I wonder why....alternator light?

[offcenter]

I can't understand why a bike that has so many extras and is as expensive as the GL1500 was (around $19,000 in 1999!!!) didn't come with AT LEAST an idiot light for the alternator.
Many of us (including me) have added volt meters. But you can't ride with your eyes watching the voltmeter.
A simple bright red idiot light, high on the instrument panel where it will catch your eye, would be great to
let you know that the alternator ain't alternatin' BEFORE you kill your battery....which is exactly what happened to
me this past summer.
Anyone have any idea how to install a simple idiot light for the alternator?
As always, thanks in advance gang.

[MikeB]

For as little as $15, V&P Accessories sells just such an item.
http://www.vpaccessories.com/Altlight.jpg
http://vpaccessories.com/accessories.htm
Call: 1-800-671-2141 (Orders Only)

[offcenter]

Thanks Mike!
I just ordered one.
Their website is a little wonky so I hope they come through with it.

[MikeB]

V&P is getting a little bit long in the tooth. That's why I included their phone number. You could always call them as a follow-up on a weekday.

[CrystalPistol]

Kind of related, I recall one guy writing from Europe. He was doing a long ride and then a ferry ride which he shut it off for, then he found the battery was dead. He said his findings was that Solenoid A had welded itself which energized Solenoid B and his starter had just never stopped running ... but he didn't know it. He said the starter running constant had used up the battery but as long as the engine was running, enough current was produced to run the bike. His fix was a red LED wired to the starter + and - to come on only when the starter got power so he'd have a clue when the starter was running.

[MikeB]

He couldn't hear the starter when he turned off the key? Sounds like he had a clue but ignored it.

[CrystalPistol]

He couldn't hear the starter when he turned off the key? Sounds like he had a clue but ignored it.

If the battery was then dead, maybe not? I wasn't there.

[WingAdmin]

I can't understand why a bike that has so many extras and is as expensive as the GL1500 was (around $19,000 in 1999!!!) didn't come with AT LEAST an idiot light for the alternator.
Many of us (including me) have added volt meters. But you can't ride with your eyes watching the voltmeter.
A simple bright red idiot light, high on the instrument panel where it will catch your eye, would be great to
let you know that the alternator ain't alternatin' BEFORE you kill your battery....which is exactly what happened to
me this past summer.
Anyone have any idea how to install a simple idiot light for the alternator?
As always, thanks in advance gang.

You can see my install & review of the VP alternator light here: GL1500 Alternator Warning Light

[offcenter]

I placed an order with VP on January 3rd, that's 11 days ago.
Paypal took my money.
But so far I have not heard one peep out of VP.
No order confirmation, no nothing.
Anyone else dealt with them recently?

[MikeB]

It has been a while since I dealt with him but if I remember correctly I had to call them on the phone to remind them of the order. That's why I said they were getting a little bit long in the tooth and it might be a good idea to give them a call.

[offcenter]

Ok, thanks. I'll call tomorrow.

[offcenter]

Right after I posted yesterday, I sent VP an email.
Will miracles ever cease?
Today I got a confirmation that my order has shipped!
Amazing how that worked!

[MikeB]

Outstanding. You should have it in no time at all then.

[MikeB]

Did you receive your parts from V&P Associates? Let us know how the installation went if you did. Thanks.

[WingAdmin]

This is what mine looks like:

[MikeB]

I am mostly curious to know if user offcenter received his and if V&P Associates http://vpaccessories.com/ are still in business.

[offcenter]

Offcenter George here, and YES, I did receive my alternator light.
It came quite quickly too, about 3 days.
So to answer the question, yes, VP is still in business.
I haven't installed it yet, too many other things getting in
the way, like the blizzard we are now in the middle of.
But it will get installed before spring.

[MikeB]

That's great George. But sorry to hear about the blizzard. I hope it blows over quickly.

[offcenter]

That's great George. But sorry to hear about the blizzard. I hope it blows over quickly.

Holy hell, Batman!!
This blizzard is kicking our butts.
It started late Sunday afternoon. It's now late Monday night and it's STILL SNOWING!!
Must be nearly two feet so far, but it's hard to tell because of the drifting.
As of now, they are saying that it will still be snowing Tuesday morning!
This is the most snow we've had in this area in a loooong time!
ARRGGGGHH!!!! I can't take any more!!!

[gipsy42]

I just found this post in the Newsletter; it happens that several years ago my alternator (in Previous bike) went out leaving me in the route 200 mi from home. When back, after replacement of alternator, I simply wired a 2W bulb in series with the alternator exciter (did I tell you I'm a cheap guy) and fixed it in the rigthmost pocket of dash as an "Idiot Light" , (sorry, I have no pictures).
It worked as a charm.
Mario

[terryt]

I have just fitted one to my 1500 in the dash. Its a single light comes on with the ignition goes off when the engine is running. it will let you know when the alternator fails or if it is over charging. The seller is in the UK and will post

https://www.improvingclassicmotorcycles ... oducts.htm

I fitted the UCWL single red light in the dash as listed but instead of using a red lens i engraved ALT in the facia panel
Very easy to fit just two wires that i wired to the acc terminals

[Wildwilly018]

For as little as $15, V&P Accessories sells just such an item.
http://www.vpaccessories.com/Altlight.jpg
http://vpaccessories.com/accessories.htm
Call: 1-800-671-2141 (Orders Only)

Links won't work for me MikeB

[MikeB]

The link worked when I posted it. However now, their site is down.

[Wildwilly018]

I have never gone this far to add idiot light. Good idea tho. After mine leaving me sitting at an intersection at 5:30 am in the dark on the way to work a couple yrs ago, I just added a digital volts gauge. Not hard to see so i will see if it ever changes. Maybe one day I will add this.

[offcenter]

Today I Hooked up the alternator light kit that I received from V&P.
Since I already have the dash apart, installation was fairly straight forward.
Turned on the key, the light lit.
Started the engine, the light went out!
Zingo! I now have an alternator light.
Can't understand why a bike that expensive never
had one from the factory. There is a blank hole and
lens on the dash for it. But I'll bet they saved a
dollar on every bike by eliminating that light.
That's what caused me grief on my trip last year.
the alternator failed and I never knew it 'til the
battery died.