rpm's it seams to drop, like something is drawing it down. Wondering if something else in the charging system could be bad and causing this?

Problem #2: sometimes when I start my bike in the morning, my digital display is not working. Sometimes it will come on in a couple miles,
sometimes not at all. Several hours later when I leave work to go home it will be working but I have to reset my digital clock.

Could these issues be related???
Thanks,
Shorty

[MikeB]

Hi, I have a 97 GL1500SE,
Problem #1: I replaced the alternator with a 90amp. When I first hooked it up it was showing 13Volts on my volt meter at idle. After a few weeks, now when I start it, it's putting out a little over 12volts at idle. As I ride at higher rpm's it seams to drop, like something is drawing it down. Wondering if something else in the charging system could be bad and causing this?

Problem #2: sometimes when I start my bike in the morning, my digital display is not working. Sometimes it will come on in a couple miles,
sometimes not at all. Several hours later when I leave work to go home it will be working but I have to reset my digital clock.

Could these issues be related???
Thanks,
Shorty

The simple answer is yes they can be related.
The complicated answer is that there is an issue with your alternator and a separate issue with your digital display that has nothing to do with the alternator.

Question: What 90 Amp alternator did you install? I have heard that there are problems with some of the aftermarket alternators.

[Shortys86Aspencade]

It was an Arrow Head GL407.

[Shortys86Aspencade]

Hi, I have a 97 GL1500SE,
Problem #1: I replaced the alternator with a 90amp. When I first hooked it up it was showing 13Volts on my volt meter at idle. After a few weeks, now when I start it, it's putting out a little over 12volts at idle. As I ride at higher rpm's it seams to drop, like something is drawing it down. Wondering if something else in the charging system could be bad and causing this?

Problem #2: sometimes when I start my bike in the morning, my digital display is not working. Sometimes it will come on in a couple miles,
sometimes not at all. Several hours later when I leave work to go home it will be working but I have to reset my digital clock.

Could these issues be related???
Thanks,
Shorty

The simple answer is yes they can be related.
The complicated answer is that there is an issue with your alternator and a separate issue with your digital display that has nothing to do with the alternator.

Question: What 90 Amp alternator did you install? I have heard that there are problems with some of the aftermarket alternators.

It was an Arrow Head GL407, 90amp.

[MikeB]

I have never heard of them or read any bad press about them but that doesn't mean much really. They may be fine.
Did you test the alternator output with a good digital meter?
Did you get a warranty from the seller?
Can you return it if it is not performing properly?

[Shortys86Aspencade]

I have never heard of them or read any bad press about them but that doesn't mean much really. They may be fine.
Did you test the alternator output with a good digital meter?
Did you get a warranty from the seller?
Can you return it if it is not performing properly?

I'm going to check it tomorrow with a multi-meter. I'll have to look into the warranty situation.
Thanks for your help.

[AZgl1800]

I have never heard of them or read any bad press about them but that doesn't mean much really. They may be fine.
Did you test the alternator output with a good digital meter?
Did you get a warranty from the seller?
Can you return it if it is not performing properly?

I haven't either, just did a search to find the parent company.
the are headquartered in Maine, but that does not mean that are the actual Manufacturer.

https://www.arrowheadep.com/content/company.asp

They appear to be a very large Distributor of electrical products, specializing the "rotating" stuff.

The actual alternator may very well have been manufacturered in Saipan for all we know.
A phone call to them would alleviate a lot of questions.

[DenverWinger]

Most alternators need at least two wires to function, the big heavy cable that feeds current to the bike, and the little actuator connection that switches the voltage regulator "on". Are both connected? Most alternators won't output anything without the second connection.